New legislation tabled late yesterday proposes a new pension plan and a 35% pay raise for MPPs, angering taxpayer advocates.
“While families are tightening their belts and the province sinks deeper into debt, Ontario politicians are stuffing their own pockets,” said Nicolas Gagnon, communications director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “They’re voting themselves a raise and a taxpayer-funded pension, and they expect Ontarians to just smile and pay for it.”
MPP base salaries will increase from $116,550 to $157,450, costing taxpayers at least $6 million in the first year, plus ongoing pension expenses.
That number is higher for those with a cabinet post, and the premier, with the latter receiving an increase from $209,000 to about $282,000. Cabinet ministers would pocket an additional $58,000, bringing their total to around $224,000, before taxes.
Hellbound and Down 