Speaker of N.S. legislature appoints panel to review MLA pay

Nova Scotia Speaker Appoints Panel to Review MLA Pay and Expenses

The Speaker of the House in Nova Scotia has taken steps to address the nearly decade-long freeze on MLA pay, living expenses, and office budgets by appointing a panel of three long-serving bureaucrats to conduct a thorough review.

According to Nova Scotia law, following every general election, the Speaker must appoint three individuals to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the salaries and additional earnings of key government officials, including the premier, cabinet members, opposition leaders, the Speaker, and other House positions.

Traditionally, each political party nominates panel members, but Premier Tim Houston, who was recently re-elected, expressed a desire to eliminate political influence from the process. In an effort to ensure neutrality, the Speaker’s office announced the panel members:

• Tracey Taweel, executive deputy minister to the premier and head of the public service.
• Kelliann Dean, deputy minister of the Department of Finance and Treasury Board.
• Jennifer Glennie, deputy minister of the Department of Justice.

Speaker Danielle Barkhouse praised the panel members, stating, “There is no one who better understands the role, responsibilities, and commitment of MLAs to the province. I have the utmost respect for their independence and their unimpeachable non-partisanship.”

The government has enlisted the services of accounting firm Deloitte to prepare a report on MLA remuneration. Should the panel find the report inadequate, they are authorized to seek additional support to formulate their recommendations.

While Liberal House leader Iain Rankin supports the depoliticization of MLA compensation decisions, he emphasized the importance of all parties participating in initial discussions. “We look forward to engaging with the panel and hearing their recommendations,” Rankin stated.

Per the House of Assembly Act, the panel is expected to deliver their recommendations by February 24th, with the intent that these recommendations will be binding. However, Premier Houston has previously taken action to block pay raises based on recommendations during his first term in office.

Since a freeze implemented by former Premier Stephen McNeil in 2015, MLA pay has remained at $89,234.90. Additional top-ups are provided for cabinet ministers, the premier, and opposition leaders. To put this in perspective, Halifax Regional Municipality councillors were paid $103,608.05 in the 2023-24 fiscal year.