The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the British Columbia government to debate Liberal MLA Todd Stone’s private members bill to freeze politician pay amid the legislative session ending in one week. .“This is good legislation which desperately needs to pass before the close of the legislative session,” said CTF British Columbia Director Carson Binda in a Wednesday press release. .“Politicians shouldn’t be giving themselves pay raises while families are struggling to make ends meet.” .Stone announced October 6 he would table a private member’s bill to freeze MLA salaries, which are tied to inflation, for the forthcoming year..READ MORE: 'Lead by example': BC Liberals propose MLA pay freeze.The move would be similar to what the British Columbia Liberals did one decade ago..“As our constituents continue to face financial challenges due to inflation, the last thing they’d want to see is their MLA receiving a pay bump,” said Stone. .MLA pay is set to rise by $10,000 in April, except if Stone’s bill passes. If it's not debated and passed this week, it will be removed from the order paper. .This fall has seen record-breaking demand for food banks, as polls suggest one-in-five Canadians are skipping meals because of high prices. Fuel prices are breaking records across British Columbia, making life more expensive. .The release said with a base salary exceeding $219,000, British Columbia Premier David Eby makes three times more than the median household income in the province. .“Politicians are supposed to be representing their constituents, not giving themselves raises while the rest of us tighten our belts,” said Binda.
