TORONTO - The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today reacted to the introduction of a bill at Queens Park that would increase the pay of Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) by 24 per cent.

"Premier Dalton McGuinty is again showing complete disregard for taxpayers by fast-tracking this pay raise through the legislature," said CTF Ontario director Neil Desai. "If the premier is confident that MPPs deserve this raise then he would have waited until the 2007 election and made it a ballot issue. In light of the recent provincial auditor's report and the countless examples of wasteful spending, voters would surely nick this outrageously excessive raise."

Should the bill pass, members of the legislature will receive a raise of $22,000 moving their annual salary to $110,000. The previous government attempted to pass a similar 25 per cent pay increase for MPPs prior to the last provincial election, however, public outcry and strong opposition from the CTF squashed that proposal. A July, 2003, CTF commentary is available by clicking here.

"Taxpayers deserve the right to decide what their representatives earn. They are, after all, paying the bill," added Desai.

"Premier McGuinty is trying to buy the support of the Official Opposition and his backbench MPPs in the final months of his first term. Why on earth is Opposition leader John Tory agreeing to this pay scheme " Desai asked. "The two leaders, but especially Mr. McGuinty, should be spending more time finding out how $127-million was charged to Hydro One credit cards and how executives at Children's Aid managed to go on all inclusive vacations and purchase luxury cars with taxpayer money."