National

Opposition BC Liberals call for MLA pay freeze

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Oct, 2022 01:58 PM

VICTORIA - The Opposition BC Liberals are calling for an all-party pay freeze as a show of solidarity with people struggling to make ends meet during inflationary times.

Liberal house leader Todd Stone says members of the legislature could be in line for a salary increase in April of 10 per cent or more, amounting to raises of at least $10,000.

He says he will table a private member's bill this month that proposes a one-year salary freeze to show the people of B.C. that politicians understand the economic sacrifices families are making across the province.<

The @BCLiberalCaucus thanks the @bcgreencaucus for supporting our call today to freeze MLA salaries for the coming year. @SoniaFurstenau: "It demonstrates a level of understanding, recognition and leadership that's needed." Over to the NDP's @mikefarnworthbc & @selinarobinson https://t.co/FAiPIbYkLm
— Todd Stone 🇺🇦 (@toddstonebc) October 6, 2022

The B.C. legislature website says the basic annual MLA salary this year is $115,045.93, while Premier John Horgan's salary is $218,587.27.

B.C. MLA salaries are tied to changes in consumer price index, which currently is up about eight per cent in the province.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson did not immediate indicate if the government will support Stone's bill, but said the New Democrats have been implementing cost-saving measures including free bus services for children under 12 years and child-care fee cuts.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Boosting GST rebate appropriate: experts

After months of mounting political pressure from the NDP to help low- and modest-income Canadians facing a rising cost of living, the federal government officially announced on Tuesday it will double the GST rebate for six months. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced the federal government will expand eligibility for the one-time top-up of $500 for the Canada Housing Benefit available to renters.

Boosting GST rebate appropriate: experts

Long lineup in London as queen lies in state

Equipped with sleeping bags, books and backpacks of food, they formed a queue that was nearly four kilometres long as of 6 p.m. local time. With Westminster Palace silhouetted across the river, people waited patiently as the line wound its way past the London Eye and across Lambeth Bridge.

Long lineup in London as queen lies in state

Northeast B.C., blaze scanned to confirm perimeter

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the scan was done late Tuesday. It will also be used to identify hot spots on the east flank of the 287-square kilometre wildfire, nearest to the W.A.C. Bennet Dam and the evacuated community of Hudson's Hope.

Northeast B.C., blaze scanned to confirm perimeter

Man fatally shot in Burnaby, B.C., attack

A statement from Burnaby RCMP says the attack happened just after 11 p.m. Tuesday along a busy stretch of Hastings Street near Confederation Park. The unnamed victim died at the scene.

Man fatally shot in Burnaby, B.C., attack

Reward doubled to $500K for B.C. gondola vandalism

It comes as RCMP reveal more details about their investigation and share a photo of a suspect who may have been responsible for cutting the cable on the Sea to Sky Gondola twice, in 2019 and 2020.

Reward doubled to $500K for B.C. gondola vandalism

Schools not to blame for high COVID rates: doctor

Dr. Bonnie Henry has been criticized by some parents, advocacy groups and health-care professionals who say a major jump in infections occurred during the school year among children under age 10.