How is it when recommendations of an independent commission don't suit the premier he steps in to change the rules of the game The Electoral Boundary Commission (EBC) spent 18 months and $3 million to create a new map to distribute our representatives in Victoria based on population changes in the province. With clearly established rules, EBC's recommendations resulted in a net increase of two MLAs. These recommendations however, resulted in the loss of MLAs in some regions of the province. Not so fast - the premier stepped in and undermined the EBC. Now, instead of two more MLAs, the B.C. taxpayer might be funding eight more MLAs. Not only has an important independent process been made a mockery, more MLAs will cost the B.C. taxpayer big time.

A boundaries commission proposes revisions to the electoral map based on recent population changes after every second election. With the economy booming, people have moved to areas with jobs. So, the EBC redrew the electoral map, decreasing representation in areas people had moved away from and increasing representation in areas people had moved to. The uproar from the areas that lost MLAs caused the premier to say he wants no decrease in MLAs, but to hold to the principle of representation by population, he will further increase the number of MLAs in the south. This politically motivated spending increase will impose an even large burden onto the backs of B.C. taxpayers.

I'm sure you recall politicians of all stripes voted last spring to slap the B.C. taxpayer with a 30% pay increase and bring back gold-plated pensions. This incidentally, came from another independent commission, one the premier didn't see fit to amend.

How much will all these new MLAs cost us For each MLA, the base salary has gone up from $76,100 to $98,000, but more than 50% of the MLAs make more for extra duties, up to an extra $88,200 annually for the premier. MLAs get a capital city allowance of at least $4,575 per year and $19,000 per year to maintain a residence they own or $17,000 to rent a place in Victoria. What really adds to this, however, is the extra $119,000 per year constituency allowance MLAs get to manage their constituency office in their home riding. An MLA costs the taxpayer about $240,500 per year. Eight extra MLA's will cost B.C. taxpayers about $1,925,000 per year, almost $1.5 million higher than what just two would have cost. That doesn't include the future liability created by the gold-plated pensions for the new MLAs of upwards of $6 million, or the one-time payout of up to 15 months of basic salary as transitional assistance (as high as $122,500), or the $9,000 for career counseling. Let's also not forget about the cost of physical changes to the already overcrowded legislature. The list just goes on and on.

If the premier is going to respect the results from one independent commission, he should respect the results from all. The EBC used clear guidelines to reach a rule-based decision that was both democratic and reasonable for the taxpayer. Independent commissions should always be free from political interference, not just when it is convenient for the politicians. This interference sets a dangerous precedent. We should stick with the EBC's original conclusion.