KLEIN: Fiscal responsibility necessary at all levels of government

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In a recent move that slipped under the public radar, our Federal elected representatives pushed back the election date to ensure that many current Members of Parliament qualify for their golden pensions. This action has raised important questions about fiscal responsibility and the accountability of our elected officials. Why isn’t there an uproar in the streets demanding a return to the original election date? Why isn’t there a more significant pushback from political parties? The silence is deafening.

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This decision highlights a disturbing trend: politicians prioritize their financial benefits over the fiscal health of the government and the economic well-being of the public. Despite the frequent rhetoric about cutting expenses and reducing taxes, actions like these starkly contradict those promises. Ensuring golden pensions for MPs amid discussions on fiscal austerity is nothing short of hypocritical.

The issue extends beyond the federal level. During the provincial election last year, the NDP and their union supporters criticized Conservative MLAs for accepting pay raises. A union was delivering pamphlets door to door, telling voters their MLA took a raise, but only if they were Conservatives. I didn’t see one in areas that had an NDP representative.

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In addition, the NDP caucus members accepted the same raises without public protest and just recently accepted another raise. Where are the pamphlets in our mailboxes denouncing this double standard? The silence from NDP MLAs and their union allies is palpable. Facts matter, and so does accountability.

Winnipeg’s elected representatives are equally culpable. Members of the Executive Policy Committee, including Mayor Scott Gillingham, and councillors Janice Lukes, Jeff Browaty, Evan Duncan, Sherri Rollins, and Brian Mayes, receive approximately $14,000 per annum to align with the mayor’s inner circle. Coun. Lukes also receives additional pay as the Deputy Mayor. These elected officials voted to increase their expense accounts substantially, while communities are told there isn’t enough money to support local initiatives. These representatives earn over $100,000 annually, yet they continue to approve pay increases for themselves, detached from the financial struggles of their constituents.

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Elected officials will argue that competitive salaries are necessary to attract qualified individuals. However, private sector leaders would never be able to operate with the same lack of accountability as elected officials. Companies would not survive if they were managed like the government. In the private sector, many leaders earn their income based on achieving objectives and receiving performance bonuses. So, why consider restructuring the remuneration for our representatives? A smaller base salary could be paired with financial incentives tied to fulfilling their promises. This change could ensure that their compensation is directly linked to their performance and the achievement of their commitments.

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This situation begs the question: why do we, the electorate, allow these actions to continue unchecked? Like children who test boundaries, our elected officials will continue to exploit their positions as long as they face no repercussions. It’s time for a change, and that change starts with us holding our representatives accountable.

In these challenging economic times, where many citizens face financial hardships, it is unacceptable for elected officials in Manitoba to be among the top 1% of earners. When budget cuts are necessary, the first items on the chopping block should be the excessive expense accounts and unjustified pay raises of our representatives. They must lead by example, freezing their salaries until they gain control of spending. After all, many MLAs and City Councillors already have additional jobs.

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A comprehensive solution to this issue is a zero-based budget review for both the city of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba. This approach, which involves starting from a “zero base” and justifying every expense, has the potential to uncover millions, if not hundreds of millions, in unnecessary spending. Winnipeg has trained individuals, including government employees, who are capable of performing these reviews, yet they remain underutilized.

This is not a partisan issue; it transcends political affiliations. Regardless of one’s political stripe, there is a universal agreement that strong governance and fiscal responsibility are long overdue. When unions push back against scrutinizing all expenses, it raises suspicion about what they are trying to hide. Transparency and accountability should be non-negotiable in government operations.

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The recent actions of our elected representatives at all levels of government demonstrate a glaring disconnect between their rhetoric and reality. The decision to prioritize personal financial benefits over the public good betrays public trust. It’s high time for citizens to demand fiscal responsibility and accountability from their leaders. Only through active engagement and holding our representatives accountable can we ensure that government actions align with the public’s best interests. The time for change is now, and it starts with us.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and is the President & CEO of Klein Group Ltd.

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