More than 600 Alberta nurses have made in onto the province’s sunshine list – a list of government workers who make more than $129,809 in annual pay..In fact, one nurse took home more than $240,000 a year, according to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation..“Nurses provide an important service for Albertans, but premium pay provisions have gotten out of hand and that’s why more than 600 nurses are on the sunshine list,” said Franco Terrazzano, Alberta Director for the CTF..“Most people rely on their salary for their income, but the highest paid registered nurse in Alberta received more than 60 per cent of their income from inflated premium pay rates and benefits.”.The basic hourly pay rate for a top registered nurse in Alberta is $48.37/hour, which translates to about $92,900 per year and is the highest hourly rate in Canada. .CTF said 614 nurses made more than the sunshine list barrier of $129,809..Terrazzano said Alberta government nurses can receive more than their basic hourly rate through premium pay rates for nights and weekend shifts, overtime pay and related benefits. .“In 2018, the highest paid registered nurse received $240,058 in salary, premium pay and benefits, meaning the top hourly rate only accounted for 39 per cent of total compensation; premium pay and benefits accounted for 61 per cent,” he said..“Finance Minister Travis Toews needs to pull Albertans out of the $70- billion debt hole, and reining in the platinum perks is the perfect place to start – it’s not fair for struggling taxpayers to keep paying for unreasonable benefits on top of already high salaries.”.— More to come.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: Nobby7694
