Veteran politicians weigh in on disgruntled MLA’s plan

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This article was published 27/10/2023 (740 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba legislators earn a full-time salary and new Premier Wab Kinew should expect members of his team to work as full-time MLAs, say veteran politicians, opponents and observers.

“Our caucus has given the expectation to MLAs that, if you’re elected, it’s full-time work,” said Kelvin Goertzen, deputy leader of the Progressive Conservatives. “It’s full-time pay and that’s your work.”

The base salary for every member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba is $102,998.

“If you have other interests, those have to be set aside,” said Goertzen, veteran MLA for Steinbach.

It’s a choice each member must make, said former River Heights MLA Dr. Jon Gerrard (who retained his medical licence).

“I had a fundamental choice whether or not to continue practising,” the former pediatric hematologist said Thursday. “I didn’t want to be doing either one part-time.”

Gerrard served as federal Liberal MP from 1993-97 in the former riding of Portage—Interlake, then as Liberal MLA for River Heights from 1999 until losing his seat in the Oct. 3 election.

Choosing to serve as a full-time MLA resulted in a 50 per cent cut in pay, Gerrard said, adding he has no plans to return to medical practice.

NDP MLA Mark Wasyliw (Fort Garry) said this week, after being overlooked for a cabinet post, he’ll have time to take on more cases as a criminal defence lawyer.

On Tuesday, Kinew told reporters being an MLA is more than a full-time job. He wouldn’t say if Wasyliw continuing his law practice had anything to do with his being passed over for cabinet or if the Fort Garry MLA would have to give up his practice to remain in caucus.

On Thursday, when asked about Wasyliw — and whether Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn (Dauphin) had stepped back from farming — the premier’s office didn’t respond.

An NDP spokesperson instead issued a statement: “We believe all MLAs must understand that public service is more than a full-time job. As a team, we are committed to making life better for Manitobans and each MLA has a role to play in achieving that goal, no matter where their seat is in the legislature.”

Members of the legislative assembly divide their time between their constituencies and work in the assembly and duties vary, depending on whether they are a member of cabinet, government backbencher or member of the Opposition.

Constituents often go to their MLA for help on many issues. Much of an MLA’s time is spent handling constituents’ individual problems, answering questions and staying on top of home region concerns.

Veteran political observer Paul Thomas said MLA salaries have been adjusted over the years through an independent process based on the assumption the job has become almost entirely full-time.

Thomas wondered if Wasyliw was suggesting, without the $56,390 pay bump he would have received as a minister, he needed to supplement his income by taking on more cases.

“Not many Manitobans would have sympathy for that position,” Thomas said Thursday.

Wasyliw did not respond to a request for comment.

Although he’s not receiving a minister’s salary, Wasyliw will receive an additional $4,989 as legislative assistant to Education Minister Nello Altomare.

The situation with Wasyliw “cannot be allowed to fester,” said Thomas, a University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus.

Kinew should meet with the disgruntled MLA “to clear up any misunderstanding and perhaps to indicate there may be a bigger role for him based on hard work, limiting his outside work strictly and being a team player.”

The legislative calendar allows some time for limited outside employment for MLAs, but “the appropriateness of such work depends on the time commitment involved,” Thomas added.

Meantime, Goertzen’s position on the subject was clear.

“Their primary consideration is for their constituents,” he said. “We’ve never said they couldn’t have other interests or occupations,” pointing to MLAs who farmed, owned small businesses and operated insurance companies.

“In my 20 years in the legislature, on all sides of the house, I’ve seen that,” the PC deputy leader said. “Those are jobs that have either lots of flexibility or the MLA isn’t the person providing the main service.”

Farmers who are legislators may rely on family or a contractor during harvest and seeding times, for instance, Goertzen added.

“If you’re a defence lawyer, your clients may have an expectation you’re going to be in court with them,” said Goertzen, who has a law degree. “I don’t know that there’s that flexibility.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca