The Editor, I have received information via the Canadian Taxpayer's Federation that senators and other parliamentarians are allowed to collect their very lucrative pensions even if convicted of defrauding taxpayers.
There appears to be something wrong with this scenario since I believe that we all agree elected officials should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us since we, the people, put our trust in them as our representatives for how our monies are spent.
It appears that this principle has been lost to the "winds of time" since greed has overwhelmed such principles.
John Williamson, a Conservative MP from New Brunswick has introduced Bill C-518, a private members bill, that would take away the pensions from people like Raymond Lavigne, a senator, or any federal politician who is charged and convicted of defrauding taxpayers.
The bill specifically states that any conviction of those who were MPs or Senators on June 3, 2013 will result in loss of their parliamentary pension - meaning that as long as the bill passes, parliamentarians, if they are convicted, would lose their pensions, even if they resign.
Mr. Williamson's private members bill should be wholeheartedly supported by the public to show that we, the people, are fed up with how public funds are being spent.
"Pigs at the trough" may be an appropriate term to be used when such behaviours are brought to the public's attention.
Charn Deol
Richmond
