- CTF calls for multi-party policy committees, like other provinces and federally
- CTF says mandate to govern is not a mandate for secrecy

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called for the participation of MLAs from all parties on policy committees that MLAs are paid for serving on.

According to the most recent Report of Selected Payments to MLAs, six MLAs were paid $23,748 each for chairing partisan committees on which only Tory MLAs serve, for a total of $142,488 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003. The amount for the current fiscal year is approximately $148,000.

Alberta is the only jurisdiction in Canada where taxpayer-funded policy committees exclude opposition members.

"Even the federal Liberals in Ottawa allow opposition MPs to serve on policy committees, recognizing that not all Canadians voted for the government party," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.

"Political parties have every right to create their own committees as they see fit, but not at taxpayers' expense. Taxpayers should not have to pay extra money to MLAs who chair or serve on one-party committees," explained Carpay.

"If MLAs receive extra pay from taxpayers for committee work, it should only be for committees which include MLAs from all parties, in recognition of the fact that not all Albertans vote for the government party. In fact, in this past election the majority of Albertans voted against the government party. In a democracy, they are entitled to representation," added Carpay.

"Committees which determine public policy should meet in public, not behind closed doors. When debates and votes take place in secret, it's impossible for taxpayers to hold MLAs accountable," concluded Carpay.