During a Members’ Services Committee meeting held Tuesday at the Alberta Legislature, it was reported UCP members on the committee voted in favour of a $270 increase to the MLA Accommodations Allowance, raising it by 14 per cent from $1,930 a month to $2,200.
It was also reported, all Alberta NDP members on the committee voted against the increase.
“While Albertans struggle with rent, mortgages, grocery prices and car insurance, these UCP MLAs chose to give themselves a raise. They thought they could hide it by increasing the accommodations allowance,” says Christina Gray, Alberta NDP leader of the Opposition and House leader.
“The UCP MLAs seem to have forgotten that every dollar they get comes from hardworking Albertans. It is wildly inappropriate for MLAs to be increasing their allowances, while everyday Albertans struggle,” Gray adds.
According to Gray, the UCP government has refused to raise the minimum wage or to take any action that would help Albertans with their rent or mortgages. “So why are UCP MLAs ensuring they get more money?”
Alberta Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf says the NDP don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to affordability. “Our government is still working to undue the costly tax and spend policies of the former NDP government. This includes fixing the electricity system they broke and paying off the billions in debt they accumulated with dollars that could have been used to directly support Albertans.”
Alberta’s government is continuing to provide support to those who need it most, adds Neudorf, while helping lower costs for all Albertans on everyday essentials, including utilities and insurance. “If the NDP really cared about affordability, they would join us in calling for an end to the failed carbon tax and the burden it places on each of us and our families.
Gray notes Alberta NDP MLAs have been talking about the affordability crisis throughout this Legislative session. “Instead of listening, it seems the UCP were busy thinking of ways to increase their compensation.”
