'Do-nothing' committee angers voters, says PC candidate

A Progressive Conservative candidate in Calgary says she's unhappy with how her leader has handled the issue of the "do-nothing" committee pay after hearing back from angry voters during her door knocking campaign.

Members of an all-party committee were paid $1,000 a month, but the panel hasn't met for four years. 

At a recent caucus meeting, Alison Redford ordered PC members of the committee to pay back $6,000 — the money they've been paid since Redford was sworn in as premier. 

Donna Kennedy-Glans, the PC candidate in Calgary-Varsity, says the decision was obviously a compromise but she's not satisfied with it and neither are voters.

 "I'm frustrated by how that looks to the population, the community here in Calgary-Varsity," she said.  "It's a very complex issue, compensation. It's got a whole bunch of different aspects."

Kennedy-Glans has been finding a lot of anger at voters' doors about MLAs getting paid to be on a committee that didn't meet. She says it makes her angry too and she's frustrated that Redford only demanded $6,000.

"It's a step in the right direction but it's not the full answer," said Kennedy-Glans, who blogged about her dissatisfaction this week.

Candidate entitled to her opinions, says Redford

Redford says Kennedy-Glans is entitled to her opinion on the issue and she will not be punished for speaking out.

Kennedy-Glans appreciated the PC leader's understanding.

She said she's in a three-way race in her northwest Calgary riding, which is now held by the Liberals but has growing Wildrose support.

"I think I am free to speak about issues that really matter to this community," she said. "I know I'm free to do that."

Redford has a former Supreme Court justice reviewing MLA compensation.

Kennedy-Glans said she is confident the review will get to the bottom of the issue.

"Justice [Jack] Major has been asked to look at that whole issue and I trust him," she said. "He was a Supreme Court justice. He's independent."