Politicians are severely underpaid.......
- Thread starter CDN87
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Last I checked our pres makes a Mil a year and a percentage every year til he dies! The man dont deserve a red cent......back in the old days you volunteered your time now its a 6and 7 figure salary.
Well, they also get large accounts for travelling, accomodations, meals, political functions and family travel expenses, so no, I disagree, especially considering the pensions they receive, the number of days and hours they actually sit, and the fact that for many, that politicing is a second job after retirement and pension (former teachers, lawyers, doctors, business owners all seem to be there).
Being a politician is no longer about being a representative voice of your riding, it's about having $300,000 in your bank account to run a campaign that is ensured to pay it back, plus sizeable dividends, if you succeed. Sad to say, much of it perpetuates the class and wage divide, and serves only a small proportion of those it claims to. No wonder most people don't give a rat about politics.
Being a politician is no longer about being a representative voice of your riding, it's about having $300,000 in your bank account to run a campaign that is ensured to pay it back, plus sizeable dividends, if you succeed. Sad to say, much of it perpetuates the class and wage divide, and serves only a small proportion of those it claims to. No wonder most people don't give a rat about politics.
And from all of the information I can find, "the annual salary of each Member of Parliament, as of 2006 is $147,700; members may receive additional salaries in right of other offices they hold," for instance, the Speakership, or any official titles.
Considering in 2000 their salary was less than $68,000, that's a pretty big increase. Meanwhile I was getting all pumped up to be getting an extra dime an hour after years of minimum wage freezes.
Considering in 2000 their salary was less than $68,000, that's a pretty big increase. Meanwhile I was getting all pumped up to be getting an extra dime an hour after years of minimum wage freezes.
That's more than about 98% of the population makes per year, including firefighters, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses, soldiers, and pretty much anyone not the CEO of something. It's pretty gross is what it is. Factor in the goodies and it's downright sickening.
Politicians are goosing us. It's a part-time job and the poseurs know that. If they'd craft effective legislation they wouldn't need to come back each year and revisit what they've done. It's the equivalent of the local works crew repaving the road outside your house each and every summer. Politics attracts hacks and hangers-on and general riffraff. We need better people, smarter people and, most importantly, more responsible people involved. Whatever they get paid now it's too much.
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]So what does a Canadian MP make now?
The base salary for all MPs is $69,564. As well, each MP has a non-taxable expense allowance of at least $22,950 (it may be higher, depending on the MP's riding). MPs also get a housing allowance of $12,000 for accommodation in Ottawa .
On top of their base salaries, some members of parliament receive extra pay:
[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Other members of parliament, such as chairs of committees and party whips also receive extra compensation on top of their base salaries.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]So you can see that the Prime Minister would get about a hundred and ninety thousand a year. A lowly backbencher would get over a hundred thousand a year. I think they are doing pretty well.
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The base salary for all MPs is $69,564. As well, each MP has a non-taxable expense allowance of at least $22,950 (it may be higher, depending on the MP's riding). MPs also get a housing allowance of $12,000 for accommodation in Ottawa .
On top of their base salaries, some members of parliament receive extra pay:
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Prime Minister[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$75,582[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Cabinet Minister[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$50,286[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Secretary of State[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$37,715[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Leader of the Opposition[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$53,040[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Other Party Leaders[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$31,820[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Parliamentary Secretary[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$11,322[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]Speaker of the House[/FONT] [FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]$53,040[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans serif]So you can see that the Prime Minister would get about a hundred and ninety thousand a year. A lowly backbencher would get over a hundred thousand a year. I think they are doing pretty well.
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I find it a sad reflection of things when most hockey players in this country make more than the PM. However, I'm also of the believe that all jobs are of equal importance and salaries should reflect that....the garbage man is just as important as a doctor who is just as important as a welder who is just as important as a politician who is just as important as a farmer. We need everyone and their contributions to create the society we have, and I believe salaries should reflect that. Again, that's my personal opinion.
There is a lot in what you say, but the law of supply and demand determines the salaries of athletes and entertainers, as well as business leaders. If we want good people in politics, we have to pay a competitive wage.
Thanx...
I dissagree, there enough people that want to be politicians, the pay is not that important. In fact I would assert that if the pay was lower, we might actually find more altruistic folk joining the fray.#juan said:
Thanx...
I dissagree, there enough people that want to be politicians, the pay is not that important. In fact I would assert that if the pay was lower, we might actually find more altruistic folk joining the fray.
If I own a business, I want the best man I can find to run it. I see no reason to accept less in our politicians. Running a country isn't much different from running a big business. I would pick a successful business man to run the country every time. In this dog eat dog world, altruistic doesn't cut it.
Hmmm, I can see your point, that doesn't explain Dion all to well though.
If I want good welders with loyalty, loyalty can be bought.
Get that? If we had more altruistic people incharge, would there be such a divided system?
Seeing as you would stated "I would pick a successful business man to run the country every time.", I find your distain for Harpo and support of Dion puzzling???
Dion isn't the guy I would have picked. Believe it or not, I have on occasion, voted for other than Liberals........................doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference........In my riding the NDP get in regardless of who I vote for.