NDP Leader Howard Hampton put people before pay hikes today by donating part of his MPP pay raise to a charity.

In an event this morning, the Kenora-Rainy River MPP was at the National Office of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union to hand over a $1000 donation to the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, a charity that CEP is partnered with.

SBHAC works on behalf of people with Spina Bifida and their families. It is a birth condition where the spine does not form completely.

“When Dalton McGuinty gave himself a $40,000 pay hike, I promised to donate my pay hike to charity. Today, I am proud to follow up on my personal commitment by making this $1000 donation to the SBHAC. I know it will make a real, positive difference for the families of those who live with this condition,” Hampton said.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada have worked together for a number of years to raise awareness of Spina Bifida and to advocate on behalf of those who live with Spina Bifida and their families.

“People are more important than pay hikes for politicians. Today, and over the coming months, I look forward to donating my entire MPP pay hike to charity and accounting for every penny of it,” Hampton said.