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Leader Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Carla Beck said their members will not receive their full salary increase on April 1.
Saskatchewan MLA salary increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for that year. If used this year it would mean an increase of 6.8 percent from 2022.
Moe said Monday that lawmakers would not accept the full amount: “The government is not in favor of taking that wage increase.”
Moe said lawmakers have had “preliminary discussions” about the planned raises.
“We haven’t settled on what it might look like, but I think it’s fair to say that it won’t be what is guaranteed by the formula.”
Moe said the Internal Economy Committee, an all-party committee of representatives, will discuss the proposed increase.
Beck said the 6.8 percent increase is “not over.”
“We should not think about an increase of 6.8 per cent, I think that if it is a situation where the government is even squeamish, I think it also tells you how they are not in touch with the truth for the people in this area.”
Last year, lawmakers received a 2.6 percent salary increase, which was $2,617. In 2021, the increase is 0.6 percent or $600.
The annual MLA salary for 2022 is $103,285. This year, the 6.8 per cent increase will see agents earn an extra $7,023, for an average salary of $110,303.
Most members of parliament, including those in the cabinet, house leaders or whips and council chairs, receive additional allowances for their services.
The increase applies to those jobs and to the pay of Moe, Beck and the Speaker as well.
Moe receives the same base salary as an MLA but his additional allowance as executive is $75,121. A 6.8 percent increase would amount to a $12,131 raise. Your total pay will be $190,537.
Beck’s additional pay as opposition leader is $52,586. Your total pay will increase by $10,599 for a total of $166,470.
Speaker Randy Weekes, who earns the same base salary and additional allowance as Beck, will also receive $166,470 if the 6.8 percent increase is applied.
Saskatchewan MLA salaries trail their counterparts in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. In BC, wage increases are also linked to inflation. In December 2022, the BC Legislature voted on a salary freeze for 2023.
In 2017, Saskatchewan legislators, civil servants and Crown directors received an annual pay cut of 3.5 per cent.
In 2018, MLA salaries returned to the level they were at before the 3.5 per cent cut.
Here’s how MLA salaries have changed since 2018:
- 2018 – ($96,183).
- 2019 – 2.2 percent increase ($98,395).
- 2020 – 1.7 percent ($100,068).
- 2021 – 0.6 percent ($100,668).
- 2022 – 2.6 percent ($103,285).