They're only in it for the money.

I’ve been meaning to write about the nice fat pay raise my Ontario MPPs are giving themselves, but I’ve been having a hard time collecting my thoughts.

For any reader who might stumble upon this blog and wonder what the hell I’m talking about, here’s the nickel version: 2 weeks before Christmas, our Ontario Legislature is ramming through a 25% salary increase. Their justification for this is that they’re trying to close the gap between themselves and their counterparts in Ottawa in order to continue to be able to attract the best candidates, to prevent the poaching of MPPs by federal parties offering them the opportunity to run in the federal campaign, and also because the pittance our MPPs are struggling to get by on (88 grand) just doesn’t compare to what they could be making outside of Queen’s Park.

So like I said, I’ve been meaning to write about this for about a week now, but there’s just so many angles to this that I don’t know where to start. I could mention the large and embarrassing number of families trying to get by on less than what our MPPs are giving themselves as a raise. I could bring up several places where the money could be better spent (food banks for instance). I could also ponder how curious it is that with no shortage of pressing issues to be dealt with, it’s a pay raise that is keeping our MPPs from going home for the holidays. Really, there’s a ton of reasons for my disgust over this, but I’m going to try and stick to our Premier’s reasons for why this pay raise makes sense and offer a rebuttal of sorts.

One argument is that if their pay doesn’t go up to the tune of 22 thousand bucks, our MPPs will jump ship and run federally. To this, I say "Really?" Does anyone really think that our MPPs are just a moment away from running federally when the federal parties already have candidates and MPs in place? I’m sure there are a couple of bright lights at Queens Park that are being groomed for bigger and better things, but for the most part, I don’t see the federal parties throwing their existing and established lineup overboard en masse in order to bring in a bunch of rookies from Queens Park. And really if the MPPs did resign as one and decide to run federally, how bad would that be? One immediate benefit would be the dogfight between the Brothers McGuinty over who gets to run in Ottawa-South and keep their face in the trough. Either way, it would lead to at least one McGuinty having to give up their silver spoon and live in the real world, and that’s a win in my book.

But what does this argument say about our MPPs? Think about that for a second: During the election campaigns, the candidates take turns coming to your house to tell you how they’re campaigning out of a sincere interest in Ontario’s future and well-being. They talk about their commitment to the province and their desire to make a better Ontario. Then they get elected and suddenly, the voters are being threatened with widespread defections if we don’t bend over, bite the pillow, and give ‘em their 25 percent, 22 thousand dollar raise. So tell me, where did their commitment to public service go? Was it ever there in the first place, or were they only in it for the money all along? There’s one question I’d like to ask Dalton McGuinty (if only ordinary citizens were allowed to speak directly with the Premier) regarding this whole ‘farm team for the feds’ argument: If an MPP ever decided to jump ship and run federally because he didn’t make as much money as an MP, would anyone vote for this candidate? Seriously, would you vote for a candidate who’s essentially saying that he’s only in it for the money and that he’ll run for whatever office pays the most?

Then there’s the argument about needing the raise in order to attract the best candidates. I’ve always believed that a person runs for office out of a desire to serve their communities, make their world a better place, all that warm and fuzzy stuff. Turns out that’s not it at all. The only thing keeping our MPPs working for us is the salary. And it’s been made very clear that if they don’t get their raise, they’ll walk. Remember this the next time your local MPP comes around asking for your vote. Everything he or she says between "Hello" and "Thanks for your time" is nothing but a lie, told in order to get the electorate to vote for them. Don’t ever forget: you’re stupid, and aren’t worthy of the truth.

Finally, there’s that old "MPPs could make more money in the private sector" argument. Well what’s stopping them? Honestly, if the MPPs life is so miserable and not worth almost 90 thousand dollars a year, why don’t they get out of government and go back to making their millions and millions in the private sector? It’s not like there’s a shortage of capable people who could serve as MPPs AND be happy with 90 grand to start, along with expense accounts, office budgets, and committee bonuses. Our current MPPs were perfectly happy with that compensation package when they were running up and down the streets telling anyone who’d listen about how much of an honour and privilege it would be to serve at Queen’s Park, never mentioning salary as a reason for their civic-mindedness. Now all of a sudden, these MPPs are saying that they need a 25%, 22 thousand dollar raise, or else we run the risk of losing them and all their wonderful efforts on our behalf to the public sector. To be honest, I’d be curious to see what some of our MPPs would get out here in the real world. Perhaps we should call them on it and make them show us the hundreds of job offers they receive, each one promising salaries in the millions. I’m sure there are MPPs who would do better for themselves in the private sector, but I’m just as sure that those MPPs are in the minority. The majority would be hard pressed to make 3 quarters of their salary in the private sector. If a business owner was approached by an employee, and told that he’d better give him a huge raise or he’s leaving to accept a better offer, wouldn’t the business owner at least want to make sure the competing offer actually existed? Well when it comes to our Premier and his MPPs, we’re supposed to just take their word that there’s this huge demand for politicians in the private sector. Whatever.

Like I said, there are countless reasons why this pay raise stinks. The justifications being given for the raise are just the smelliest. We could talk about putting the money into social programs, crime fighting, infrastructure, tax cuts, literally dozens of places where that money would better serve us. But none of those reasons matter. Our MPPs have decided that more than anything else in the province, they deserve our money. And they’re gonna take it. Whether we like it or not.

Note: When I first wrote this, I mentioned that MPPs have the 'gold plated-est of pensions'. I was mistaken. Turns out they don't get a pension, but they're allowed to double their RRSP contributions to 10% of their salaries. My apologies to all of our Ontario MPPs. They're still out of touch, selfish, cold-hearted, and have no respect for the electorate, but at least once they get kicked out of Queen's Park, we're not paying for them to be out of touch, selfish, cold-hearted and disrespectful. Once again, my sincere apologies.