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Alberta’s high physician introduced house practically $600,000 between her wage and money advantages in 2021.
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Chief medical officer of well being Dr. Deena Hinshaw made $363,633.92 in wage and $227,911.35 in “money advantages” final yr, based on the Alberta authorities’s sunshine listing up to date final month, which discloses severance and wage for civil servants incomes above a sure threshold.
That ranks as the very best money bonus in addition to the very best whole payout to a Authorities of Alberta worker for the reason that province began disclosing this info in 2016.
The compensation encompassed a yr by which Hinshaw was the general public face of Alberta’s COVID-19 response, together with its vaccine rollout and implementation of public-health measures.
In a press release to Postmedia, Alberta Well being mentioned 107 authorities workers acquired “particular companies” compensation in 2021 for further work in the course of the pandemic response.
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The company mentioned these funds have been made in accordance with standards set by the general public service fee, with related compensation paid out throughout earlier emergencies such because the 2013 southern Alberta floods and the 2016 Fort McMurray fires.
“The whole consists of particular companies compensation to the Chief Medical Officer of Well being decided utilizing a system for managers primarily based on further hours labored,” mentioned Steve Buick, press secretary to Well being Minister Jason Copping.
“Given the dimensions of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a rare quantity of further work was required from Alberta’s high public well being physician.”
The additional pay to Hinshaw compensates for time labored past 45 hours throughout per week.
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Pay disclosures from earlier years present Hinshaw took house a base wage of $363,633.92 in 2020 and $332,164.64 in 2019. She didn’t obtain extra money advantages in both yr.
The extent of compensation is acceptable given Hinshaw’s duties final yr, mentioned Mount Royal College political scientist Duane Bratt.
“I didn’t assume that giving her a bonus primarily based on a system was essentially dangerous. I can see that it was warranted,” he mentioned.
“You’re speaking about your complete yr of 2021, and my guess is she was in all probability working 70-hour weeks throughout each week of 2021, so I’ve no concern with that.”
Bratt mentioned there could possibly be political ramifications from the disclosure of Hinshaw’s compensation, nevertheless, with the subject prone to come up as candidates vie to exchange Premier Jason Kenney because the United Conservative Social gathering chief.
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He mentioned there’s already been some public uproar over the compensation, with opponents making two arguments. One is that the dimensions of funds is extreme, notably within the context of proposed authorities rollbacks of some well being staff’ wages earlier within the pandemic. The opposite is an accusation that the cash represents a “payoff” from the UCP, a notion Bratt rejects fully.
“I believe these are unfair criticisms, notably the concept she was purchased off,” Bratt mentioned.
“However this simply throws a hand grenade into the United Conservative management race. . . . If (candidates who oppose COVID-19 restrictions) hear that Hinshaw bought a bonus for advising these well being restrictions, it’s going to be an enormous political concern after at present.”
Twitter: @jasonfherring
