Ontario MPPs to get raises after 16-year freeze; bill to establish new pension plan [Video]

Ontario members of provincial parliament are getting big raises and access to a pension plan, under legislation introduced by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and passed with the support of all parties at breakneck speed.

Shortly after members sent the pay raise bill barrelling through the legislative process – it spent about 13 minutes from tabling to passage – representatives from all parties stood shoulder-to-shoulder outside the chamber in rare agreement.

“When we’re looking for other candidates, qualified people, to actually direct the future of this province, for most of them, they have to take a huge pay cut to come here and give up, in many cases, pensions,” said NDP Opposition house leader John Vanthof.

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