Thursday, March 19, 2020

Using Dependant vs. Dependent

Using Dependant vs. Dependent Theres no problem here if youre an American: both the noun and the adjective are customarily spelled the same (dependent). But if you follow British spelling conventions, note the distinction between dependant (noun) and dependent (adjective). The noun dependant refers to a person who depends on someone else for support (usually financial support). Dependant is the standard spelling of this noun in British English. Dependent is the more common spelling in American English, though the word may also be spelled the British way. The adjective dependent (always spelled this way in both British and American English) means supported, determined, influenced, or controlled by (someone or something else). Examples Most dependent  [US] students cannot afford to pay for college on their own, without parental help.  The definition of a dependent  student for federal student aid purposes is different than the definition of dependent for federal income tax purposes.(Mark Kantrowitz, Answers to Your Questions on Scholarships and Student Loans. The New York Times [US], November 18, 2011)  The amount of loan a dependant [British] student gets depends mainly on their parents residual income. This is their gross income before tax and national insurance after deducting allowances for, for example, payments into pension schemes, and  £1,130 for any other financially dependant child.(Jill Papworth, A Parents University Bill:  £650 a Month. The Guardian [UK], August 10, 2013)Fearful and anxious people sometimes become dependent on alcohol for relief from their symptoms. Practice Exercises:  Dependant and Dependent (a) The applicant claimed to be a _____ of a deceased worker. (b) Its a myth that a breastfed baby will turn into an overly _____ child. Answers to Practice Exercises:  Dependant and Dependent (a) The applicant claimed to be a  dependant  [British] (or  dependent  [American]) of a deceased worker. (b) Its a myth that a breastfed baby will turn into an overly  dependent  child.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Salaries of Canadian Members of Parliament 2015-16

Salaries of Canadian Members of Parliament 2015-16 The salaries of Canadian members of parliament (MPs) are adjusted on April 1 each year. Increases to MPs salaries are based on an index of base-wage increases from major settlements of private-sector bargaining units maintained by the Labour Program in the federal Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The Board of Internal Economy, the committee which handles the administration of the House of Commons, does not have to accept the index recommendation. On occasions in the past, the Board has put a freeze on MP salaries. In 2015, the MP salary increase was significantly more than what the government offered in negotiations with the public service. For 2015-16, the salaries of Canadian members of parliament increased by 2.3 percent. The bonuses that members of parliament receive for extra duties, for example being a cabinet minister or chairing a standing committee, were also increased. The increase also affects severance and pension payments for MPs leaving politics in 2015, which, as an election year, will be larger  than normal. Base Salary of Members of Parliament All members of parliament now make a basic salary of $167,400, up from $163,700 in 2014. Extra Compensation for Additional Responsibilities MPs who have extra responsibilities, such as the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Leader of the Opposition, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, leaders of other parties, parliamentary secretaries, party house leaders, caucus chairs and chairs of House of Commons committees, receive additional compensation as follows: Title Additional Salary Total Salary Member of Parliament $167,400 Prime Minister* $167,400 $334,800 Speaker* $ 80,100 $247,500 Leader of the Opposition* $ 80,100 $247,500 Cabinet Minister* $ 80,100 $247,500 Minister of State $ 60,000 $227,400 Leaders of Other Parties $ 56,800 $224,200 Government Whip $ 30,000 $197,400 Opposition Whip $ 30,000 $197,400 Other Party Whips $ 11,700 $179,100 Parliamentary Secretaries $ 16,600 $184,000 Chair of Standing Committee $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chair - Government $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chair - Official Opposition $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chairs - Other Parties $ 5,900 $173,300 *The Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Leader of the Opposition and  Cabinet Ministers  also get a car allowance. House of Commons Administration The Board of Internal Economy handles the finances and administration of the Canadian House of Commons. The board is chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons and includes representatives of the government and official parties (those with at least 12 seats in the House.) All of its meetings are held in camera (a legal term meaning in private) to allow for full and frank exchanges. The Members Allowances and Services Manual  is a useful source of information on House budgets, allowances, and entitlements for MPs and House Officers. It includes insurance plans available to MPs, their office budgets by constituency, the House of Commons rules on travel expenses, rules on mailing householders and 10-percenters, and the cost of using the members gym (annual $100 personal expense including HST for MP and spouse). The Board of Internal Economy also publishes quarterly summaries of MP expense reports, known as  Members Expenditures Reports, within three months of the end of the quarter.