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Quick thread on the Governor General's annuity and benefits.
First, kudos to @btaplatt for his reporting on the amount that former GG's get for their professional expenses in retirement.
The $100k I mentioned in an interview yesterday was based on the amount Clarkson claimed, but as Brian reported it varies and may be double that. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/expense-program-for-former-governors-general-has-caused-concern-for-two-decades-trudeau-told-in-briefing-note
Second, why the pension and benefits? And why that much?
Above all, the pension ensures that the GG has financial independence in retirement. In theory, this should prevent situations where GGs are making decisions based on having to make money after they're done.
Above all, the pension ensures that the GG has financial independence in retirement. In theory, this should prevent situations where GGs are making decisions based on having to make money after they're done.
Now, we may ask why someone in their 50s should be getting an annuity. They can still work, after all.
Well, the problem here isn't the annuity, but appointing someone in that age bracket.
Well, the problem here isn't the annuity, but appointing someone in that age bracket.
This may seem ageist against the young, but viceregal offices are better held by those nearing retirement age.
You don't want to have someone worried about what they're going to be doing after they've held the second highest office of state.
You don't want to have someone worried about what they're going to be doing after they've held the second highest office of state.
As @rberthelsen notes, the amount of the annuity is also meant to provide a certain standard of living.
We can debate if that's appropriate, and what that amount should be, but keeping it on the higher end may help ensure that these offices aren't only attractive to the wealthy
We can debate if that's appropriate, and what that amount should be, but keeping it on the higher end may help ensure that these offices aren't only attractive to the wealthy
What about the professional expenses?
This one's harder for people to swallow. The idea is that former GGs will remain involved in various activities that they initiated when in office, so we should support them after they leave.
I can see why there's bristling here.
This one's harder for people to swallow. The idea is that former GGs will remain involved in various activities that they initiated when in office, so we should support them after they leave.
I can see why there's bristling here.
Turning back to @btaplatt's reporting, though, we should note that most former GGs aren't spending three figures on expenses post-retirement.
