It's amazing how quickly Parliament and the Conservative Party have kicked Helena Guergis to the curb. Her page on the Parliamentary website has already been changed to reflect the fact that she now sits as an Independent which is noted in black so taxpayers don't get confused about who she doesn't belong to. It is also interesting to note that her personal website is down (as of 10:00 AST Sunday) but her Conservative Party sponsored website is still active.
Before I drop the matter of Helena until the next exciting revelation, I wanted to do a posting on just how much she's earned from the taxpayers of Canada. She was first elected on June 28th, 2004. She was first appointed as a Minister (of State for the Status of Women) on October 30, 2008 until her removal from Cabinet on April 8th, 2010. Prior to her appointment as Minister, she was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Sport from January 1, 2007 and was Parliamentary Secretary for International Trade from February 7, 2006. She also sat on 7 Committees during her tenure.
Let's take a look at her salary during that time frame. Salary years run from April 1 of the first year to March 31 of the following year. I have prorated the Ministerial salary for 2008 to 5 months and the 2004 salary to 9 months.
MP Base Salary Minister Total Salary
2009 - $157,731 $56,637 $214,368
2008 - $155, 400 $56,637 $178,999
2007 - $150,800 $150,800
2006 - $147,700 $147,700
2005 - $144,300 $144,300
2004 - $141,200 $105,900
Her total base salary take as either an MP or as a Minister for the 6 years was a cool $942,067. Not a bad haul for someone who just received her Executive MBA (not the most highly regarded MBA) from the University of Alberta in August 2009 without, it would appear, an undergrad degree. But she did get training as a realtor!
Ask yourself, did you, any family member or your entire family earn that much during that time period? The worst thing for Canadian taxpayers is that she will soon be eligible for the very generous MP pension. She has served 5 years, 9 months and 16 days on the Hill. In less than 3 months, she'll be eligible for a pension once she turns 55 and the Canadian taxpayer will be on the hook, paying her for the balance of her life.
Life is not always fair.
Helena Guergis' Page on the Parliamentary Website
Helena Guergis' Conservative Party Website
Members of the House of Commons - Indemnities, Salaries and Allowances
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