Last year proved to be quite profitable for most Alberta politicians, with the majority of MLAs receiving hefty pay hikes on top of their annual salary.
According to government documents, MLAs, cabinet ministers, and even opposition members earned year-over-year increases topping as much as 40 per cent.
And some very high-profile names topping the list of hefty earners. Premier Ed Stelmach taking home nearly $225,000, with an annual raise of more than $50,000. Finance Minister Iris Evans raked in close to $200,000, seeing her salary increased by more than a third.
The opposition is blaming the pay hikes on a series of new policy committees filled solely by Tories. They're paid between $12,000 to $35,000 a year for their roles on the panels, which were previously unpaid.
"The taxpayers have no idea how often these committees meet, what they discuss, the taxpayer is footing the bill and they're completely in the dark as to what these guys do," said Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald.
But the Liberals also received some considerable pay raises. MacDonald now earns $135,000 a year, which is up 37 per cent.
The Tories are defending the hikes, and the controversial committees that helped pay them.
"Our salary, the remuneration for this committee and any other committee is tabled in the legislature every year," said Tory member Thomas Lukaszuk.
Those pay hikes will not continue this year. MLAs have agreed to accept a pay freeze for now. Stelmach and cabinet will also take a small pay cut, but only on a portion of their salary.
With files from Scott Roberts
