The North Okanagan-Shuswap’s MP plans to donate the balance of a legislated pay increase to women’s shelters and food banks.
In a statement released on March 31, Mel Arnold said the legislation which will be giving parliamentarians a raise effective April 1 was passed 15 years ago and included an increase based on the average annual increase negotiated by private-sector unions at the time.
Arnold’s statement says the raise does not account for a crisis like the one caused by the COVID-19 virus which Canadians face today.
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The April 1st pay increase for MPs is entrenched in legislation that did not take into account a crisis like we are in today. I will be donating this year's increase to organizations in the North Okanagan-Shuswap that help the most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/AeHN9HDB5p
— Mel Arnold (@MelArnoldMP) March 31, 2020
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Arnold says he will be joining other Conservative MPs in donating his pay raise to charitable organizations within their constituencies.
“These are very difficult times for many in our communities and the need for assistance is increasing, so I will be donating my 2020 pay increase directly to organizations in the North Okanagan-Shuswap that help our most vulnerable,” Arnold said.
Arnold’s donation will support organizations including emergency women’s shelters and food banks. He said everyone in the North Okanagan Shuswap’s communities can do their part during this difficult time.
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