The Hook

The New Democratic Party wants to know why the CEO and president of B.C. Rail continues to be paid $500,000 a year six years after the government sold most of the Crown corporation's operations.

“They may have a miniature train set in the boardroom, but you've got four executive officers making $1.2 million—no trains,” said Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan in the legislature. “Is that acceptable . . . $1.2 million for no train?”

The question came up after Auditor General John Doyle released a report yesterday saying the government had made good steps to cap the salaries of the heads of Crown corporations, though it has not said publicly what the caps are.

However, the heads of 13 out of 24 agencies, including B.C. Railway Company president and CEO Kevin Mahoney were paid amounts above the cap. Mahoney's compensation was $494,000 in fiscal 2008-2009.

“B.C. Rail Properties has a number of important responsibilities, including the disposal of surplus properties for revenue,” said Transportation Minister Shirley Bond. “In fact, they also look after the completion of subdivisions to support economic development, and in fact they monitor the very important B.C. investment railway partnership. So there is work being done.”

The government is planning to review B.C. Rail along with other Crown corporations, Bond later told reporters. “We're asking those questions now. We're doing that work as we speak.”

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.