Government to Freeze MLA Salaries and Proclaim Amendments to Act

Deputy Premier Frank Corbett announced today, Sept. 20, that government will proceed with a plan to freeze salaries for two years for MLAs, senior civil servants and political staff.

The changes will be contained in the province's Financial Measures Act which will be tabled following the introduction of the budget on Thursday, Sept. 24.

"Nova Scotia has a $590 million deficit," said Mr. Corbett. "MLAs, political staff and senior civil servants must be prepared to lead by example."

Mr. Corbett also announced that the government has proclaimed changes to the House of Assembly Act that had received royal assent on Dec. 13, 2007. In Nova Scotia, an act cannot be considered law until it is proclaimed.

The 2007 changes established that annual salaries and indemnities for MLAs be increased by the same percentage as civil servants. It took effect upon royal assent in 2007. There is no increase as a result of today's proclamation.

"The proclamation for the amendments to the House of Assembly Act did not take place under the previous government. We are correcting that oversight," said Mr. Corbett.