QUEBEC CITY — Members of the National Assembly are in an awkward position when it comes to discussing their own working conditions.
“We should have a position which is consistent with the position we have vis-à-vis other people,” said Liberal Party MNA Rita de Santis.
The current debate around Bill 3, which asks municipal workers to up their pension contribution to 50 per cent, is forcing politicians to look in the mirror.
Currently, MNAs pay 21 per cent of the total cost of their pensions.
The Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is asking that MNAs lead by example and make the same kind of “sacrifices” they are asking of municipal employees.
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“We’re asking for a change now in our municipalities, we should also make a change now for our pension funds,” said CAQ Leader François Legault.
However, an independent report conducted last year concluded MNAs are underpaid.
It recommended their pension premiums be increased to 41 per cent with a salary bonus to offset the costs.
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Municipal Affairs Minister Pierre Moreau said it made sense because there was no extra cost to taxpayers.
He argued it would be impossible to do the same for municipal workers; their pension plans are $4-billion in the hole.
“The raise they are figuring out would be an extra expense for the taxpayer,” Moreau said.
The question came up Wednesday in a debate initiated by the CAQ.
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The PQ, which at first was reticent to discuss changes to MNAs’ pensions, arguing it didn’t want to be judge and party, went as far as to question whether they even needed pension plans any longer.
“Let’s go further, do we need a pension plan?” asked Parti Québécois interim leader Stéphane Bédard.
“I know I’m not in politics to make money.”
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