MLA

MLA Ron Casey backs Premier Redford on re-engaging Albertans

Less than four months has elapsed since the Alison Redford-led provincial Conservatives regained a majority government in Albert’s legislature, but Banff-Cochrane MLA Ron Casey is confident the party’s leader is moving the province in the right direction.

The former Canmore mayor and rookie MLA said he has adapted to his new role as chair of the rural caucus within the party and his experiences as both mayor and town councillor provided the necessary experience. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Severance packages and tax-free salaries scrapped by Alberta government

Local MLA Shayne Saskiw says the steps made by the PC government in implementing 13 of the 15 recommendations laid out by retired Supreme Court Justice Jack Major are a step in the right direction, but insists the Wildrose party will fight “tooth and nail” to ensure the proposed defined pension plan for MLAs does not become legislation.

Last week, in conjunction with the first session of Alberta’s 28th legislature, house leader Dave Hancock announced Premier Alison Redford’s government approval of most of the recommendations laid down by Major in his written report on salaries paid to Alberta politicians. Redford had originally pledged to accept every one of Major’s recommendations around MLA pay. However, immediately following the 327-page report’s publication, the premier announced she would not accept the recommendation for an increase in her salary to $335,000 (a raise of $124,000).

 

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Justice recommends scrapping controversial ‘golden handshake’

Defeated local MLA Ray Danyluk could be walking away from his years in the public eye with an estimated half a million dollars in severance pay, but future retiring or defeated MLAs may not be getting as hefty transitional allowances if new recommendations on MLA compensation are passed.

Last week, an independent report conducted by retired Supreme Court Justice Jack Major was released, outlining several recommendations regarding MLA salaries. In his 327-page report, Major made three substantial recommendations regarding MLAs’ transition allowance, the tax-free portion of their salaries and implementing a new pension plan similar to the one cut by former premier Ralph Klein in 1993. Read the full story at the St. Paul Journal.

Wildrose, NDP and Liberal candidates weigh in on MLA Transition Allowances

A review committee fronted by Justice John Major is currently collecting data to determine whether the severance package, or transition allowance, given to MLAs when they leave office is justifiable, which has prompted local opposition candidates and incumbent PC candidate Ray Danyluk to speak out on the issue. Read the full story at The St. Paul Journal.