N.W.T. MLAs pass bill to freeze their own salaries for 2 years
'It's an opportunity for us to show we're committed to leadership by example,' says MLA Cory Vanthuyne
The N.W.T.'s 18th legislative assembly unanimously passed its first bill Tuesday: a largely symbolic act to freeze the salaries of all MLAs for two years starting in April.
The act, which is expected to save $30,000 during the 2016-2017 fiscal year, takes effect April 1, assuming it gets the customary assent from Commissioner George Tuccaro.
Cory Vanthuyne, MLA for Yellowknife North, said MLAs started talking about a freeze soon after last November's territorial election.
"This is not a measure that's going to make a bunch of big savings for us, but it's an opportunity for us to show we're committed to leadership by example in trying fiscal times," he said.
Northwest Territories MLAs earn an annual salary of $103,851. The Speaker, premier, cabinet ministers and committee chairs earn more and there are allowances for expenses, as well as for accommodations for members whose residence is not within 80 kilometres of Yellowknife.
The freeze comes on the heels of deputy ministers and other senior government staff having their salaries iced for two years.
Kieron Testart, MLA for Kam Lake, says the government got its timing all wrong.
"I only wish that this had come first, quite frankly," he said Tuesday of the MLA salary freeze.
"I think it would have been a much bolder [move], considering the very limited amount of cost savings that this will provide."
The belt tightening for the government has only begun, however.
In a news release issued Tuesday, the Department of Finance reiterated that "addressing the projected gap between expenditures and revenues will require approximately $150 million in combined revenue and expenditure measures over the next five years."