Premier Jason Kenney along with MLA’s in the Legislature will be taking a pay cut.
Alberta MLA’s voted unanimously on Tuesday to slash their own pay by five per cent and cut the Premier’s by 10 per cent – following through on a promise made during the election campaign.
MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Tany Yao tells Mix News the cuts are symbolic of the UCP’s fiscal responsibility.
“We want people to choose Alberta to live in for our tax rates and economic advantages. I hope people here realize this will hopefully go a long way to attracting people back to Alberta to work and live.”
MLA’s in Alberta will now make over $120,000 each – while the Premier will make over $186,000.
Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Laila Goodridge, who was one of the main advocates for the cuts, says a lot of work went into making them a reality.
“We wanted to make sure we did it right and consulted with parliamentary counsel along the way to make sure we dotted our I’s and crossing our t’s and that’s why it took a little bit longer. But it still happened within 100 days of our government’s mandate and it’s something I was really proud to be pushing for.”
Goodridge notes while there were delays in approving the cuts – it’s a promise made and a promise kept by the UCP.
Meanwhile, Yao adds the cuts show the UCP is putting Alberta first.
“I hope Albertans recognize that and realize that we are serious about what we’re trying to do in making sure Alberta is a place to live, work and invest in and that lifestyle is fantastic for people to choose to make Alberta their home.”