How much does Peter Shurman really make?

Earlier this week the Thornhill MPP told the Globe and Mail, “I make $112,500 a year. Some people think that’s a lot of money. To do what I have to do, or any MPP has to do, it’s not very much at all.”

The Tory finance critic actually raked in thousands more than that for each of the last three years.

According to the public sector salary disclosure for 2012, Shurman's salary and taxable benefits last year totaled $116,716.20. In 2011, Shurman raked in $123,852.75, and in 2010 he earned $124,890.78.

The latter two years were higher because Shurman then served as vice-chair of the standing committee on public accounts.

Shurman did not respond to a request for comment.

The Thornhill MPP’s salary and expenses came under fire this week after the same Globe story revealed that, while he represents a northern GTA riding, Shurman actually lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake. That allowed him to claim an extra $20,719 last year in housing expenses, the maximum allowed for MPPs whose permanent residence falls more than 50 kilometres away from Queen’s Park.

The story stirred up a lot of buzz around the Pink Palace and online Thursday, and eventually prompted a statement from Tory leader Tim Hudak.

Hudak said Shurman will stop claiming the housing allowance until “the system is fixed,” saying, “it is clear that the system we have now is not the system taxpayers want or deserve.”

Hudak called on Premier Kathleen Wynne and NDP leader Andrea Horwath to work in concert to amend the rules, so no MPP whose riding – not home – falls within the 50 km boundary is allowed to receive extra money for housing.

Later that night, the government signaled its intentions to do just that.

Heard: Shurman’s salary higher than he told the Globe

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