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Redford’s resignation raises questions about severance for her staff

CALGARY – Now that Premier Alison Redford has resigned, some of her staff are either already out of a job or soon will be, which is raising questions about severance payouts.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) says in total, close to a million dollars will be paid out to staff members who worked for Redford.

“I think the total payout is definitely going to be in the neighbourhood of about a million dollars,” says Derek Fildebrandt.

“These are huge, rich payouts that you don’t see in the private sector unless you’re a high level banker, and these guys are not high level bankers,” adds Fildebrant.

In question period on Thursday, NDP leader Brian Mason asked designated interim premier Dave Hancock about who’s in and who’s out when Redford leaves, and if the severance calculation by the CTF is accurate.

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“There are obviously changes when there [are] transitions in leadership,” replied Hancock. “But it’s sort of interesting that for most of the year these people have been [complaining about] too many people on staff and too many salaries on staff and all of those things – and now when there’s a change, now they want to complain about the cost of people leaving.”

The Tories changed their salary disclosure policy after it was revealed that Redford’s former chief of staff was paid $130,000 for six months of work.

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More than 3,000 government employees with base salaries above $100,000 – and their compensation details – are on the so-called ‘sunshine list.’

Read the full sunshine list here 

Several of Premier Redford’s senior staff were included on the list, such as her communications director and chief of staff.

It’s believed between the two of them, more than $400,000 of severance will be paid out.

There are reports Redford’s chief of staff and communications director have already been dismissed, but the fate of her remaining staff isn’t yet clear; some of them may be shuffled to other positions.

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WATCH: Dave Hancock joins Global Calgary to discuss the challenges the PC party will face in the coming months.

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