The premier of Nova Scotia has no plans to change his salary.
Stephen McNeil was recently put on the defensive by reporters who questioned how much he earns in his role.
A Nova Scotia MLA base salary is $89,234.90. The premier receives a top up – funds paid in addition to his salary – of $112,791.20.
In comparison, Alberta MLA’s have a base salary of $127,296.00 and the premier has a top up of $79,560.
McNeil says his government froze salaries when they came into office in 2015.
“That salary was set before I came in and it has not changed nor will it change as long as I get the privilege to do what I do.”
Despite the large top up, McNeil isn’t the highest paid premier.
The leaders of Alberta and Ontario each clear over $207,000.
McNeil makes $202,026.10 a year, well ahead of his Maritime colleagues in New Brunswick and PEI who have an income of $152,150 and $151,384, respectively.
There hasn’t been a salary increase for Nova Scotia MLAs since January 1, 2013.
Nova Scotia’s opposition leader says the premier’s salary isn’t high on his priorities.
But, Tim Houston adds it could be reviewed.
“For a province of our size to have one of the highest paid premiers does seem a little out of whack,” he said. “There is a committee that sets those salaries but I mean it is certainly something to look at when I’m premier.”
Houston says people will always be interested in what elected officials are paid.
“I’m not interested in putting a big soapbox down and standing up and screaming ‘let’s cut all this stuff’,” he said. “Let’s focus on health care, education and the economy. Let’s make this a place where people want to live and can have a good life with access to services they need.”
But, he feels McNeil has made a mistake by asking others to tighten the belt without doing it himself.
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
