WATERLOO—Former MPP Elizabeth Witmer is “worth every single penny” of the $188,000 she’ll be paid as the new chair of the Workplace Safety Insurance Board, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Thursday.
“It is a big job,” the premier added in defending the wage that is higher than the job’s current occupant, former Liberal MPP Steve Mahoney who did it on a part-time basis and was not on the “sunshine list” of public sector earners making over $100,000 annually.
Mahoney, however, was paid $129,400 last year but was not on the salary disclosure list because, as part-time chair billing on a per diem basis, he is not classified as a full-time employee. The maximum payout for his job was set at $135,000, a WSIB spokesperson said.
McGuinty made the comments in a campaign-style appearance at a health care company in Witmer’s former riding of Waterloo, where a by-election must be called by late October.
Witmer stunned political observers last week when she left the Progressive Conservatives to take the job with the WSIB.
A Liberal victory could give McGuinty’s minority government a de facto majority.
The premier was clearly courting Witmer supporters in carefully crafted remarks.
“Elizabeth Witmer is one of those people who gives politics a good name,” he told reporters.
“She transcends partisanship,” added McGuinty, who had been the subject of some stinging attacks from her in the legislature’s daily question period.
A local Conservative MPP, whose party has been critical of high public sector wages, would not comment on Witmer’s pay in the new post she’s slated to take on later this month.
“It’s not going to be about what Elizabeth Witmer is making,” Cambridge Tory Rob Leone said in an interview.
He dismissed a poll in today’s Toronto Star suggesting the Liberals have an early lead in the byelection race.
“The campaign hasn’t started yet.”
McGuinty said he does not feel an “overwhelming urge” to call the by-election soon, preferring time for rival parties and voters to get ready, but would not commit to holding off on a call until Tories and New Democrats have nominated candidates.
Original Article
Source: Star
Author: Rob Ferguson
“It is a big job,” the premier added in defending the wage that is higher than the job’s current occupant, former Liberal MPP Steve Mahoney who did it on a part-time basis and was not on the “sunshine list” of public sector earners making over $100,000 annually.
Mahoney, however, was paid $129,400 last year but was not on the salary disclosure list because, as part-time chair billing on a per diem basis, he is not classified as a full-time employee. The maximum payout for his job was set at $135,000, a WSIB spokesperson said.
McGuinty made the comments in a campaign-style appearance at a health care company in Witmer’s former riding of Waterloo, where a by-election must be called by late October.
Witmer stunned political observers last week when she left the Progressive Conservatives to take the job with the WSIB.
A Liberal victory could give McGuinty’s minority government a de facto majority.
The premier was clearly courting Witmer supporters in carefully crafted remarks.
“Elizabeth Witmer is one of those people who gives politics a good name,” he told reporters.
“She transcends partisanship,” added McGuinty, who had been the subject of some stinging attacks from her in the legislature’s daily question period.
A local Conservative MPP, whose party has been critical of high public sector wages, would not comment on Witmer’s pay in the new post she’s slated to take on later this month.
“It’s not going to be about what Elizabeth Witmer is making,” Cambridge Tory Rob Leone said in an interview.
He dismissed a poll in today’s Toronto Star suggesting the Liberals have an early lead in the byelection race.
“The campaign hasn’t started yet.”
McGuinty said he does not feel an “overwhelming urge” to call the by-election soon, preferring time for rival parties and voters to get ready, but would not commit to holding off on a call until Tories and New Democrats have nominated candidates.
Original Article
Source: Star
Author: Rob Ferguson
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