Some of our provincial and federal politicians might want to pay attention to a story out of Britain. One of that country’s backbench MPs has accepted several moonlighting jobs while remaining a member of Parliament.
George Osborne, formerly Britain’s finance minister, has agreed to serve as the editor of a major English newspaper. He has also accepted several corporate appointments.
Osborne will earn $2 million from these engagements, on top of his MP’s salary of roughly $125,000. Asked how he could manage this workload, Osborne said he would edit the paper in the morning, and attend Parliament in the afternoon.
What happens next is uncertain. More than 145,000 people have signed a petition insisting he either resign his seat or give up the moonlighting jobs.
But the same demand could be made of politicians in Canada. For the rules that apply in Britain’s House of Commons are essentially the same as those here.
Federal and provincial cabinet ministers are allowed to take on secondary employment, so long as there is no conflict of interest. The most frequent examples are physicians and lawyers, who have to keep their hand in if they wish to maintain their professional certifications. But there is nothing in the rule book to prevent cabinet ministers following in Osborne’s footsteps.
And when it comes to backbench MLAs and MPs, the doors are wide open. As with ministers, there is an expectation that they will avoid anything that creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.
But beyond that, there is no requirement that they commit themselves exclusively to their elected duties. They can take on as many moonlighting jobs as they please.
Indeed, we’ve been told that it is not uncommon for MLAs in B.C. to manage business responsibilities outside government.
This is surely not in the public interest. Some of these permissive rules date back to when MPs and MLAs were modestly paid. In 1963, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Red Kelly won the Stanley Cup while serving as an MP.
But those days are gone. The basic salary for an MLA in B.C. is $104,000, along with numerous benefits, top-ups, a severance payment worth up to 15 months’ income and a gold-plated pension plan.
For that kind of money, we are entitled to the full attention of our elected representatives. That’s all the more true when attendance at the B.C. legislature is considered.
With the exception of question period and a handful of significant debates, the house is often more than half empty. The question must be asked: Where are all the people we’re paying to do our business?
B.C. is a large province, and some MLAs must travel long distances when the legislature is sitting. That is certainly a challenge.
In addition, constituency work can be demanding, and there are only so many hours in the day. No one suggests elected office is a cakewalk.
But that’s just the problem. With so many demands on the typical MLA’s time, it makes no sense to permit moonlighting.
In times as difficult and demanding as these, elected office, whether at the provincial or federal level, can no longer be considered part-time work.
This is a matter that incoming members of the legislature should take up after May’s general election.
No doubt that will mean a financial sacrifice for some. And regrettably, sacrificing their self-interest isn’t something our politicians are very keen on.
But the days of moonlighting should be over. We are entitled to expect nothing less from the men and women who run our province.
The message must be: You can run a business, or be an MLA, but you can’t do both.
