Halifax, NS: As the Nova Scotia legislature resumes today, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) renewed its call to scrap the $38 daily payment to MLAs for simply “showing up to work.”
“We elect and pay our MLAs to do their jobs, and part of that job is to show up to the legislature when it is in session,” said Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “They should not receive extra pay just for doing the job they were elected to do.”
Eliminating “show up to work pay” was one of the recommendations in a report on MLA pensions and pay released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in September 2010.
To demonstrate how absurd these payments are, Leonard Preyra the MLA for Halifax-Citadel Sable Island is eligible for a $38 per diem per day even through he represents the riding that includes the legislature. His commute from his office to the legislature is just a few city blocks.
“The Premier says that he’s willing to review of MLA pensions, we’d like to see him move forward with that review, but also include a look at all MLA entitlements,” added Lacey. “It’s the only way to clear the air after the MLA expense scandal.”
The government reduced the per-diem in spring 2010, from $89 to $38, as part of its accountability measures.
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