CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

To support businesses, entrepreneurs

Barnes wants politicians to take a temporary pay cut

Dec 9, 2020 | 11:08 AM

MEDICINE HAT AB – Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes is calling on Alberta politicians to take a temporary pay reduction to show support for small- and medium-sized businesses in the province.

In a letter released today, Barnes says the COVID-19 pandemic and business restrictions have caused tremendous financial and business uncertainty and risk.

Jason Kenney’s office has responded to Barnes’ letter, saying the premier already took a substantial pay cut, as did ministers and MLAs.

“Combining the most recent cut with the Prentice-era reduction, the Premier and MLAs have taken an approximate 15% and 10% cut respectively,” spokesperson Christine Myatt.

In addition, MLAs declined cost of living/inflation adjustments and political staff also recently took a pay cut, says Myatt.

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The full letter from Barnes is below.

Alberta families, communities and free enterprise are facing some of the most trying circumstances in Alberta’s history. The covid-19 virus and lockdown have caused tremendous financial and business uncertainty and risk. Alberta was built on the values of self-reliance, hard work, risk taking, sharing, fairness and equity.

In solidarity with Alberta small and medium business and seeing them come through the pandemic and lockdown, and in recognition of the financial impact that the new measures taken today by the Province will have on the entrepreneurs of this province, I am calling on my colleagues; all Alberta politicians, including Alberta’s 34 Members of Parliament to take an immediate 20 % pay reduction for the next 6 months. I also call for all Government of Alberta bureaucrats making more than MLAs ($145,000) to accept the same 6 month, 20 % reduction in gross pay. I call for Alberta politicians and bureaucrats to show support for Alberta’s hardworking, risk-taking, threatened private sector.

I am grateful to represent the people of Cypress-Medicine Hat and Alberta since 2012. Together we will make Alberta the freest, most prosperous place while continuing in the caring traditions of our grandparents.