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- PCs and Liberals unanimous in voting for large MLA severance pay
- Klein to receive $533,236 in 2004 or $669,204 in 2008
- Klein's 1993 "no pension" pledge repudiated through the back door

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released severance pay calculations for all 83 Alberta MLAs, including the 71 MLAs seeking re-election on Monday November 22.

In August of 2001, just five months after the last provincial election, PC and Liberal MLAs voted unanimously to enlarge the MLA severance pay package. This was not in the 2001 election platform of either party, nor had it been discussed during the election. The new package voted into force in 2001 gives defeated and retiring MLAs three months' salary for every year in office, based on the highest-earning years as Premier, Speaker, Minister, Opposition Leader, Committee Chair, etc.

If Premier Klein is defeated on Monday he will receive severance pay of $533,256, or $669,204 if he is re-elected and retires in 2008.

Speaker Ken Kowalski would receive $551,467 in severance pay if defeated on Monday, or $678119 if re-elected and then retiring in 2008.

The previous MLA severance pay package was two months' salary for every year served, but to a maximum of 24 months. The new package pays three months' salary for every year in office since 1989, plus one month's salary for every year served prior to 1989.

Finance Minister Pat Nelson and Energy Minister Murray Smith, who are not seeking re-election, will receive $477,949 each. This amount can be paid out over a four-year period, to minimize taxes which Ms. Nelson and Mr. Smith will have to pay.

When Premier Klein campaigned for his first mandate in 1993, his stance against the former MLA pension plan helped secure victory over Laurence Decore's Liberals.

The majority of Albertans do not have a pension plan paid for by their employer, but rely on their own RSP contributions and eventual CPP benefits.

"It's hypocritical to win an election in 1993 by opposing the MLA pension plan, and to then vote yourself a severance pay package so large that it exceeds two thirds of a million dollars when you retire," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.