VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark is drawing heat for receiving an annual stipend of up to $50,000 from British Columbia’s Liberal Party.
Both the party and an official in Clark’s office say the stipend is in addition to the premier’s annual salary of about $195,000, is a long-standing tradition in the party and former premier Gordon Campbell received $90,000 at one point.
Clark declares her premier’s allowance on her annual public disclosure documents, but the amounts are not specified.
The premier has said she attends exclusive fundraising events organized by the B.C. Liberal Party, but does not know how much people pay to attend.
B.C.’s conflict-of-interest commissioner is reviewing complaints from New Democrat David Eby and Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher claiming Clark is in breach of conflict laws for receiving benefits from the private, high-priced fundraisers.
Opposition New Democrat Leader John Horgan says Clark’s annual stipend is higher than most British Columbians earn in a year.