Sociologists would probably not include this group among the elites but from a political perspective it is hard to deny them. While the elected at the provincial and federal level have obvious influence on our lives when serving in cabinet as prime minister, premier or in a cabinet position, their position as an elite can come afterwards. It is the influence they can wield after they leave office.
Some people could not figure out why former Prime Minister Stephen Harper held onto his seat in parliament so long after his party lost the 2015 election. It was likely the sinecure he had of an MP’s salary while assessing offers. And you can be assured there were many to consider.
Former Prime Minister’s Turner, Mulroney and Chrétien are today earning substantial incomes for just advising clients of their firms. On top of that they are paid generous fees for speeches and talks to business audiences. When you hear that Justin Trudeau earned $450,000 in fees the year before becoming Liberal Party Leader, think of how much he can earn when he gives up prime ministering! (And he is not even that good a public speaker.)
And do not assume that former premiers are treated as lower class citizens. We hear that former Ontario Premiers such as David Peterson, Bob Rae, Michael Harris, Ernie Eves and Dalton McGuinty are all doing quite well, thank you.
Cabinet ministers at both levels have to be more creative but it is probably finance ministers who get the best deals. Mind you it is incorrect to assume that just because a person was known as minister of a particular portfolio that they necessarily knew very much about it.
The guys and gals with the tough row to hoe in parliament and the legislatures are the back benchers. The key to success for them is to pick a specialty and become expert in that field—while all along voting promptly at your party’s call. The specialty can pay off in many ways. It can make your fundraising efforts easier, get you noticed and convince people of your devotion to duty—all good attributes to furthering your career. It can get you into cabinet. It can also get you a lucrative career when you or the voters decide your time as a politician is over.
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Copyright 2017 © Peter Lowry
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