MacDonald: No Election
There are 16 reasons why there won’t be an election this summer, and probably won’t be one before next summer. Sixteen is the number of Bloc Quebecois MPs first elected with the class of 2004, who will qualify for their parliamentary pensions six years to the day later. On June 28, 2010.
Those 16 Bloc members need to be in Parliament until then for their pensions to vest Should any of them lose their seats in an election first, they would also lose their pensions. This is no small consideration in keeping the House going until then.
Consider:MPs’ pensions vest at 3% per year of their salaries for the first six years. That’s 18% of $155,000 (MPs’ base salary) per year, or $27,900 a year. Indexed. For life.
No seat for six years, no pension.
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Jean Says:
Yeah, Block members of Parliament have a use after all LOL.
I guess it all depends on who wants an election now and who would prefer some time for the economy to hopefully improve and people to get to really know Ignatieff ( Will either works for him or against him: Too soon to be sure which i.e. trying to not be too partisan here but you might guess which I’m hoping for ).
If we ( Conservatives ) where in opposition wanting an election NOW the Block would be
a ” block ” but now it’s a useful DOORSTOP. Anyway, any partisanship aside, I really want to enjoy a politically quiet Summer and the thought of another election so soon gives me hives.
Posted on June 5th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Mac Says:
A quiet summer? How boring… Bring on another New Dippers on the Bloc coalition!! It’s much easier to get folks out for a demonstration in the warm months.
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
MaryT Says:
How many libs/ndp/conservatives have a few more years to qualify for a pension. Iggy comes to mind, as does IRuby, Raitt and Linda Duncan.
I think the pension should be paid on how many terms one serves, not years.
That would cut the payout by millions.
I think Ralphy has quite a healthy amount coming to him.
And if an mp resigns on his own he should be disqualified for maximum amount.
( for other than serious health reasons)
Posted on June 6th, 2009 at 3:41 pm