CTF to Edmonton City Council: Throw Council Compensation report out and start again!
BackgrounderEDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the release of the final report of the Edmonton City Council Independent Compensation Committee by calling on Edmonton's city council to throw out the report and start again.
"This report is a gross insult to Edmontonians," charged CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig. "This report isn't fit to line a bird-cage, let alone be seriously considered by Edmonton City Council."
All told, the recommended increase to base salary, car allowance, RRSP allowance and the new flexible healthcare spending account will mean a 21% increase in compensation for city councillors and a 14% increase in compensation for the mayor alone, by CTF calculations.
Under this proposal, if the tax-free status and the various unaccountable allowances are considered, Edmonton city councillors will be earning the approximate equivalent of $103,080, while the mayor will earn the approximate equivalent of $192,171.
"These proposed increases to virtually every area of compensation are unwarranted, unnecessary, and a slap in the face of the average overburdened Edmonton taxpayer," continued Hennig.
In its submission to the committee, entitled "Fair & Transparent Council Compensation," the CTF recommended the one-third tax-free status be eliminated, council salaries not be increased arbitrarily, all non-receiptable, non-accountable allowances be rolled into the base salary, and the transition allowance be terminated.
"The whole point of linking council salaries to the Average Weekly Earnings of Albertans was to nullify ludicrous wage increases like the one currently proposed," stated Hennig.
The CTF also notes that of the 52 calls received by the Citizens Action Centre on the issue of council compensation, only one caller supported giving city council a raise in pay. Link to summary of calls
"The committee ignored not only all the CTF's recommendations but also the input they received from the citizens of Edmonton," concluded Hennig. "It's quite obvious that this mis-guided committee should have their report tossed out."