Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

B.C. Liberals call for MLA wage freeze amid rising costs for British Columbians

Stone introduced a private member's bill which called for a one-year wage freeze on MLA salaries, which next year could rise by up to 10 per cent since the salaries are tied to inflation.

Tourists aboard a horse and carriage ride pass by the B.C. Legislature.
Tourists aboard a horse and carriage ride pass by the B.C. Legislature. Photo by Chad Hipolito /PNG

As British Columbians struggle with the rising cost of gas, food and housing, provincial politicians should freeze their wages next year, B.C. Liberal house leader Todd Stone said Thursday.

Stone introduced a private member’s bill which called for a one-year wage freeze on MLA salaries, which next year could rise by up to 10 per cent since the salaries are tied to inflation.

Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

“It just isn’t right,” Stone said, for MLAs to receive up to an $11,000 wage increase “considering the significant sacrifices British Columbians are making. British Columbians expect their politicians, their elected officials to lead by example.”

Members of the legislative assembly make $115,045 a year, while cabinet ministers make $172,567. The premier makes $218,587 annually.

British Columbia’s consumer price index was up 7.3 per cent in August, the most recent figures available, compared to August 2021.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson said she’ll consider the proposal but at the same time criticized the B.C. Liberals for hypocrisy given that the minimum wages for the lowest paid workers did not rise for years when they were in power.

Robinson said many British Columbians will begin getting their inflation relief rebates this week through the climate action tax credit. The one-time rebate for low- and moderate-income British Columbians went out Oct. 5 and amount to $164 per adult and $41 per child.

NDP house leader Mike Farnworth said the proper channels to consider the wage freeze is the legislative assembly Management Committee which decides on salaries and wages.

The B.C. Liberal government instituted a wage freeze for MLAs from 2010 to 2013 in response to the global financial crisis.

kderosa@postmedia.com

More news, fewer ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.