Ottawa

The Trudeau rule

The NDP wants to ban MPs from being paid to speak

There is no higher compliment in professional basketball than being the cause of a rule change, so Justin Trudeau should perhaps be chuffed today that the NDP wants to ban “parliamentarians from double-dipping by banning payment for work that is part of their job as an MP or Senator.” For instance, public speaking.

Back in the spring of 2013 (children, ask your parents about it), this was the most dire crisis confronting this nation. There is an argument to be made that an MP is not paid as a parliamentarian to deliver speeches outside his or her riding, but probably it is not a winning argument.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.