Calgary Herald

Link MLA pay to budget: Smith

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Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith says MLA pay should be linked to the state of the provincial budget, calling Tuesday for a ban on any further discussion­s of compensati­on hikes until Alberta is deficit-free.

Smith said she will make such a motion next week at the all-party members’ services committee, which has been weighing retirement benefits for MLAs. Earlier this month, Progressiv­e Conservati­ve members of the committee proposed taxpayers cover 100 per cent of MLAs’ yearly RRSP contributi­ons ($22,970), up from the current 50 per cent. Smith balked at the idea, saying it essentiall­y amounts to an eight-per-cent pay hike.

“We think there should be a moratorium on any further discussion of MLA pay until we are actually back at a balanced budget,” Smith said.

Smith asked Premier Alison Redford on Tuesday whether she supported the RRSP increase, but the premier said it was up to the committee to decide what to do.

“We have been very committed to a transparen­t process with respect to compensati­on, and Albertans support that,” Redford said.

We think there should be a moratorium on any further discussion of MLA pay until we are actually back at a balanced budget WILDROSE LEADER DANIELLE SMITH

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