New Democrats pledge to cut Supersized MLA pensions and pay

FREDERICTON – New Democrat Leader Roger Duguay and NDP candidates today launched the party's election campaign by signing individual pledges to fight supersized MLA pay and pensions.

“This election is an opportunity for the people of New Brunswick to elect a strong NDP voice back to the Legislature to stand up for middle class families,” Mr. Duguy said. “The NDP 20-50 Pledge is an example of how New Democrats in the Legislature will be different than the other political parties. New Democrat MLAs will lead by example. Real leaders do not give themselves an 85% pension increase when the province has a huge deficit and front-line services like health care and education are under threat.”

The New Democrat 20-50 Bill will reduce MLA salaries by 20% and pensions by an average of over 50%. If the New Brunswick election results in a minority government, passing this bill will be a non-negotiable condition of NDP support for another party in the Legislature.

The 20-50 Pledge adds to the 20-50 Bill by committing every New Democrat MLA to voluntarily take a 20% pay cut even if the 20-50 Bill is not passed. New Democrat MLAs will donate 20% of their after-tax income to a caucus fund that will be donated to charity.

“We are launching our election campaign with this pledge to show the clear difference in the priorities of New Democrats, compared to the Conservatives and Liberals,” Mr. Duguay said. “Mr. Alward and Mr. Graham showed their priorities when they voted to supersize their pensions during the flood of April 2008. My priorities, and my team's priorities, are fiscal responsibility, health care, education, and leading with actions rather than just words.”