The salary awarded to Bob Rae, well above the normalized grid of the high diplomatic function, is simply indecent. Especially since for diplomats, there is no salary increase attached to the appointment to the post of ambassador.
Equally indecent is the comment made by Minister Mélanie Joly’s office on the comparison with the private sector. This reminds me of the justification of former mayor Labeaume on the high level of remuneration of one of his close collaborators, by a lapidary “to seek out the best talents on a competitive market”.
Indecent for two reasons. The first linked to the fact that in both cases, it is not the wealth created that determines the salary, but the “generosity”, somewhat forced moreover, of the taxpayer. The nuance is important. Remember that the public compensation system should be, by nature, in a “balanced”, fair and equitable democracy.
Which brings me to the second reason: should we, in the same logic as for senior managers, pay a nurse or a paramedic more, to acquire the so-called “top talent”? Performance bonuses appear in this respect, when they are well applied, to be a reasonably effective mechanism. Finally, it should be noted that Mr. Rae also receives an annual performance bonus. Find the error. We could also discuss his particular talents. We will remember his remarks, incongruous in the context of his function, on Quebec’s Bill 21. But that’s another story…
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