Based on a promise made in 2012 when Redford’s government voted in an 8% pay hike for MLAs shortly after the election, the Wildrose Official Opposition have been donating the extra pay their 17 MLAs have received as a result, to charities across the province.
This week, The Chestermere Regional Food Bank was among the hard working and deserving charities that received a donation from the Wildrose Caucus Foundation, a charitable fund created by the Wildrose Caucus using the extra pay Wildrose MLAs received as a result of the pay hike.
Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Bruce McAllister made the cheque presentation to volunteers at the Food Bank on Friday January.31st. “I saw a need and an opportunity to help, and I am grateful I was able to push for the Chestermere Food Bank to receive funds from our foundation” says McAllister, who is the Vice-Chair of the Wildrose Caucus Foundation.
“I don’t think people realize that as the community grows so does the amount of people that depend on the Food Bank”, McAllister stated. “The Chestermere Food Bank is unique because they are where they are, ideally they would have a more private location and room for a fridge and freezer.”
According to volunteers at the Chestermere Food Bank, use to their services has nearly doubled over the past three years. “We served 366 people in 2010 and 609 in 2013 and are currently distributing 3 or 4 hampers each week”, said Mardi Oel, a volunteer at the Food Bank.
“This very generous donation will allow us to continue to serve those Chestermere residents experiencing difficult times over the next few months and hopefully well into the future,” commented Oel, “As we prepare for an increase in population, we are hopeful to secure a location where we are able to accept donations of fresh food, in which case these funds would allow us to purchase the refrigeration required.”
McAllister said his party unanimously opposed the pay hike that was voted in November 2012, stating it flew in the face of what they campaigned on. “We could either take the money or take a stand”, McAllister said.
MLA salaries increased from $145,000 a year to $156,000. “Our MLA’s do not believe this money is rightfully ours, it belongs to the people of Alberta, we are merely giving it back,” said Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith in an earlier press conference.
“The government needs to lead by example and that is why we could not believe the PC’s could justify this raise,” explains McAllister. “Our teachers just took 0-0-0 over three years, how can we expect Albertan’s to except the hypocrisy from our leaders?”
Some of the other charities to receive grants from the Wildrose Caucus Foundation are Little Warriors; Veteran’s Poppy Funds in both Calgary and Edmonton; the Provincial Food Bank; and Safe houses throughout the province.
“We are stepping up and doing the right thing and I am proud to be able to be able to help out the hardworking charities that do invaluable work in our communities,” McAllister says.
“We can’t thank Bruce McAllister and the Wild Rose Caucus Foundation enough, not only for the donation but also for recognizing the need for this service in our community”, says Oel.
