In the News

REALITY CHECK

August 12, 2008

CAMPBELL’S INDEX:

EXECS GET PAY HIKES, ORDINARY PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND

Gordon Campbell’s announcement last Friday of steep pay hikes for his top advisors stands in stark contrast to his policies, which are increasingly leaving ordinary British Columbians behind.

Gordon Campbell has said that, “One of the important things we have to do is make sure that we are treating people fairly” (CKNW, August 11, 2008).

But a quick look at the numbers reveals a Premier who is arrogant and out of touch:

Latest pay raise for Campbell's Deputy Minister: $104,664, a 43 per cent hike to $348,600

Time it would take for someone working at minimum wage to earn what Campbell’s Deputy will earn next year: 21 years

Number of times Campbell has increased the minimum wage since 2001: 0

Number of times Campbell has increased the wages for his Deputy Ministers since 2001: 3

Amount Campbell gives his Deputy Minister every single day: $955, plus pension

Amount Campbell expects a person with a disability to live on, per month: $906.42

Amount by which Campbell raised his own wage last year: 54 per cent

Amount by which Campbell rolled back wages for health care workers in 2004: 15 per cent

Number of B.C. children who live in poverty: almost 1 in 4, the highest rate in the country

August 12, 2008

CAMPBELL GIVES MASSIVE PAY INCREASES TO TOP VICTORIA BUREACRATS-IGNORES THE WORKING PEOPLE OF SURREY AND AROUND THE PROVINCE

Surrey – Premier Gordon Campbell awarding a massive pay increases to top executives in Victoria while ignoring pleas to raise the minimum wage, is another sign he and his government are completely out of touch with Surrey residents, says Surrey Whalley MLA and NDP Finance Critic, Bruce Ralston.

"It’s a slap in the face to people in my constituency of Surrey Whalley--and around the province--who are already struggling to pay the cost of Gordon Campbell’s fuel tax, transit fare increases and rising hydro bills,” said Ralston. “Refusing to raise the minimum wage for our lowest pay workers to a paltry $10 per hour, while awarding his Deputy Minister a potential raise of $105,000 is arrogant and cold-hearted.”

“It’s time to give the average person in Surrey a break,” said Ralston.

Today’s announcement includes a potential pay increase of approximately $105,000 per year for the Deputy Minister to the Premier, and approximately $79,000 per year for other Deputy Ministers.

Local NDP MP, Penny Priddy annouces retirement

Penny Priddy will serve the balance of her term, but when the next federal election is called, most likely next spring, she won't run. Since entering politics at the age of 42, Priddy has served Surrey as a school trustee, a city councillor, a provincial MLA and most recently, in Ottawa as an MP. She has run for office six times and has never lost a campaign.

Bruce Ralston, Surrey Whalley MLA, wishes Penny all the best in her retirement and commends her on her outstanding and perhaps unprecedented electoral success at four levels of governance--school board, city council, provincial and federal.

JULY 8, 2008 - Skytrain Poll results - most safety concerns at Surrey Central

Speaking in a Vancouver Province newspaper article on the results of a recent poll, Surrey Whalley MLA Bruce Ralston, said " The obvious solution is more security people."  He added, "the growth in ridership, spurred on by high gas prices, won't go far if people fon't feel safe."

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE

Bruce Ralston launches local push back on Campbell's gas tax. (click here to sign the petition)