National

B.C. cabinet in line for 'pay raise': Opposition

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Feb, 2022 05:34 PM

VICTORIA - The Opposition B.C. Liberals say cabinet ministers stand to gain 10 per cent on their salaries that's normally withheld when the provincial government posts a deficit budget.

The Liberals say the New Democrat government's budget includes a proposed amendment to the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act that would give ministers the extra pay despite a deficit.

Liberal house leader Todd Stone says while people in B.C. are struggling with rising costs, Premier John Horgan and his cabinet ministers are about to give themselves pay raises.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson defended the proposal, saying the 10-per-cent holdback could be viewed as a deterrent to fund programs and policies that affect the budget.

Horgan's annual salary is about $211,000 a year, while cabinet ministers are paid about $167,000, but the 10 per cent that is withheld is only on the portion of their incomes that relate to their cabinet positions.

Horgan gets about $100,000 on top of the $111,000 salary paid to members of the legislature, while cabinet ministers get about $56,000.

"Fighting unaffordability is not one of the priorities of this budget," Stone said in the legislature. "But what was one of the priorities: making life more affordable for the premier and for NDP cabinet ministers."

Robinson replied: "This measure, Mr. Speaker, it sent the wrong message. It prioritizes austerity and cuts over investment."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Mask mandate returns in British Columbia

Henry says about 75 per cent of B.C. residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but that number needs to be higher as the Delta variant drives up case counts, putting those who are unvaccinated at greater risk of contracting the virus.

Mask mandate returns in British Columbia

Trudeau mum on U.S. Afghan deadline ahead of G7

Trudeau joined a special virtual meeting of the G7 leaders Tuesday on the crisis in Afghanistan and President Joe Biden is expected to face calls from some fellow leaders to extend the U.S. military commitment to the country beyond his Aug. 31 deadline.

Trudeau mum on U.S. Afghan deadline ahead of G7

COVID-19 plan unveiled for B.C. schools, students grade 4 to 12 required to wear masks in school when classes return in September

Students grade 4 to 12, staff, teachers, visitors and administers will be required to wear masks in school when classes return in September in BC. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says it will be full, in person learning. The mask mandate is for indoor spaces, like last school year. Extra curriculars will be back.

COVID-19 plan unveiled for B.C. schools, students grade 4 to 12 required to wear masks in school when classes return in September

Number of active wildfires in B.C. remains at 250

Fire information officer Taylor Colman says crews are seeing between three and five fires start each day compared with about 40 in July. She says most of the wildfires of note — including White Rock Lake at about 810 square kilometres and Lytton Creek at 845 square kilometres — have not seen much growth.

Number of active wildfires in B.C. remains at 250

Wildlife another B.C. wildfire casualty: expert

Scientists are most worried about old-growth forests in fire areas, which are home to the Canada lynx, the marten, fishers, caribou and northern goshawk, she said.

Wildlife another B.C. wildfire casualty: expert

Mountie in Kelowna, B.C., charged with assault

The prosecution service says in a statement that Const. Lacey Browning faces one count of assault after a wellness check in Kelowna on Jan. 20, 2020. A civil lawsuit was settled this year between Browning and Mona Wang, who was a nursing student at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus.