No Pay Increase for MLAs

There will be no increase in salaries and allowances for members of the Legislative Assembly this year.

Speaker of the House Murray Scott has received the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Remuneration of MLAs' salaries, indemnities and retiring allowances. The Speaker said that the report has recommended that there be no increase in the salaries of MLAs for the year 2000. Further, the Speaker chaired a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, of the legislature's Internal Economy Board, where the all-party committee agreed to accept the report.

The report was prepared by independent commissioner Graham Walker. In making his recommendations, Mr. Walker said the province's financial position was a key factor.

"It would be burying one's head in the sand to pretend that the pot is full and that remuneration should be set in isolation without consideration of the cost factor to general government policy and to the position of taxpayers generally," Mr. Walker said.

The House of Assembly Act requires that a commission of inquiry be appointed annually to review MLA indemnities, salaries and allowances.

The report will be tabled in the legislature. It is also being distributed to all members of the legislature today. Members of the media can pick up copies at the Speaker's office.