Prior to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba closing the Chamber for the summer months and letting MLAs loose into their constituencies, something strange happened - our elected officials took a pay cut to the tune of $918. Admittedly, even yours truly didn't see this one coming, but all matters put before the Assembly must be dealt with prior to prorogation, including the thorny issue of MLA pay.

Many months ago, the government appointed an "independent" Commissioner to study MLA salaries, pensions and benefits. The final report went before the Legislative Assembly on May 19th and was wholly rejected by all members. The catch with reports of this nature - it does not allow politicians to cherry pick, hence the reduction in salary. In the report from Commissioner Backman, there was no recommendation for a salary increase in 2004, only a cost of living bump of 1.4%. The findings were rejected by an all-party committee, which passed a resolution noting "salary increases are not appropriate at this time." Backman revised his report and said the 1.4% should then be removed.

This unusual turn of events doesn't end there - Manitoba's MLAs passed Bill 55 that would ensure future compensation issues would be handled by an independent commissioner and the findings will be binding thereby removing the awkward task of MLAs voting on their own salaries. When all is said and done, this is a good thing and our MLAs should be commended for this move. In fact, their actions were based on a comment made by the CTF following the release of the recommendations. It was suggested that a company with expertise in the area of compensation should be hired and the findings be binding and come into force after the next election, accordingly putting the decision into the hands of the people as to whether or not their MLA deserves a raise.

The trick now of course is finding a company out there that is prepared to take on the onerous task of political compensation.

When the salary issue first came up late last year, the CTF made a number of recommendations to the Commissioner that would maintain Manitoba as a leader when it comes addressing compensation for elected officials. All of our recommendations were based on four basic principles: simplicity, transparency, accountability and fairness. By many of these standards, Manitoba's MLA compensation package is already consistent with these principles.

If changes are required, they should only be done to strengthen what is already in place. For example at the end of each fiscal year, MLA expenses should be published in the following areas: advertising, office maintenance, travel, entertainment and total spending. A similar accounting should be published for all Ministerial Offices as well.

With regards to MLA remuneration, tie it to a provincial weekly earnings average composite - this is somewhat akin to a performance measurement for legislators. The rate can go up or down depending on the health of the economy, and it is a reflection of the economic conditions experienced by the people paying their salaries.

Currently, MLAs are in the top 7.2% percent of all income earners in Manitoba. There is no doubt that citizens desire and deserve competent and talented women and men in elected public service. However, there is no evidence to support the argument that better pay and compensation will attract more qualified individuals to public life. While a competitive wage should be paid to our MLAs, one sincerely hopes that an over-riding sense of civic virtue and duty are the first and primary motives for Manitobans who want to serve as MLA.