It was revealed earlier this week that federal politicians will likely be getting a rise to their salaries amid a value of dwelling disaster. So what about their provincial counterparts in Alberta?
Premier Danielle Smith won’t see a pay hike this 12 months. A spokesperson for the Alberta Legislature confirms the cost-of-living adjustment for salaries is at present suspended.
It means the premier’s wage will stay at simply over $186,000. Smith’s wage is lower than Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek, who will make simply over $213,000 in 2024.
The salaries for Alberta MLAs may even keep the identical. Members of the legislature make round $120,000, which is roughly the identical as Calgary metropolis councillors.
Kris Sims is the Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and believes it’s an indication of management from Smith and Alberta MLAs to not take a pay elevate.
“A number of hardworking Albertans haven’t been getting pay raises both,” she says.
Sims says that very same management isn’t precisely replicated on the federal degree the place politicians just lately accepted a 4.4 per cent improve.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wage is now over $400,000, whereas MPs now make over $200,000 a 12 months. Cupboard Ministers make simply shy of $300,000.
“These are the second highest wages for politicians on this planet,” Sims says. “We don’t assume they should be making minimal wage, however we additionally don’t assume they should be pulling half-a-million {dollars}.”
“We predict it is crucial in a consultant democracy, for the politicians to have the ability to relate to their voters.”
The wage freeze for Alberta politicians might not final lengthy, the province confirms a evaluation is happening and a report is anticipated to be submitted within the fall.
“As soon as the report is submitted there could possibly be additional dialogue, session or different consideration by the committee, so the timing for any selections is indeterminate presently,” reads an announcement from a provincial spokesperson.
The provincial authorities has taken motion on lowering their salaries prior to now. In 2013, members voted for no wage changes for 5 years earlier than voting to scale back their salaries by 5 per cent in 2015.
Extra data on Alberta MLA remuneration could be discovered right here.
