Alberta government to change employee bonus rules

The Alberta government is tightening the rules around employee bonuses in light of the six-figure payout to the chief medical officer of health.

Finance Minister Jason Nixon says the civil service has been directed to review and make changes to the rules to ensure future bonus payments during emergencies go through cabinet for approval.

Nixon says the public service should not have the ability to sign off on such big-ticket bonuses.

Earlier this week, the government's salary list revealed Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the chief medical officer of health, received a bonus of almost 228-thousand dollars for COVID-19 work in 2021.

That figure, on top of her regular salary, put Hinshaw's pay at more than 591-thousand dollars.

The Opposition N-D-P, public sector unions, and even some members of the governing U-C-P have criticized the payout.

Alberta Health says Hinshaw was paid in line with a longstanding policy and financial calculation tied to emergencies.