NDP calls for return of $42K going-away bribes for MLAs afraid of defeat

“Middle class New Brunswickers shouldn’t pay for Alward and Graham’s leadership failures” - Duguay

April 27, 2010

FREDERICTON – Weeks after the discovery of a secret pension deal for provincial MLAs, NDP leader Roger Duguay condemned another secret slush fund designed for retiring Conservative and Liberal MLAs. The $42,500 payouts have already been made to one Liberal and one Conservative MLA appointed to the Senate – a well paid job-for-life with its own generous pension plan. Five additional MLAs – three Liberals and two Conservatives – have already decided they cannot run for Shawn Graham or David Alward in the September 2010 election and are now eligible for the lump-sum payment. More could follow, but the bill to date is already $297,500.

NDP leader Duguay said, “While our province suffers a financial haemorrhage the Liberals and Conservatives add to our children’s debt burden with unjustified payouts. Middle class New Brunswick families are tired of politicians who tell us to tighten our belts while they dine out on our tax dollars. Secret deals like this are another reason why we need an NDP voice in the Legislature. These deals needed unanimous consent, and they got it from Liberals and Conservatives who care more about their own finances than our province.”

NDP Campaign Director Dominic Cardy said, “The NDP calls on these MLAs to do the right thing and refuse the $42,500. It’s not your money, you didn’t earn it, and New Brunswick needs every dollar to fix the mess your governments created. With the NDP back in the Legislature there will be no pay hikes, no pension add-ons, and no bonuses for MLAs. Politicians should not decide their own pay and benefits – they’ve shown they can’t be trusted with that responsibility. The NDP will call for an independent body to set the pay and benefits for politicians and political staff.”

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For more information please contact Campaign Director Dominic Cardy at 506 238 5550 or dcardy@nbndp.ca.