Wages Frozen for MLAs, Excluded Employees

Under amendments introduced to the House of Assembly Act by Finance and Treasury Board Minister Diana Whalen today, April 7, MLAs' salaries will be frozen for three years.

"The premier has been clear that all Nova Scotians need to make tough decisions in order to get our province back on track financially and as elected officials, we must lead by example," said Ms. Whalen. "Our budget deficit is making it harder for new jobs to be created in Nova Scotia and if we want to make sustainable investments in health care and education, we need to make the right choices that will allow us to do so."

In addition to the salary freeze, the amendments will eliminate transitional pay to fully pension-eligible MLAs.

The wage freeze will also apply to excluded classification employees, however, the amendments to the House of Assembly Act will cover elected officials only.

In addition, the public service award will be frozen.

The award is given to employees who are resigning or retiring and immediately accepting a pension.

The public service award currently amounts to one week's salary for each year of full-time work up to 26 weeks. The calculation is based on the employee's salary at the time they finish work.