• Applauds Liberal & NDP leaders for clear position on pay issue
• Seeks clarification from Premier Ernie Eves

Letter to Ontario Integrity Commissioner

Toronto - The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Ontario director, John Williamson, sent a letter today petitioning Ontario's Integrity Commissioner, the Honourable Coulter Osborne, to present his recommendations on MPP pay to the public before the provincial election. Mr. Justice Osborne was recently asked by Premier Ernie Eves to review a proposed 25% pay raise that MPPs are scheduled to receive after the election.

"Your review is necessary to provide guidance on the matter of MPP pay. No doubt, you would prefer to operate in an environment without deadlines being imposed by outside events," Williamson wrote. "Yet you have been asked to reassess the salary level of our elected officials on the eve of an election. Waiting to table your report until after the vote will plunge us back to the days when lawmakers vote themselves pay raises without any oversight from the public. Such an outcome is wholly unacceptable to Ontario taxpayers."

Over the past three years, MPPs received a 9.3% salary increase. After the election, their pay is scheduled to jump by another 25% - for a total 36.6% pay package increase. "A figure," the letter states, "that is completely out of line with public expectations."

The CTF's main recommendations to the commissioner are to scrap the 25% pay raise and provide MPPs with annual pay increases linked to any rise in the cost of living using either the Consumer Price Index from the previous calendar year, or a provincial weekly earnings average composite. Williamson's letter also outlines several other proposals, including a sunshine policy of posting MPP salary levels and allowances on the legislative webpage. It also asks Mr. Justice Osborne to clarify whether or not annual pay increases should apply to indemnities.

New Democratic leader Howard Hampton has stated no additional pay is in order. Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty recently wrote the 25% pay raise should not go forward and salary increases should not exceed the increase in the cost of living. Premier Eves has refused to state publicly what level he believes is appropriate. "[The premier] will need to clarify his position to taxpayers," Williamson said.