Victoria – Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford’s private member’s bill to ban MLAs from double-dipping passed third reading at the legislature this afternoon.

The Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act passed 48 to 41, supported by BC NDP and Green MLAs and opposed by the BC Conservatives.

Langley Township Council minutes show that since February, double-dipping Langley-Walnut Grove Conservative MLA Misty Van Popta was an hour late to four different council meetings because of conflicts with Question Period in the legislature before missing yesterday’s council meeting completely. (Minutes: February 24, March 10, April 7, May 12, May 26)

Despite being late to or missing five meetings, Van Popta continued to collect a combined salary of $189,853, making her the highest paid provincial politician outside of the Premier. Residents of Langley have been petitioning in court to force Van Popta to vacate the seat.

Abbotsford West MLA Korky Neufeld continued to sit on the Abbotsford School Board and belatedly took a leave of absence after being criticized for the practice.

The bill stipulates that any MLAs who are double-dipping will be removed from their local elected office when the bill receives royal assent, which is anticipated Thursday.

Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford:

“I love the people in my community and ran for this full-time job to represent and support them. If you’re serious about this being a full time job and you’re serious about helping British Columbians, MLAs should be focused on their work in the legislature, not splitting their time and focus while collecting two taxpayer-funded salaries. This bill is about people in every community across BC getting what they deserve: an MLA working full-time to represent them. It’s disappointing that the BC Conservatives tried to block this bill. BC NDP MLAs are committed to giving 110% to the people we represent.”