[LabComm] Tell Gordon Campbell what to do with his pay raise

[BC NDP Newswire]

Tell Gordon Campbell what to do with his pay raise



Earlier this week, Gordon Campbell and the Liberals introduced a bill that is designed to give themselves a pay raise that is completely out of touch with reality.

If passed, Gordon Campbell's pay raise bill will increase his own salary by 54% -- he'll be helping himself to an extra $89,000 of your money, every year.

Just think of it. $89,000, on top of what he already makes. The increase alone is more than twice what the average British Columbian earns in a year.

At the same time, Campbell is rejecting Carole James' proposal for raising the minimum wage to $10.

<strong>How can he justify giving himself $89,000 while denying a modest increase for minimum wage workers?</strong>

BC has the fastest growing gap between the rich and poor anywhere in Canada.

We have the highest poverty rate.

The highest poverty rate for seniors.

And the highest overall poverty rate.

Seniors are facing a shortage of long-term beds. 

Students are facing massive debtloads.

Parents are struggling to find and pay for child care.

How can Campbell look British Columbians in the eye and tell them he deserves another $89,000 of your money -- even while cutting services for vulnerable people in BC?

<strong>Carole James and the NDP are trying to stop this bill. They're calling on Campbell to withdraw the complete proposal. </strong>

If he refuses to do so, Carole and the NDP are urging Liberal MLAs to join the NDP in voting against this proposal.

If the Liberals choose not to do the right thing and vote in favour of Gordon Campbell's pay raise, the NDP will give their pay increases to charity.

In many cases, these donations will go directly to help people who have been hit hard by years of Campbell cuts.

For example, NDP Leader Carole James will be donating to the Mary Manning Centre -- a facility in her riding that provides counseling support for children who have suffered sexual abuse.

The Mary Manning Centre makes a real difference for these children, but there are many more who are stuck on a waiting list because the facility needs more resources. They have been pleading with the Campbell government to provide them with $170,000 to hire three therapists who can help these children.

What was the response from Gordon Campbell and his government? 

The response was no, they couldn't find $170,000 for sexually-abused children, but they can sure find the $89,000 for Gordon Campbell's pay increase.

Carole's donation won't get all those children off the wait list, but it will help make up for the indifference of the Campbell government.

NDP MLAs all over British Columbia will be doing the same thing. They will be donating their pay increase to help charities like the Mary Manning Centre help vulnerable people in communities hit hard by the arrogant and uncaring government of Gordon Campbell.

But <strong>if Gordon Campbell truly cared about these children -- and people in need all over this province -- he'd withdraw his pay increase bill and make those resources directly available to charities like the Mary Manning Centre.</strong>

Here's how you can help.

If you know of a charity in your neighbourhood that could put $89,000 to good use, let us know. Tell us about them with a quick note to <a href="mailto:bcndp at bcndp.ca">bcndp at bcndp.ca</a>.

We'll pass it on to Gordon Campbell and the Liberals. It will help us make the case that they need to forget about this unreasonable pay raise proposal -- and make that money available to the people who work hard every day helping sick children, lonely seniors and abused women.

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