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Wow. The Ontario legislature just gave unanimous consent to reduce @Roman_Baber's salary to the rate of CERB.
This is in response to his PMB to reduce all members' salaries to that rate, which he just tabled.
This is in response to his PMB to reduce all members' salaries to that rate, which he just tabled.
Baber asked for unanimous consent to move his bill forward it was denied. In response, Government House Leader Paul Calandra stood up and made the motion to reduce only Baber's salary.
Calandra followed up with another one that would restore Baber's salary once Toronto exited the grey lockdown zone (which it hasn't entered yet) but that was denied. So, I guess it's unclear what's going to happen next for Baber.
Baber, by way of background, sits as an independent after being kicked out of the PC caucus for opposing the province's lockdown.
Speaker Ted Arnott now says that members' salaries are a matter of statute, so he'll have to consider whether or not the motion was in order. He'll report back tomorrow.
A couple of updates to this. MPP salaries were frozen in 2009 at $116,550, with extra pay for extra duties. I believe Baber would be at the base rate. Secondly, it looks like the motion was likely out of order, but awaiting the Speaker's ruling on that.
And yes, Speaker Ted Arnott has ruled it out of order, so there will be no effect on Baber's salary. He also cautioned MPPs to consider the "unintended consequences that can arise when spontaneous decisions are agreed to with unanimous consent."
Calandra weighed in supporting the ruling. He also said it highlights the need for members to have the opportunity to review legislation and motions before deciding on them. (The background context to this may be several NDP motions for unanimous consent to pass their PMBs).
