Latest news with #PeterBethlenfalvy
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Ontario MPPs to get raises after 16-year freeze and access to new pension plan
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. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We're not going to build the future of this province by excluding the people who have the qualifications and have the knowledge to move us forward. So we're fully in support and I'd like to thank Premier (Doug) Ford and his government for, quite frankly, having the guts to do this.' The base pay for Ontario's elected officials has been frozen since 2009 at $116,550, and the changes would boost the salary to $157,350, which is 75 per cent of what federal MPs make. That will still be less than what city councillors in Toronto earn. Premier Doug Ford's salary would rise from about $209,000 to about $282,000 and cabinet ministers would see their pay increase from about $166,000 to about $224,000. The bill would also resurrect a pension plan for the members of provincial parliament, 30 years after the previous one was abolished by former premier Mike Harris' government. The new plan would see members enrolled in the existing Public Service Pension Plan, and they would then be entitled to supplemental benefits for MPPs who serve at least six years. Representatives of the Liberals, Greens and the lone Independent member also said it was time for the pay freeze to end. 'I want to thank the premier,' said Bobbi Ann Brady, who represents Haldimand-Norfolk as an Independent. 'I want to thank the minister and the government house leader for righting what I feel is almost a 16-year wrong,' she said. 'I continually talk about the spirit of co-operation amongst us all and I think today there is a nice spirit of co-operation here.' Bethlenfalvy said it is the right thing to do. 'I know that many people across the province work tirelessly each day to put food on the table and pay the rent,' he said. 'It's fair and reasonable. It'll be at 75 per cent of the federal compensation. It's still less than a Toronto city councillor will be paid or a Mississauga city councillor and we're going to work tirelessly each and every day, sometimes in different ways, to help all Ontarians.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Ontario MPPs to get raises after 16-year freeze and access to new pension plan
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. Article content Article content 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. Article content '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. Article content Article content 'We're not going to build the future of this province by excluding the people who have the qualifications and have the knowledge to move us forward. So we're fully in support and I'd like to thank Premier (Doug) Ford and his government for, quite frankly, having the guts to do this.' Article content The base pay for Ontario's elected officials has been frozen since 2009 at $116,550, and the changes would boost the salary to $157,350, which is 75 per cent of what federal MPs make. That will still be less than what city councillors in Toronto earn. Premier Doug Ford's salary would rise from about $209,000 to about $282,000 and cabinet ministers would see their pay increase from about $166,000 to about $224,000. Article content The bill would also resurrect a pension plan for the members of provincial parliament, 30 years after the previous one was abolished by former premier Mike Harris' government. Article content Article content The new plan would see members enrolled in the existing Public Service Pension Plan, and they would then be entitled to supplemental benefits for MPPs who serve at least six years. Article content Article content Representatives of the Liberals, Greens and the lone Independent member also said it was time for the pay freeze to end. 'I want to thank the premier,' said Bobbi Ann Brady, who represents Haldimand-Norfolk as an Independent. Article content 'I want to thank the minister and the government house leader for righting what I feel is almost a 16-year wrong,' she said. 'I continually talk about the spirit of co-operation amongst us all and I think today there is a nice spirit of co-operation here.' Bethlenfalvy said it is the right thing to do. Article content 'I know that many people across the province work tirelessly each day to put food on the table and pay the rent,' he said. 'It's fair and reasonable. It'll be at 75 per cent of the federal compensation. It's still less than a Toronto city councillor will be paid or a Mississauga city councillor and we're going to work tirelessly each and every day, sometimes in different ways, to help all Ontarians.' Article content
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ontario MPPs to receive 35 percent salary increase and reinstated pension plan
Ontario's Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are set to receive a significant salary increase and regain access to a pension plan, marking the end of a 16-year salary freeze. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy introduced legislation on May 29, 2025, proposing a 35 percent pay raise for MPPs, aligning their base salary with 75 percent of that of federal Members of Parliament (MPs). Salary adjustments Under the new legislation, the base salary for MPPs will increase from $116,550 to $157,350. Premier Doug Ford's salary will rise from approximately $208,974 to $282,129, while cabinet ministers will see their pay increase from about $165,851 to $223,909. The Leader of the Official Opposition will now be paid $244,207, up from $180,866. These changes are retroactive to the date of the 2025 Ontario election. Pension plan reinstatement The legislation also proposes the reinstatement of a pension plan for MPPs, which was abolished in 1995 by then-Premier Mike Harris. Under the new plan, MPPs will join the existing Ontario Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) and will be eligible for supplemental benefits after serving at least six years. This move aims to attract qualified individuals to serve in the provincial legislature. Live Events Legislative support The proposed changes have received support from all parties in the legislature. NDP representative John Vanthof emphasized the importance of offering competitive compensation to attract qualified candidates, stating, "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.' The legislation is expected to add $6 million in payroll costs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, representing 0.06 percent of the total compensation awarded to Ontario's public servants.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Ontario MPPs to receive 35 percent salary increase and reinstated pension plan
Salary adjustments Pension plan reinstatement Live Events Legislative support (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Ontario's Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are set to receive a significant salary increase and regain access to a pension plan, marking the end of a 16-year salary freeze. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy introduced legislation on May 29, 2025, proposing a 35 percent pay raise for MPPs, aligning their base salary with 75 percent of that of federal Members of Parliament (MPs).Under the new legislation, the base salary for MPPs will increase from $116,550 to $157,350. Premier Doug Ford's salary will rise from approximately $208,974 to $282,129, while cabinet ministers will see their pay increase from about $165,851 to $223, Leader of the Official Opposition will now be paid $244,207, up from $180,866. These changes are retroactive to the date of the 2025 Ontario election. The legislation also proposes the reinstatement of a pension plan for MPPs, which was abolished in 1995 by then-Premier Mike Harris. Under the new plan, MPPs will join the existing Ontario Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) and will be eligible for supplemental benefits after serving at least six years. This move aims to attract qualified individuals to serve in the provincial legislature. The proposed changes have received support from all parties in the legislature. NDP representative John Vanthof emphasized the importance of offering competitive compensation to attract qualified candidates, stating, "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.'The legislation is expected to add $6 million in payroll costs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, representing 0.06 percent of the total compensation awarded to Ontario's public servants.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ford government reacts to latest U.S. tariff twist, vowing to protect Ontario workers
Social Sharing Ontario government officials say the province remains committed to protecting workers and the economy, after a U.S. court quashed some of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Wednesday. On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down Trump's 10 per cent tariff on most countries and his 25 per cent tariffs on numerous Canadian and Mexican goods, leaving the tariffs on steel and aluminum in place. "The signals from the courts, you couldn't categorize them as good news or bad news," said Vic Fedeli, the minister of economic development, job creation and trade, at a news conference on Thursday. Fedeli says the court's decision is simply the most recent development in the daily "twists and turns" of tariffs, and that the provincial government will continue its efforts to keep Ontario workers in high-value jobs. Fedeli spoke alongside Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy about the government's latest efforts to boost Ontario's economy and protect its workers. Bethlenfalvy also said the province's number one goal with regard to the tariffs is keeping workers safe. "We want no tariffs. We want all workers [protected]. We are protecting our economy so we can keep people working, keep them in business, and support business and support families," he said. Province says mining project needed amid tariff threat Bethlenfalvy says that's why Ontario government is spending $500 million to create a new critical minerals processing fund. The fund will support projects that speed up the province's critical minerals processing capacity and made-in-Ontario supply chain, according to a Thursday news release. Minerals mined in Ontario will be processed in the province by Ontario workers, the release says. "We're investing to unlock and process these resources right here in Ontario, securing good-paying jobs and building resilient communities for the future," Bethlenfalvy said in the same news release. The $500 million investment comes as Ford's government is pushing ahead with the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, or Bill 5, which it says will speed up the approval of mining projects in Ontario. Critics say tariffs not a legitimate reason for project However, critics say the province is using the threat of tariffs as an excuse to loosen environmental regulations on the industry, as the legislation includes major changes to the province's endangered species and environmental protection laws. Jamie Kneen, national program co-lead for Mining Watch Canada, a non-profit advocacy group, previously told CBC Toronto it's undemocratic for the government to give itself the power to exclude mines in special economic zones from environmental regulations. He questions whether tariffs are a legitimate reason to reduce regulatory oversight of the mining sector. "They're just using this as a pretext for doing what they wanted to do already and hoping that people won't notice that the two are not really connected," Kneen said. Bethlenfalvy says both the federal and provincial governments are "very unified" on combatting tariffs and promoting economic growth for Canada and Ontario. Fedeli said it's "discouraging" to hear Trump say the U.S. doesn't need Canada, when over half of the nickel that the U.S. uses for its aerospace and defence sectors comes from Ontario. The province will continue mining and processing critical minerals, Fedeli said, sending the U.S. a "powerful signal."
