Political paycheques
| NWT | Yukon | Alberta | B.C. | |
| MLA indemnity | 73,698 | 33,912 | 61,578 | 72,100 |
| Ministers | 111,698 | 55,059 | 111,954 | 111,100 |
| Speaker | 98,698 | 62,108 | 111,954 | 111,100 |
| Premier | 127,698 | 62,883 | 125,670 | 117,100 |
| Note: Yukon members also receive a tax-free expense allowance (no receipts required) of $14,805 for Whitehorse based members and $16,956 for rural members and cabinet ministers. Sources: Legislative assemblies of Alberta, B.C. and Yukon, NWT Main Estimates 1998-99 and 2001-02 | ||||
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 20/01) - Like their federal counterparts, MLAs' salaries may soon be going up.
On Thursday, the final day of the last sitting, the assembly appointed an independent panel to review members' salaries and expenses. Panelists Fred Carmichael, Robert Clark and Red Pederson are to report their findings and recommendations by Oct. 1.
Earlier this year, MLAs received a $2,698 pay raise. It was a result of a raise received by civil servants. Under the law, MLAs receive an increase any time the civil service does.
Alberta MLAs' salaries are linked to growth in the average weekly earnings across the province. As a result, on April 1 they received a 3.3 per cent increase in their basic salary.
But the review of Northwest Territories politicians' pay and expenses goes far beyond the mechanisms used to provide regular increases. The panel will consider all indemnities, allowances, ex-penses and benefits provided to members and any other matter it considers relevant to compensation being provided members.
A new formula for paying members was introduced two years ago to simplify the way members are paid. Expenses count for most of the cost.
Regular MLAs whose primary residence is more than 80 kilometres from the legislative assembly can, with receipts, collect up to $17,000 to cover the cost of maintaining a residence in the capital.
Members also get a living allowance -- $5,709 for Yellowknife MLAs and $8,823 for those outside the capital.
Housing allowance is sweeter for cabinet ministers. They get $28,800 per year for temporary accommodation. They are also reimbursed for real estate fees, moving expenses up to $25,000 and furniture they use while living in the capital.
The cost operating and maintaining a constituency office is covered for ministers and ordinary members alike. Expense limits vary according to where the constituency.
Constituency expenses claimed during the first year of the 14th assembly ranged from $29,519 spent by Kam Lake MLA Tony Whitford to a high of $80,814 claimed by Nunakput MLA Vince Steen.
The legislative assembly also provides members with insurance, extended health care, dental coverage. Members are required to contribute 6.5 per cent of their pensionable income to a pension plan. Members who retire at age 55 or older receive two per cent of their average earnings for each year of service.
