MHA salaries need to increase says panel

The independent review panel studying the annual MHA salaries has determined that the annual salary for MHAs should be increased by $22,000.

There was also a recommendation for increases for those holding special positions including speaker, deputy speaker and chair of committees, leader of the official opposition, official opposition house leader, third party leader, third party house leader, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and vice chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

The roles of deputy chair of committees, deputy opposition house leader, party whip and caucus chair should be compensated for their additional duties, and the government house leader and deputy government house leader positions should be added as additional-salary positions.

Members of committees of the House and the Management Commission should be compensated for their additional duties; and the annual salary, additional-salary positions, committee per diems, and committee maximums should be adjusted annually based on the percentage change to the Consumer Price Index and the executive pay plan.

The 2024 transitional allowance policy for members should continue while no changes are recommended to the 2017 Severance Policy which was effective for the period of November 30, 2015, through to March 31, 2024.

Pension benefits should be reinstated for all MHAs first elected on November 30, 2015, to what they were at the time of their election.

There were recommendations to adjust mileage and meal provisions, including provisions respecting conducting meetings in eating establishments, intra- and extra-constituency travel, extraordinary travel and locations of constituency offices; adjustments are necessary to office operations and constituency allowances to clarify eligible expenses and improve flexibility in allowance use; and provisions should be made for travel and living expenses for caucus meetings in recognition of the MHA’s role as a member of caucus.

The recommendations should come into force on April 1, 2027, with a salary adjustment formula on July 1, 2027; and allowances on a date to be determined by the Management Commission.