VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the British Columbia government to find real savings after throne-speech rhetoric about spending control was immediately contradicted by pay hikes for politicians. 

“Instead of following through on promises to find savings for taxpayers, this government is kicking off the legislative season by dolling out big bonuses to politicians,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Every single NDP MLA is taking home extra money on top of their MLA salaries due legislative appointments.” 

Lieutenant governor Wendy Cocchia presented the government’s throne speech from Victoria on Tuesday afternoon. 

The government is “reviewing programs and spending to ensure they address today’s challenges,” said Cocchia. 

However, that commitment to cost savings is being undermined as government MLAs will be collecting bigger pay cheques.

Every NDP MLA is taking home extra money due to a slew of cabinet appointments made by the provincial government shortly after the provincial election

If cabinet had been kept to the size it was in 2017, under former-premier John Horgan, British Columbians would save almost $500,000 this year or around $2 million in the next four years. 

“Instead of actually saving taxpayers money, the provincial government is rewarding its whole caucus with massive bonuses,” Binda said. “Taxpayers can’t feed their families with empty promises – we need real results.   

The throne speech also stated the government will be “putting money back in people’s pockets.” The throne speech did not include any specific tax cuts for B.C. families.

The government has backtracked from its election promise to send B.C. families $1,000 rebate cheques this year and provide income tax relief starting next year.

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