McNeil: Time for Premier to Pay Back Taxpayers Money
(Halifax, NS) Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says it’s time for NDP Premier Darrell Dexter to repay taxpayers for his Barristers’ Society fees."Reform of MLA expenses and allowances is now underway," said McNeil. "Now it is time for the premier to show leadership and repay the money, which amounts to several thousand dollars a year."
The Justice Department pays about $3800 per year to maintain the premier’s status as an active lawyer with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
The premier confirmed he was offered the perk by then Justice Minister (the late) Michael Baker and he accepted it. Other lawyers were offered the perk, but declined - including NDP caucus colleague Graham Steele. The premier has stated he doesn’t know how long taxpayers have paid his Barristers' Society fees.
"One does not need to be a lawyer to be premier or opposition leader, so there is no justification to accept the perk," said McNeil. "He should do the right thing and pay it back."
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