Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 28/05) - What if the government threw a public forum and no one came?

That was the case last Wednesday when the commission reviewing the salaries and benefits of MLAs set up shop at Northern United Place. Half an hour after the start time, the public was still conspicuously absent.

The forum, which was the only opportunity for people to present their opinions in person, was competing with Scouts Canada registration downstairs, and the scouts won handily.

Commission member Jake Ootes mused that people must be really busy.

"It's disappointing, because we would like as much feedback as possible," he said.

Ootes and fellow commission members John Simpson and Sean Whelly decided Yellowknifer deserved a doughnut just for showing up.

The MLAs' salary and benefits review has to be conducted once in each term of office. The commission hears submissions from MLAs concerning their pay, and asks the taxpayers for their opinions. They also invite comments on how to improve accountability and reporting of salaries and expenses.

The commission has bought advertising in all the territory's newspapers. So far, other than MLAs, four people have approached commission member Sean Whelly with comments, and Ootes has received one e-mail.

The commission has set up a website, www.nwtmlapay.ca, with details of MLA pay and benefits.

NWT MLAs are some of the highest paid elected members in Canada, second only to Ontario in base salary.

In addition to their base pay, MLAs receive benefits and allowances. For example, regular members receive up to $27,840 a year to pay for their accommodation in Yellowknife, and up to $10,178 for incidentals such as meals, dry-cleaning and transportation while in the capital. Cabinet ministers and the Premier can receive up to $25,000 per term to spend on home furnishings.

The commission will continue to collect submissions, by e-mail or phone until the end of October.