Every year provincial politicians line up at the trough and accept without question the annual increase in pay and perks given them by the patronage appointed Indemnities and Allowances Commission.

When questioned they squirm out justifications such as the need for regional parity and a desire to increase levels of pay and perks to attract the best candidates.

We know that’s a failed opinion. Just look at the continued spectacle Liberal members of Public Accounts are making to keep secret as many details of the Provincial Nominee Program as possible.  Pay has nothing to do with what they are doing, which is abusive and anti-democratic.

While MLAs get annual raises, for little apparent justification, the poorest in Island society can go years without any increase to support payments.  The Women’s Network of PEI want rates indexed to the consumer price index.

It’s a good idea.

The best the Ghiz government will do is promise to study rates. It’s political BS.

We need something substantive. Why is pay to politicians increased yearly but not welfare payments? And before anyone gets on their high horse about making it easy for those on welfare consider this: the food allowance was increased this year by 10 cent. It was the first increase in eight years. Repeat eight years. 

That is a failure of leadership. It is a failure of basic human decency.