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All aboard the gravy train

The rich keep getting richer, while the poor working class keeps getting poorer. On April 1, in some cruel April Fools joke, B.C. Ferries raised its fares, Hydro went up, and gas hikes went into effect - all hitting us hard in the pocket books.

The rich keep getting richer, while the poor working class keeps getting poorer.

On April 1, in some cruel April Fools joke, B.C. Ferries raised its fares, Hydro went up, and gas hikes went into effect - all hitting us hard in the pocket books.

And earlier this week, we found out that more than $3 million of our hard-earned taxpayers' dollars were used to dole out bonuses to fat-cat executives at several Crown corporations including B.C. Assessment, B.C. Housing, BC Hydro, Industry Training Authority, B.C. Transit, ICBC, Partnerships B.C. Inc., the B.C. Lottery Corporation and WorkSafe BC.

These bonuses were incentive based and saw senior executives pull in thousands of extra dollars on top of their six-figure salaries.

It's kind of ironic that BC Hydro, which recently raised its rates and is embroiled in a major controversy over its smart meter program, saw their executives get even more money for their work. And how about ICBC? Late last year motorists saw rates go up as well, because the corporation was crying poverty. Poverty? When you factor in all the bonuses, pension and his base salary, ICBC's president and CEO walked away with more than $500,000. That type of money is ludicrous in this economic climate.

Then we have B.C. Transit, which stated recently that TransLink was cash-strapped, putting into jeopardy many transit projects for the Lower Mainland, unless the public pays more, proposing lucrative bonuses for its executives. This is not only irresponsible, it should be illegal. Why should the travelling public be forced to pay more to ride buses and take the sky train, while executives are pocketing thousands in bonuses? If the service is as cash-strapped as they say, how can it afford a bonus and incentive program? Something just doesn't add up.

In response to all of this, Premier Christy Clark said the bonuses and incentives are not right and should be a thing of the past. Last October during the throne speech, the Liberal government announced its intention to review all Crown corporations, but we haven't heard or seen any report on the matter. If the big bonuses and the way Crown corporations are operating is so backwards like the premier claims, should they not be making this report a priority? When will the gravy train chug to a halt? If legislation has to change to get the Crown corporations back in line, then so be it. Put in the legislation.

Economic times are tough. Businesses are closing. Working families are struggling to just get by. Prices are on the rise on everything from gas to groceries to travelling on ferries and public transit. The bonuses have to stop. And the madness that is going on in these Crown corporations must come to an end.

Time to sink this gravy boat.