Cardinal backs 30 percent pay hike

Page 5

Edmonton

Athabasca MLA Mike Cardinal says he'll take his 30 percent pay hike, approved recently by an all-party legislative committee, without batting a eyelash.

"I sure the hell earn mine (salary)," he said when contacted by Windspeaker.

Cardinal said he decided "with no second thought" to take the increase being given to MLAs.

"In my particular case, I believe I earn my way and then some. If I went to a private corporation with my 35 years experience and with the amount of effort I give, my salary

would probably be double what I'm getting as an MLA," he declared.

The increase was approved Aug. 28, making Alberta MLAs the second highest paid legislators in Canada, behind Quebec MLAs.

The raise gives Alberta MLAs $57,505 a year, up from $44,322. About $19,000 of that income is tax-free.

The raise is retroactive to April 1. It follows a 24 per cent raise last year.

Cardinal noted that when he ran for election, he promised to be a full-time MLA, making himself available to constituents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

He said he had to take a considerable pay cut when he was elected.

"But I thought regardless of the cut in salary I would challenge the position, do my best and work full-time."

Cardinal had been a socioeconomic advisor to the province before being elected March 20.

"If an MLA is working full-time and doesn't have a second job then I believe it's justifiable. We work anywhere from 12 to 15 hours a day, normally six days a week and then I'm

on call 24 hours a day.

"The people in my constituency will have to assess my performance and they'll have an opportunity in four years or so to determine if I'm worth that much money. If I'm not, they

better kick me out," he said.

Realtor Pat Lemire, one of Cardinal's constituents, said he favored paying the Metis MLA "what he's worth" since he's full-time.

"But it's ridiculous there are those that have businesses on the side while they're in politics," said Lemire, who works at Century 21 in Athabasca.