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Critics are voicing their discontent over the government’s so-called ‘Sunshine List’ which reveals the salaries of Alberta’s highest paid government employees.
The report contains the annual pay of 3,000 Government of Alberta employees who all make more than $100,000 per year.
“By sharing this information today, we’re further demonstrating our commitment to openness and accountability. We will continue to set new standards for information sharing just like we’ve done with our open data portal, whistleblower protections, and travel and expense disclosure requirements,” said Don Scott, Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency, and Transformation, in a release.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and the Wildrose Party are crying foul over some of the details included in the disclosure, which was made available online this week.
They mention that Redford’s Chief of Staff, Farouk Adatia, makes over $316,000 per year, which is more than President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff.
Premier Redford, however, defended the salaries of government employees on Wednesday, saying that they’re well paid because they’re worth it.
She says Alberta is more competitive that that requires higher caliber staff demand higher salaries.
“I'm very proud of the people that work in my office very hard every day to put in place the plans that we need to keep building this province, These are incredibly highly skilled, quality people and I do think it's appropriate to compensate them adequately,” Redford said.
There are also a number of Medical Examiners on the list who all make well over $300,000 per year. Redford says that it was only a few years ago when the government was criticized for not paying Medical Examiners enough.
She says the salaries they currently receive are what they deserve.
Nevertheless, the CTF still has praise for the list, calling it the most comprehensive government employee compensation disclosure in the country.
The organization hopes that future lists will be able to control the growth of weekly earnings.
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/storm-brewing ... -1.1671885
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