Report on MLA Remuneration Released
Today, February 18, Danielle Barkhouse, Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, tabled a report in the House of Assembly on MLA remuneration. The report was created by an independent panel appointed to review and make recommendations about the indemnity or base salary payable to all MLAs and the additional salaries payable to the Speaker, the deputy Speaker, the leader of the opposition, leaders of recognized parties and the premier and other members of the Executive Council.
The three-person panel, composed of executive deputy ministers Tracey Taweel and Kelliann Dean and Deputy Minister Jennifer Glennie, has made the following binding recommendations:
- increase the annual indemnity payable to MLAs to $115,000 from $89,234
- increase the additional salary payable to the Speaker to $63,250 from $49,046
- increase the additional salary payable to the deputy Speaker to $26,450 from $24,523
- increase the additional salary payable to the leader of the opposition to $63,250 from $49,046
- increase the additional salary payable to the leader of a recognized party to $37,950 from $24,523
- increase the additional salary payable to the premier to $115,748 from $101,545
- increase the additional salary payable to a minister with portfolio to $63,250 from $49,046
- decrease the maximum additional salary payable to a minister without portfolio to $40,250 from $49,046.
Under the House of Assembly Act, these binding recommendations of the panel have the same force and effect as if enacted by the legislature and take effect retroactive to December 1, 2024.
In addition to its binding recommendations, the panel made non-binding recommendations regarding MLA compensation and office budgets. These include recommendations relating to:
- payment of an additional salary for ministerial assistants
- the use of legislative mechanisms to align MLA compensation increases with those received by civil servants
- accommodation allowances for members who live far from Province House
- the MLA pension and transitional allowances and benefits payable to former members
- constituency office expenses and constituency assistants
- review of additional payments to MLAs (e.g., for caucus and committee roles)
- the process of submitting and being reimbursed for expenses
- maintaining other existing benefits available to MLAs.
“I thank the panel for its work in preparing a thoughtful report regarding the remuneration of MLAs. The panel has taken great care in preparing and explaining its binding recommendations relating to MLA pay and has provided invaluable non-binding recommendations in relation to other issues of MLA compensation and benefits as well as constituency office budgets. It will be for the House of Assembly and its management commission to take these recommendations under advisement and to determine whether and how to proceed on them,” said Speaker Barkhouse.
Quick Facts:
- the panel was appointed on December 18, 2024
- the Speaker requested the panel to conduct a wide-ranging review of MLA salaries, benefits, pensions, travel and constituency allowances
- the last increase to the indemnities and salaries that are the subject of the panel’s report occurred on January 1, 2013
Additional Resources:
The report of the panel is available to view and download at: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/people/MLARemunerationReview2025.pdf