The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released estimates today on the transition payments to defeated and retiring city council members for both Edmonton and Calgary. The CTF also renewed its call for council to end the goodbye payouts.
“Losing an election is similar to not getting your contract renewed so the large cheques being given to defeated council members are inappropriate,” said CTF Interim Alberta Director Colin Craig. “We can’t forget that winning an election already comes with a tremendous perk – a four-year iron clad contract. That type of job security simply doesn’t exist in the private sector.”
The City of Calgary currently provides council members, who choose not to seek re-election or are defeated; two weeks pay for every year served (to a maximum of 52 weeks). In May 2017, a City of Calgary citizens committee (responsible for making recommendations on council compensation) urged council to terminate the transition allowances. Unfortunately, council rejected the idea.
In Edmonton, council members are given three weeks pay for every year served (to a maximum of 36 weeks).
Calgary Transition Payouts (Estimates):
| Council Member | Cause | Transition Amount |
| Andre Chabot | Defeated | $52,346 |
| Brian Pincott | Did not seek re-election | $43,622 |
| Richard Pootmans | Did not seek re-election | $30,535 |
| Jim Stevenson | Did not seek re-election | $43,622 |
Edmonton Transition Payouts (Estimates):
| Council Member | Cause | Transition Amount |
| Bryan Anderson | Did not seek re-election | $68,097 |
| Ed Gibbons | Did not seek re-election | $68,097 |
| Dave Loken | Defeated | $39,723 |
| Michael Oshry | Did not seek re-election | $22,698 |
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