Bad optics made worse when premier’s office refuses to comment about salaries: Groom

By GILLIAN SLADE on May 21, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

Local political science instructor says Premier Jason Kenney is being held to account for the high salaries paid to his staff because his platform to get elected was all about fiscal responsibility.

Jim Groom, political science instructor at Medicine Hat College, says Kenney promised Albertans a different approach where spending was going to be reigned in. In contrast the NDP’s promise was about spending more and having a deficit budget.

Salaries for 19 political staff in Kenney’s office include two people making more than $224,000, four with salaries close to $200,000 and the balance receive more than $114,000 each for a total of more than $2.9 million.

“I can see why some would need to be paid well but this is infrastructure of gigantic proportions,” said Groom, noting Kenney seems to have lost touch with wages in the private sector.

Last summer Kenney took a 10 per cent pay cut, reducing his annual pay to about $186,000.

“We were elected with a mandate to be fiscally responsible and that has to start at the top,” Kenney said at the time.

The job titles and descriptions for the premier’s staff indicates many are responsible for protecting Kenney’s image and that of the UCP, said Groom. Some should possibly be paid by the party rather than the taxpayer.

“There is also a lot of duplication – three people for communication,” said Groom.

Kenney’s office has refused multiple requests for an interview. Groom says that lack of willingness to be interviewed for legitimate questioning is concerning.

“He wants to remain mute on this. He does not feel obliged to provide any explanation to the media or the public,” said Groom.

Under the Westminster parliamentary system it is particularly important for elected official to be held accountable in the media, said Groom. When there is a majority government the opposition has little sway in holding the government to account.

“When a question is asked it is expected they will come forward with a response,” said Groom. “Kenney tends to go on the attack rather than to explain things.”

A statement from the premier’s office said the remuneration for the office staff is 21 per cent less than it was under Rachel Notley’s NDP government.

On Tuesday the News requested an interview with Notley. Wednesday afternoon, Leah Ward, director of communications, responded to that request.

“Unfortunately we don’t have access to the information about our total staff complement as those records would have been left with the government.”