-- CTF blasts process that led MPs to make backroom deals leading to pay increase --

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has blasted MPs for giving themselves a pay hike without any public input and completely discarding the work of the Blais Commission on MP compensation.

"The Blais Commission was launched hours before the August long weekend last summer and MPs padded their pockets just hours before they were scheduled to leave this summer for the BBQ circuit," stated CTF Federal Director, Walter Robinson. "The spectacle of MPs making backroom deals, ramming this legislation through the House and approving it by anonymous voice vote is cowardly in the extreme."

"While the Blais Commission recommendations were not perfect, they did represent a process that was arm's length from Parliament. But our MPs have shown a great contempt for this process and taxpayers by discarding the majority of Blais' work in favour of perpetuating a clouded, hypocritical and unfair system of compensation for federal politicians," added Robinson.

The CTF reiterated its call for transparency, simplicity, accountability and fairness in the compensation package for federal politicians.

"MPs have padded their pockets at a time when many Canadians still languish under wage freezes. MPs continue to pass one set of laws for taxpayers but exempt themselves from these laws through the continuation of their tax-free allowances. And MPs continue to profit from a gold-plated pension plan that would be illegal for regular taxpayers," said Robinson.

"And MPs wonder why Canadians hold them in such low esteem Their actions yesterday were.