Ousted Ottawa councillors qualify for severance

Ottawa city councillors who were unseated in Monday's municipal election are entitled to severance packages, something that has a taxpayer watchdog group calling foul.

The "transition assistance allowance" was approved by Ottawa's city council in 2004, but did not come into effect until 2006. Through the program, outgoing council members including mayor Larry O'Brien qualify to be paid between $26,000 and $56,000.

Eight councillors qualify for the payments, and if they all accept, the city will pay out roughly $380,000. Bay Ward Coun. Alex Cullen, who lost his seat at the council table this week, pointed out he won't qualify for employment insurance.

"The severance package is really to provide some form of transition as those of us who are departing involuntarily find our way into the job market," Cullen said.

The payments are based on a complex equation. Councillors earn one monthof pay for each year spent on council, to a maximum of six months. But some councillors, like Cullen (who qualifies for about $56,000), qualify for additional funds for serving on regional councils before Ottawa's amalgamation.

The Ottawa Taxpayer Advocacy Group said the payments to councillors, as well as those made to other senior city officials are too generous.

"There should be a citywide review of severance pay as it is administered, not just for council, but also for the non-union senior management at the city," Ade Olumide, the organization's chair said.

Olumide said a severance rate of one week's pay for every year served on council would be a more responsible rate.

Councillors who didn't run for re-election do not qualify for the package. It's not yet known which councillors will accept the allowances.