MLAs say yes to richer pension plan

DENISE RIDEOUT

Nunavut’s MLAs voted to give themselves a richer pension plan this week, despite protests from Nunavummiut who want more money for education, infrastructure and social services, and pleas from some dissenting MLAs.

On March 5, after almost four hours of debate, MLAs passed a new law that will see the Legislative Assembly spend an estimated $2.7 million over the next four years to give bigger pensions to members who opt into the plan.

The debate, which got increasingly heated as the night wore on, pitted three MLAs against 14 members who supported a supplementary pension plan that will be tacked onto their existing pension plan.

But the dissenting views weren’t enough to stop Bill 21, the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, from getting third reading.

It will become law when it gets royal assent from the commissioner.

Under the new plan, instead of contributing 6 per cent of their earnings to their pension plan, MLAs will contribute 9 per cent. It ultimately gives them bigger pensions, which they can claim at age 60, or immediately after they are defeated or retire from office.

In order to make the program work, the Nunavut government will have to chip in additional money. In all, it will cost $2.7 million over the estimated four-year life of the current assembly, or about $700,000 a year.

Hunter Tootoo, the MLA for Iqaluit Centre, was adamant that the raise isn’t justified, given Nunavut’s housing shortage, its poor education system, and the obvious lack of basic infrastructure.

“This is money which, if it doesn’t go towards our retirement, could be contributed to youth organizations, shelters or elders’ groups or other community organizations. They are always told there is no funding available to support local programs,” Tootoo told the other MLAs.

“How can we tell them this just after finding money to enhance our own pension plans? If we pass this bill, how are we going to be able to look these people in the eye?” he said.

The vote actually had a regional divide. The three Iqaluit MLAs, Tootoo, Paul Okalik and Ed Picco, voted to reject it.

The remaining 14 MLAs, who represent Nunavut’s other communities, voted in favour of the bill.

Quttiktuq MLA Rebekah Uqi Williams didn’t stay for the debate and thus didn’t cast a vote. She said later that she will opt out of the supplementary pension plan.

Help us, not yourselves

Just hours before MLAs passed the pension bill, a group of Iqaluit residents protested on the steps of the Legislative Assembly building.

About 20 people, including social activists, teachers and GN employees, called for MLAs to reject the pension bill.

They carried neon orange and pink signs containing various slogans. One, written in Inuktitut, said “Spend the money on youth” and another said “MLAs pensions more important than housing?”

David Serkoak, the principal of Iqaluit’s Joamie School, was there to pressure MLAs to put the money into Inuktitut education.

“In the early years, after I graduated, I was asked to sit on a committee to develop Inuktitut curriculum,” he said. “Twenty-five years later I’m still struggling to have that in place.”

Madeline Redfern, a law school student who spearheaded the protest, said she’s appalled MLAs are even thinking of using public money to benefit themselves.

“It’s shocking,” Redfern said, standing in front of the doors to the Legislative Assembly. “We’re in crisis proportions in so many areas and yet they are looking at increasing their own pension.”

Three MLAs opt out

Some of those concerns swayed at least three of the MLAs.

Iqaluit East MLA Ed Picco voted against the pension raise because his constituents urged him to. Iqaluit residents have come knocking on his door at home to tell him not to take the raise, he said.

“A majority of my constituents have said they don’t support the pension raise. I’m dissenting because my constituents told me they don’t support it,” he told the MLAs.

The premier shot down the pension plan outright. “The issue of a pension is a personal matter. It’s not a matter for Nunavut to carry that burden for me. For that reason, I will opt out of this plan.”

Okalik also said he wants to make it clear that this was not a government bill, but a bill sponsored by a majority of MLAs.

Other MLAs came out defending their decisions, saying they have no job security when they leave politics, and that they have families to take care of.

“It gives us a cushion,” said Olayuk Akesuk, minister of sustainable development. “If we’re not re-elected it will be hard to find jobs.”

Enoki Irqittuq, MLA for Igloolik and Hall Beach, said: “I think this is very simple. This is for our future.”

Jack Anawak, minister of culture, language, elders and youth, said politicians work hard, are on call 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, and are criticized harshly by the media.

He said they have a right to make sure they’re financially stable when they leave politics.

James Arvaluk, the MLA for Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet, said his pension will ensure his children are cared for. He wanted to sign on to the plan right away, instead of waiting out the 30-day deadline.

“I don’t want to wait the 30 days for Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet to tell me they don’t want me to do it,” Arvaluk said.

The final vote, which came in around 9:15 p.m., was 14 in favour and three opposed.