Kill the Pay Bill – South Fraser NDP MLAs Challenge Local B.C. Liberals

New Democrat MLAs from Surrey and Delta today challenged the four local B.C. Liberal MLAs to follow in the Opposition’s footsteps and vote to defeat the proposed MLA pay increase legislation (Bill 37).

The proposed B.C. Liberal legislation, which is expected to be put to a vote some time next week, will see Premier Gordon Campbell’s salary go up by 54 per cent and the MLAs’ base salary by 29 per cent. In the event that the government manages to pass the bill, every member of the NDP caucus has committed to give the pay increase to charitable causes.

“Under the leadership of Carole James, the NDP caucus has decided to vote against this legislation,” said Surrey Green Timbers MLA Sue Hammell. “I know my community well and a large pay increase like the one being proposed is not acceptable to my constituents.”

“All we need are seven B.C. Liberal MLAs to get on the right side of this issue and defeat this bill,” said Surrey Newton MLA Harry Bains. “We challenge MLAs Dave Hayer, Gordon Hogg, Kevin Falcon and Val Roddick to provide four of the required seven No votes.”

“A 54-per-cent pay increase for the Premier and a 29-per-cent increase for MLAs are completely out of step with what British Columbians expect. Therefore, this legislation must be defeated,” said Surrey Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston.

Making an appeal to the residents of Surrey and Delta, Surrey Panorama Ridge MLA Jagrup Brar said, “We encourage the constituents of these B.C. Liberal MLAs to write, email and telephone them and hold them accountable for their voting decision.”

“The Campbell Liberals still have a few days to turn things around before the Legislature resumes next week. They must make use of the free vote and vote their conscience this time,” said Delta North MLA Guy Gentner.

The contact information for MLAs Hayer, Hogg, Falcon and Roddick can be found at: www.leg.bc.ca.