At least 5 MLAs to gain right to taxpayer-funded Halifax apartment
Nova Scotia Finance Minister John Lohr is set to embark on a new chapter in his political career as he prepares to search for an apartment in Halifax. This move is part of a recent change to the House of Assembly Act, which will now allow certain members of the legislature to claim a housing allowance for a pied-à-terre in the city.
Lohr, who represents Kings North and has been making a three-hour commute daily to Province House since 2013, expressed his relief at the prospect of no longer having to endure the long drive. With the modified rule now stipulating that representatives who live at least 50 kilometers away are eligible for the housing allowance, Lohr, whose home is just shy of the previous 100-kilometer limit, is eager to start his apartment search in Halifax.
Joining Lohr in considering taking advantage of the entitlement is his cabinet colleague, Scott Armstrong, the minister of opportunities and social development. Armstrong, who represents Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, noted that his ministry requires him to be in the city frequently, potentially warranting a place of residence in Halifax.
However, not all newly eligible outside members are certain about utilizing the new housing allowance. Speaker Danielle Barkhouse, Melissa Sheehy-Richard, and Dave Ritcey, all PC MLAs from various districts, have expressed uncertainty about availing themselves of the entitlement. Barkhouse resides near Chester, Sheehy-Richard in Windsor, and Ritcey in Truro, making their decision to rent an apartment in Halifax a matter of contemplation.
Currently, only one MLA, Independent Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, opts for a hotel room reimbursement instead of a rented apartment. The Nova Scotia Legislature typically convenes twice a year for six to eight weeks each session, making it one of the shortest sitting periods among Canadian legislatures.
In addition to the housing allowance adjustment, an all-party committee has endorsed recommendations to raise the housing allowance to $2,100 per month and increase the expense allowance for MLAs by $921 per month. Furthermore, a bill before the House proposes the first salary increase for MLAs since 2013, in line with the panel’s binding recommendation.
These changes reflect an effort to enhance the working conditions and accommodations for members of the Nova Scotia Legislature, ensuring that they can carry out their duties effectively and efficiently. As Lohr and his colleagues navigate the prospect of securing a pied-à-terre in Halifax, the landscape of legislative governance in the province continues to evolve to meet the needs of its representatives.
