VICTORIA: The BC division of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today repeated its earlier call for Premier Gordon Campbell and other Members of the Legislative Assembly to cut their pay. In the CTF's October 2001 pre-budget submission, the Federation recommended that if across-the-board pay cuts were enacted in government, provincial politicians should also take a cut in pay.

"While across-the-board pay cuts have not yet happened, and regardless of whether they happen, it's time for the Premier and his colleagues to set the example, especially given the necessity of cuts and layoffs already announced," said CTF-BC director Mark Milke.

Also recommended is a cut in the size of cabinet and a cut in the number of communications staff. And Milke noted that the CTF was still waiting for copies of contracts signed with deputy ministers by the new government and the previous government, a Freedom of Information request that is now almost one month overdue.

CTF recommendations:

Cut the salary of MLAs.

Cut all stipends - premier's and cabinet minister's - by the same percentage.

Revoke the $6,000 annual stipend given to committee chairs and enacted after the Liberals formed government. Look at such positions as a "volunteer" position for now.

Keep the above actions in place until the budget is balanced or until the next election.

Impose a reduced severance package payout on deputy ministers so no more "one year" payouts occur again as happened in November.

Reduce the number of cabinet ministers.

Reduce the number of communications staff - now at 270 - by more than the rumoured one-third reduction.

"The CTF agrees with and supports leaner government in British Columbia. The CTF has also recommended market-based comparisons for the civil service - a policy fair both for government employees and for taxpayers who must pay the salaries. As recommended before, the government should review all salaries with private sector comparisons in mind. And while some might argue that select MLAs might make more in the private sector, "political" salaries are in a different category, and political salaries and benefits for MLAs should be reduced and frozen until the budget is balanced or until the next election."