Federation announces full time Atlantic Canada presence

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HALIFAX:  The major finding of a new report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) shows MLA pensions plans are costing Nova Scotian taxpayers millions. Analysis shows taxpayers pay $22 for every $1 contributed by the pensioner. In total, MLA pensions cost taxpayers approximately $11 million each year.  

“At a time when the provincial government is running huge deficits and raising taxes, it’s hard to justify excessive pension plans for politicians”, says new CTF Atlantic Canada Director, Kevin Lacey.

The report makes three major recommendations:

• Replace the current MLA pension program with an RRSP style system and reduce the taxpayer to MLA contributions from 22:1 to 1:1.
• Create a citizens panel of regular, randomly selected Nova Scotians to examine MLA pay and benefits, rather than relying on the former politicians who’ve been hired to do the last few reports.
• Pass a new law that would ensure any MLA found guilty of a criminal offence related to their job would retroactively lose all eligibility for severance and pension payments.

Click on the link to view the full report: Report on Nova Scotia MLA pensions, salaries and expenses. Sign our petition: Reform the Nova Scotia MLA Pension Plan.

The two MLAs who resigned after the Auditor General’s report are currently eligible for pensions of approximately $50,000 per year.

“Any MLA who abuses their position while in office, doesn’t deserve the generousity of taxpayers. The legislature should move quickly to ensure that if MLAs are criminally convicted as a result of the expense scandal, they won’t be entitled to their severance and pension programs,” added Lacey. 

Troy Lanigan, President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation also announced the organization is expanding by adding a full time presence in Atlantic Canada.

“This past year, Nova Scotia has seen MLAs abusing expense limits, record deficits and increased taxes. We have long wanted to establish a presence in the region and feel regional demand coupled with the occasion of our 20^th anniversary has made the timing perfect” said Lanigan.  “We promise to be a watchdog with a bite every bit as fierce as our bark.”

Kevin Lacey, has been appointed the new Atlantic Canada Director for the CTF.