Should Canadian taxpayers be on the hook for co-ordinator's inflated $348,000 $348,661 salary?
Let's see, he only worked 49 total days, so that a little over $7,000 a day of our hard-earned money! EGAD!! That's quite high. However, there seems to be a little discussion brewing over whether or not Vaughn Blaney ever actually accepted such a salary as fact-finding and outreach coordinator [Agent Orange Study] in the first place? I have to admit, at this point, I don't know what to think as both sides have a very different take on the matter. Frankly, if the story coming from Blaney is true? then there could be a serious case made for sloppy government accounting (poor accountability) as it is simply unacceptable to run the books in this fashion (place all the spending by one name) when it is actually earmarked for office purchases and staff hirings.
Furthermore, it should be noted that if Fredericton Liberal MP Andy Scott says it's OK [above board], then it must be OK, right? It's not like he and his party have ever been known to glaze over the truth, especially when it comes to spending our hard-earned cash.
More to come on this one.
Update
Here's the Public Accounts link to professional and special services. Scroll down to page 86 under "other professional services". The amount is listed by his name "Vaughn Blaney". For the record, there are administration cost cited separately under other categories. Not sure what to think? I guess I'll let you, the taxpayer, make the call.
Update II (To Mr. Blaney)
5 Comments:
Oh, how curious? I wonder what document he would submit to Revenue Canada in order to claim the 49 day salary on his income taxes? Obviously, if you believe Blaney's side of the story, the official government (public accounts) documents are flawed (or don't tell the whole story). Maybe he has the correct figure on the back of a napkin? :)
Nice post, its nice to see some links and looks at government documents. For some perspective though, take a look at what an NB MLA's salary is for a year, multiply that, and remember that in 2006 they worked not much more than Blaney.
ellen: maybe you should ask Andy Scott that question since it was alleged that his boss, back in the 90s, did most of his best work off of the back of a napkin. ;-)
mikel: Thanks. I have to agree with you on one of your two points. That being that a sitting of the NB Legislature is far too short and makes MLAs put a rush job on way too many bills without ample debate in the chamber or in committee. As for their paychecks, I've always been of mind that they are being paid way too low. Any MLA or staffer who has worked for one knows the 24 hour committment it takes in their particular riding and in Freddy to do a good job. It really is your life, not your job. For the record, it's two to three times as bad as a federal MP. They really do earn their keep.
However, with that being said, I would still like to see them hold more town halls in their ridings and sit more in the house.
Does anybody out there have a document that breakdown like Blaney suggests in the article???
The system is pretty corrupt out there!
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