N.S. MLAs prevented from receiving a nearly 13 per cent bump in pay

The pay raises were recommended by an independent remuneration review panel on July 19

CITYnews halifax \ Steve Gow

Nova Scotia MLAs will not be getting the significant pay increase they were recommended.

Reconvening in the Nova Scotia Legislature today for emergency summer sessions, the provincial government introduced amendments to the House of Assembly Act to prevent the binding recommendations from taking effect.

The pay raises were recommended by an independent review panel on July 19.

“Now is not the time to increase compensation for MLAs,” states Education Minister Becky Druhan in a news release. “Nova Scotians are facing record high inflation and many people are having a hard time financially. As elected officials, our compensation needs to reflect the current state of the economy.”

MLAs have been receiving an annual base salary of $89,234 since 2014.

Despite the independent review panel finding that the Premier’s compensation is fair and reasonable and should not be adjusted, Premier Tim Houston has chosen to voluntarily reduce his salary by $11,246.01. This is the first time in recorded history where a sitting Premier has reduced his compensation.

The action will prevent MLAs from receiving a 12.6 per cent pay increase as recommended by the independent remuneration panel.