Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach announced today a personal pay cut of 15% http://tinyurl.com/stelmpaycut. However, he failed to mention that in May 2008, his personal salary was increased by 34% http://tinyurl.com/stelmraise. Additionally, earlier in 2008 all politicians received an increase of 4.7%.
Salary $152140 pre-March 2008.
Salary with 4.7% increase $159,291 March 2008 ("mandatory....")
Salary with 34% increase $213,450 May 30th, 2008.
Salary with 15% decrease $181,432 October 2009.
So the 15% gesture is just that.... a gesture.
This does not take into account all the tax-free portions......
I had to take a real 20% decrease in my salary due to the recession.
Actually more now that commission has been reduced by half....
See the premier's speech here.... http://www.premier.alberta.ca/speeches/2009_Premiers_Address.cfm
