Iqaluit (Aug 04/03) - It's been a case of trial and error for the Nunavut government in figuring out MLA salaries for this first legislative assembly.

Nunavut MLA salaries Paul Okalik, Iqaluit West $114,921 Kelvin Ng, Cambridge Bay $109,434 Peter Kilabuk, Pangnirtung $109,434 Ed Picco, Iqaluit East $109,434 Manitok Thompson, Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove $109,434 Olayuk Akesuk, South Baffin $109,434 Peter Kattuk, Hudson Bay $109,434 Jack Anawak, Rankin Inlet North $109,434 Kevin O'Brien, Arviat $109,434 Uriash Puqiqnak, Nattilik $65,688 Ovide Alakannuaq, Akulliq $60,108 Enoki Irqittuq, Amittuq $62,898 Glenn McLean, Baker Lake $62,898 Hunter Tootoo, Iqaluit Centre $62,898 Donald Havioyak, Kugluktuk $60,108 James Arvaluk, Nanulik $60,108 Rebekah Uqi Williams, Quttiktuq $62,898 Jobie Nutarak, Tunnuniq $62,898 David Iqaqrialu, Uqqummiut $65,688 Numbers taken from the Nunavut Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

The premier and his cabinet saw their salaries jump about $15,000 since they were first elected. Regular MLAs saw theirs increase by over $23,000.

As of March 2002, the premier earns $114,921 a year. Cabinet ministers and the speaker of the house make $109,434.

Regular MLA salaries start at $60,108 but increase through chairing committees.

The deputy speaker earns an extra $5,580.

The deputy chairperson of the committee of the whole earns $3,255.

The chairperson of a standing committee earns $2,790 while a chairperson of caucus earns $1,860.

MLAs are also entitled to living allowances, but those are no longer specified in the legislative assembly and executive council act.

Each member of a committee of the legislative assembly receives $207 per day served.

The deputy speaker also earns $72 for each day spent as chairperson of the committee of the whole or speaker during a session.

A deputy chairperson of the committee of the whole also earns $72 a day for performing the duties of chairperson during a session.

The chairperson, deputy chairperson or acting chairperson of a standing committee receives $72 a day for performing the duties of chairperson of that standing committee.

In October of 2000, the act was amended to exclude the amounts MLAs received as living allowance.

At the time, the amount was $57 a day for a member within commuting distance to the place where the session or meeting was taking place.

For members who did not live within commuting distance, the allowance was $200 a day with the costs of return transportation paid for.

When first elected in 1999 the premier made $99,723 and ministers and the speaker made $94,664. Regular MLAs' starting salary was $36,748.

The MLAs passed a bill to amend the legislative assembly and executive council act in March 2002 that increased the salaries.