MLAs could see pay cut by next week: Kenney

EDMONTON – Premier Jason Kenney and the United Conservatives are making good on a promise during their election campaign.

During a live Facebook Q&A, Kenney said there will be a vote next week to reduce salaries for himself and MLAs.

The vote will take place during a meeting for the Legislature Pay and Benefits Committee.

“I fully expect, that the United Conservative majority on that committee will introduce a motion and will pass a motion on August 6 to reduce the salary of the Premier by 10 per cent and the salaries of the MLAs by a further 5 per cent,” said Kenney.

Kenney noted there have been a few changes in politicians pay at the Legislature since the late Jim Prentice was in office.

READ MORE: Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and cabinet to take pay cut

“A five-year freeze plus a five-point reduction, another five-point reduction coming next week and for me another 10 point reduction. Effectively, the Premier will be paid 15 per cent less than the Premier was paid 5 years ago.”

The Pay and Benefits committee will also look at compensation for MLAs who are travelling to Edmonton regularly. Kenney said while it’s reasonable for members to be reimbursed for travel expenses, he said many are double-dipping.

“Up until now, MLAs could claim both mileage and get a gas card to basically get reimbursed effectively twice for automobile expenses. I think it’s totally legit for MLAs travelling to Edmonton to get reimbursement for the travel costs like most people would travelling a great distance to go to work for a few days but they shouldn’t be able to charge twice for that.”

Some of the other topics Kenney discussed on his Facebook stream included government promises to eliminate red tape for business and the ongoing legal fight with the federal carbon tax.