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While not technically breaking the rules, the Sask. Party is surely bending their intent. And, financially speaking, bending the intent seems to be working out well for the pocketbooks of Steinley and Tochor.

Saskatchewan MLAs long ago decided they all deserved severance — one month for each year of service to a maximum of one year’s $111,024 annual salary — whether they resigned or were defeated at the polls. As such, Tochor and Steinley — both first elected in 2011 — are now eligible for about $74,000 in provincial MLAs’ “transition” or severance.

But here’s the kicker: In the likely event Tochor and Steinley win their federal seats, each will immediately begin collecting a Canadian MP’s annual salary of $178,900. (It increased by $3,000 last April.) Yes, dear taxpayers: You will be paying them to be MPs while still paying them for being MLAs.

Steinley and Tochor saythey are just following past precedents of all MLAs receiving severances.

Sure, Saskatchewan MLAs have received severances in the past. One can argue they should. The legal precedent is one gets severance if fired without cause. (Although, many would strongly argue that being defeated at the polls is the very definition of being fired with cause).

But, really, what’s the “precedent” for “transition” severance when you choose to quit one elected position to start another, better-paying elected position? Who gets away with this in the real world? These aren’t layoffs. This isn’t pension money. This is severance.

At the very least, they are taking advantage of overly generous MLAs’ severance rules in the same way Moe is taking advantage of flaws in the by-election act to avoid city by-elections his governing party is likely to lose.

This isn’t how anyone should be starting a political career … or ending one.

Mandryk is the columnist for the Regina Leader-Post.