Big perks await winners
Candidates reaching for the brass ring on Oct. 14 stand to win more than a padded green seat in the House of Commons, the latest parliamentary benefits package shows.The prize includes a $155,400 annual salary, putting Members of Parliament in the top two per cent of income earners.
Perks include 64 free, return airline tickets each year, some available for MPs or their spouses and children to fly anywhere in Canada. That's in addition to free, unlimited Via Rail travel for them and their families.
And there's a $24,500 expense allowance, as well as a subsidized life and health insurance plan the Canadian Taxpayers Federation describes simply as "a Cadillac."
The retirement plan remains so generous that New Democrat Bill Blaikie, stepping down after 29 years, will enjoy a $130,000 annual pension.
Life will be good in other ways for the new MPs.
On top of the monetary rewards, they can look forward to fuelling up in the legendary parliamentary restaurant, where a main course of smoked Canadian salmon, garnished with cream cheese, pumpernickel baguette, eggs, pickled red onions and chilled cucumber salad, will set them back only $11.25.
"It would insult the intelligence of voters not to think that (the perks) was on their mind when they decided to put their name on the ballot," said Adam Taylor, acting national director of the taxpayers' federation.
A fatal decision
TORONTO -- Performing one's civic duty by going to the polls in the upcoming Canadian and U.S. elections could be a risky venture, say researchers, who have found that the number of driving-related deaths and injuries jumps significantly on voting day.
The research, co-authored by Dr. Donald Redelmeier of the University of Toronto, found an average 18 per cent surge in automobile-related fatalities on the days U.S. citizens voted for president, from the 1976 election of Jimmy Carter through 2004's tally that returned George W. Bush to the White House.
In absolute numbers, that means the average presidential election day led to 24 more people being killed and about another 800 being seriously injured compared to non-voting days.
Extrapolating the findings to Canada, he estimated that the Oct. 14 federal election would lead to two or three additional deaths and 70 to 80 more people with debilitating injuries across the country, all caused by motor vehicle accidents.
Quotes from the campaign
"That is the ultimate nightmare which the world must take decisive and effective steps to prevent. Possession of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by terrorists would constitute a direct, undeniable and lethal threat to the world, including to Canada and its people."
-- Stephen Harper, as leader of the Canadian Alliance, in a speech to Parliament on March 20, 2003, calling for Canada to join the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Liberal Bob Rae drew attention to the comments Tuesday.
"That is the ultimate nightmare which the world must take decisive and effective steps to prevent. Possession of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by terrorists would constitute a direct, undeniable and lethal threat to Australia and its people."
-- Australian Prime Minister John Howard, speaking to his country's parliament on March 18, 2003, two days before Harper's speech.
"Pressed for time, I was overzealous in copying segments of another world leader's speech. Neither my superiors in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition nor the Leader of the Opposition was aware that I had done so. I apologize to all involved and have resigned my position from the Conservative campaign."
-- former Tory official Owen Lippert, who wrote Harper's 2003 speech.
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