Executive salaries at Alberta agencies, boards to be targeted today by new law
CBC revealed compensation paid to executives at Alberta Innovates ranged from $338,000 to $479,000
The Alberta government is introducing long-awaited legislation today to deal with the salaries paid to executives at the province's agencies, boards and commissions.
Finance Minister Joe Ceci will table Bill 19, the Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions Act, Wednesday afternoon.
Ceci had little to say about the bill Tuesday, an acknowledgement of the rule that cabinet ministers shouldn't reveal the content of legislation before MLAs are able to see it.
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He suggested the bill is a measure to reduce government costs in the current economic climate.
"These are public dollars and I think the population expects us to have oversight on all public dollars," Ceci said.
The government has been reviewing the number of agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) since the fall.
Fifteen ABCs were eliminated in the first phase of the review, with another 11 amalgamated into three agencies, moves the government estimates will save $33 million over three years.
Concerns have been raised about the amount and lack of transparency on salaries paid to executives of ABCs. Ceci has expressed a desire to have the salaries brought into line.
A CBC News investigation in May 2015 revealed the salaries paid to executives at the four branches of Alberta Innovates.
Total compensation ranged from $338,000 to $479,000. CBC obtained expenses incurred by these executives through a freedom of information request.
A bill currently before the Alberta legislature seeks to amalgamate the four branches of Alberta Innovates into a single organization.
The government in March announced a salary freeze for ABC managers and non-unionzed staff effective April 1.
The salary amounts will be disclosed when the 2016 sunshine list is unveiled at the end of June.
Corrections
- An earlier version of the story stated 13 ABCs will be amalgamated into three agencies. In fact, that number is 11.May 18, 2016 11:23 AM MT