Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 03/98) - The salaries and other compensation available to MLAs have once again been tabled in the legislature.

Speaker Sam Gargan brought forward the document on Monday and explained how the salaries were broken down.

"There has been a lot of misinformation about what MLAs are paid because of the different payments we receive," said Gargan.

"We all receive a base salary. However, living allowances are paid to MLAs to cover such costs as hotels, meals and taxis while they are away from home and constituency expenses cover any costs incurred by the MLA for work they are doing in their constituency. This isn't money that goes into our pockets," he added.

MLAs receive an annual indemnity -- a salary -- of $36,748. The first $1,000 is tax-free.

Constituency indemnities are $18,629 for ordinary MLAs and $6,210 for the Speaker, premier and other cabinet ministers.

The Speaker also receives an indemnity of $57,916, the premier $62,975 and ministers $57,916 for other work-related duties.

Special annual indemnities are give to members who serve as deputy chair of the committee of the whole ($3,355), chair of standing committees ($2,790), deputy Speaker ($5,580) and caucus chairs ($1,860).

MLAs are paid a taxable amount of $207 per day for committee work out of session, but not when the legislative assembly is sitting.

MLA living allowances are non-taxable and are not considered part of a member's income, said Gargan. Constituency expenses are funds that are paid to reimburse members or paid on behalf of MLAs for riding expenses such as travelling and bringing in pages to Yellowknife from their communities.

Original invoices must be given before reimbursement.