Latest News

Brandon Sun - ONLINE EDITION

MLAs deserve raise, eventually, report finds

By: Bruce Owen

Wednesday, Sep. 5, 2012 at 4:39 PM | Comments: 1

Due to legislative requirements brought in because of budget cuts, MLA and cabinet pay were frozen until April 2014 and cabinet pay reduced a further 20 per cent. (MIKE.DEAL@FREEPRESS.MB.CA )

Manitoba’s MLA deserve a pay raise, but not yet.

That’s the finding of lawyer Michael Werier, the province’s independent commissioner appointed to decide MLA salaries, allowances and retirement benefits.

Werier reported to Speaker Daryl Reid today.

"In making these salary determinations, I have been guided by fairness, reasonableness and equitable compensation," he said in a statement.

Werier said the pay of Manitoba’s 57 MLAs should be set at $89,500, an increase of 4.6 per cent, effective April 1, 2014.

It would be the first pay raise for MLAs in five years.

Also on April 1, 2014, Werier set the additional pay for cabinet ministers at $49,000 and the premier's additional pay at $75,000.

These would also be the first pay raises for these positions in five years.

Werier’s decisions are binding on the legislative assembly and MLAs.

In determining MLA pay, Werier said he looked at pay rates of MLAs in other provinces, comparisons to civil servants, the economic health of the province, relationships to pay rates in the public and private sectors in Manitoba and general cost-of-living increases.

No one factor took priority over another, he said.

Due to legislative requirements brought in because of budget cuts, MLA and cabinet pay were frozen until April 2014 and cabinet pay reduced a further 20 per cent.

Manitoba MLA pay currently ranks eighth among the 10 provinces. With the 20 per cent reduction in cabinet pay, Manitoba's premier and cabinet ministers receive the lowest additional compensation in Canada.

Werier also said based on the workload involved and on comparisons with other provinces, a 10 per cent increase should be applied for 2012 to certain special positions such as caucus chair, house leader, whip, committee chair and deputy chair and legislative assistant.

Werier’s report also gives increases beginning this year to MLA allowances such as travel for southern MLAs, constituency office rent, constituency assistant salaries and moving expenses. These allowances are reimbursement for expenses incurred in the course of duties as a member of the legislative assembly.

"MLAs should not run out of funding before the end of the year in the performance of their public duties," Werier said. "The work of MLAs has changed and resources have to be provided."

Rate this
This article is currently rated an average of 3 out of 5 (1 votes).

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 1 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Posted by:JOHN FEFCHAK

September 5, 2012 at 9:10 PM

MLA's $89,500.00
Cabinet Ministers $ 138,500.00
Premier $ 164,500.00 All with expense accounts and 'perks'

It's adding up to nearly $ 6 million , (without the expense accounts and perks.)
Many Manitoban's who work for a living are in the $35,000.00 to 45,000.00 range.

Can we (as taxpayers) afford this Payroll of $500,000.per month.?

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.