Fallout from committee controversy

EDMONTON - 21 MLAs who have been getting paid $1,000 a month to sit on a legislative committee that hasn't met in 3 years are coming under fire.

Earlier this week, the spotlight was thrust on the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee after the Canadian Taxpayers Federation singled it out with a prize given to the worst government wasters. The Teddy-award winning committee has cost taxpayers more than $800,000 over the past 39 months.

When Global News approached some of the committee members about them getting paid for a job that hasn't been performed in 1,209 days, they seemed just as surprised as anyone. Genia Leskiw had no comment when asked what her understanding was of what this committee did. While Lloyd Snelgrove's excuse for being paid $1,000 a month for sitting on the committee that hasn't been meeting was that he doesn't look at his paystub.

The story generated a lot of shock and anger from viewers, as well as calls to Edmonton's Canadian Taxpayers Federation office.

And now, even though retired Justice John Major is currently reviewing MLAs pay, Premier Alison Redford is speaking up about it, saying that regardless of what Justice Major's decision is, she's prepared to deal with the issue herself as well.

"This is a ridiculous situation," she says. "It isn't the way Albertans want politicians to be paid. It's why I asked for an independent look at how everyone in the legislature is being paid."

That's also what Scott Hennig of the CTF would like to see.

"Let's just pay them one, transparent fully taxable lump sum salary and everything's included - whether you meet in a committee or meet with your constituents, whatever you do, it's all included," he says.

That very idea is being mulled over by, ironically, a committee, with a report due at the beginning of May - the same time a spring election is expected.

Prior to 2008, MLAs on legislative committees were paid per meeting. Now, pay for sitting on a legislative committee caps out at $36,000 a year. MLAs can also work on a government committee, though, which can earn them $70,000 more than their MLA salary.

With files from Vassy Kapelos, Global News