BC Political Discussion: Election 2024 & 43rd Parliament

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by chowhou

Not sure how many ministers you'd expect there to be, there were 23 in the last cabinet. It appears they're merging the housing and municipal affairs ministries, and eliminating the mental health and addictions ministry.

They don't come cheap.

Andrew Johns
@AndrewNJohns
6h
GOV'T PAY RAISE
Every @bcndp MLA standing behind @Dave_Eby
earns an additonal $17k-$60k per year.
▪️23 Ministers = $1,374,627
▪️4 Ministers of State = $167,346
▪️14 Parliamentary Secretaries = $252,019

Total Added Cost to BC Taxpayers = $1,792,991 + lifetime pension

https://x.com/AndrewNJohns/status/1858939524585582856


On the other hand, that is literally a drop in the bucket in terms of the huge deficit they've been racking up.....

[mcj]

Originally Posted by whatnext

They don't come cheap.

Andrew Johns
@AndrewNJohns
6h
GOV'T PAY RAISE
Every @bcndp MLA standing behind @Dave_Eby
earns an additonal $17k-$60k per year.
▪️23 Ministers = $1,374,627
▪️4 Ministers of State = $167,346
▪️14 Parliamentary Secretaries = $252,019

Total Added Cost to BC Taxpayers = $1,792,991 + lifetime pension

https://x.com/AndrewNJohns/status/1858939524585582856


On the other hand, that is literally a drop in the bucket in terms of the huge deficit they've been racking up.....

Bruh, it's a full time job, do you want them working part time at McDonald's to make ends meet?

In all seriousness, the arguments for why MLAs and Ministers should be well compensated are pretty convincing for those of us who want to avoid corruption in government.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by whatnext

- snip -

If anything, we don't pay them enough; a minister in Singapore will make as much each year as all 23 BC ministers combined, on the assumption that it attracts top talent and reduces the need for bribes.*

*(What happens is that the minister sometimes takes the salary and the bribes, but that's a completely different argument)

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by mcj

Bruh, it's a full time job, do you want them working part time at McDonald's to make ends meet?

In all seriousness, the arguments for why MLAs and Ministers should be well compensated are pretty convincing for those of us who want to avoid corruption in government.

And in the same breath you could not pay me enough to be under that much scrutiny and embark on such a precarious employment situation. I would not take a position like that for only ~$167k. Rather work in the private sector, have job security, and be a total unknown to the province and not get hate mail.

[WarrenC12]

Pay your elected officials shit so nobody wants the job and they are far more tempted by bribes and kickbacks. Solid plan.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If anything, we don't pay them enough; a minister in Singapore will make as much each year as all 23 BC ministers combined, on the assumption that it attracts top talent and reduces the need for bribes.*

*(What happens is that the minister sometimes takes the salary and the bribes, but that's a completely different argument)

Ah yes Singapore, model of democracy.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Ah yes Singapore, model of democracy.

As always when you have nothing more to add after being dunked on, you reach for the non sequitur. When did this conversation have anything to do with democracy? The argument is that well paid public servants are more likely to be focused on the job and not getting money on the side. That argument works for a democracy just as much as it does for any authoritarian state.

We do not live in an anarchist state. We have a government with paid government officials. I'm sorry that bothers you.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Ah yes Singapore, model of democracy.

If managed democracy is better to work for than real democracy, maybe we're doing it wrong?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If managed democracy is better to work for than real democracy, maybe we're doing it wrong?

Seriously? A big NDP supporter arguing for "managed democracy"?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by chowhou

As always when you have nothing more to add after being dunked on, you reach for the non sequitur. When did this conversation have anything to do with democracy? The argument is that well paid public servants are more likely to be focused on the job and not getting money on the side. That argument works for a democracy just as much as it does for any authoritarian state.

We do not live in an anarchist state. We have a government with paid government officials. I'm sorry that bothers you.

A supposed free marketeer arguing for a bigger trough. Will wonders never cease.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Pay your elected officials shit so nobody wants the job and they are far more tempted by bribes and kickbacks. Solid plan.

Being an MLA is a crappy job with odd or irregular hours. It can be up to 7 days a week. Nights. Overnight calls.

Most offices are open-door meaning anyone can just come in. You get all sorts of pissed off people coming in every day. There's desperate people that demand immediate help. You get individuals coming in to complain about the federal and municipal government

There's a lot of out-of-pocket expenses and you have to even offer incentives out of pocket to hire decent administrative assistants and secretaries.

It's sad because we are going into dark times where there will be public pressure to drive down wages due to inflationary pressures when this only leads the consolidation of wealth to bad actors- that are driving this problem.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by whatnext

A supposed free marketeer arguing for a bigger trough. Will wonders never cease.

And my superhero Ravi Kahlon has been putting in the work to attempt to cut some of the red tape. Pay the man what he's worth.

Meanwhile you're not going to hear me advocate for free market approaches to, let's see... Public safety, health, infrastructure, emergency management, education and childcare, or transportation and transit.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Seriously? A big NDP supporter arguing for "managed democracy"?

Where and how did you manage to twist that one? Since BC's democracy is better than Singapore's, maybe its public servants' wages should reflect some of that.

You don't like people getting paid more than you. We get it. Move along.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If anything, we don't pay them enough; a minister in Singapore will make as much each year as all 23 BC ministers combined, on the assumption that it attracts top talent and reduces the need for bribes.*

*(What happens is that the minister sometimes takes the salary and the bribes, but that's a completely different argument)

Originally Posted by whatnext

Ah yes Singapore, model of democracy.

Canadian dollar now weaker than the Singapore dollar:

CAN$1 : SIN$0.96

Shows how they have overtaken us in so many ways, and is one of the wealthiest countries in the world now. No mass homelessness and drug addiction like how our governments have created here.

One Singaporean minister deserves way higher pay than all of Eby's Provincial cabinet combined.

• Video Link

[Vin]

NDP: Patting their own back for a job well-done with 30-50% pay increase when belt-tightening is happening throughout this province.

Congratulations, BC!

All NDP MLAs receive a new title, and all but one get a raise
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/all-ndp-mlas-receive-a-new-title-and-all-but-one-get-a-raise-1.7116349

Results here for all to see:

Vancouver
• Video Link

Victoria
• Video Link

Nanaimo
• Video Link

Kelowna
• Video Link

Such exemplary ministers that we are all happily voting them in and gladly handing our hard-earned tax money to fill their own pockets.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Vin

Canadian dollar now weaker than the Singapore dollar:

CAN$1 : SIN$0.96

The fact that you think BC's cabinet affects the value of the dollar in any meaningful way says all I need to know.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Vin

NDP: Patting their own back for a job well-done with 30-50% pay increase when belt-tightening is happening throughout this province.

In terms of impact for taxpayers, the three additional cabinet ministers and one parliamentary secretary appointed by Eby, compared to Horgan’s government, will cost taxpayers $788,000 more over four years.

$788,000 over four years is $197,000 per year or roughly 3.5 cents per person per year. If you give me your address I'll gladly write you a cheque for 14 cents to cover your portion of this increase.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

$788,000 over four years is $197,000 per year or roughly 3.5 cents per person per year. If you give me your address I'll gladly write you a cheque for 14 cents to cover your portion of this increase.

Would you be able to send everyone in this province a cheque for 14 cents? That would make me very happy.

[Vin]

What a waste of public money.

Rob Shaw: Police support crumbles for B.C.’s decriminalization experiment

https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/rob-...bcs-decriminalization-experiment-9891951

According to Global news, drugs can still be freely consumed anywhere in this province up till February, 2026!

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

The fact that you think BC's cabinet affects the value of the dollar in any meaningful way says all I need to know.

I expect that from you as you're incapable of connecting the dots. Say no more sir!