News October 31, 2014

Pay and Benefits for Members of the Legislative Assembly to Remain Unchanged

(YELLOWKNIFE) Friday, October 31, 2014 - The Caucus of the 17th Legislative Assembly has reviewed the recommendations of the 2014 Independent Commission to Review Members’ Compensation and Benefits and has agreed to maintain the status quo with respect to MLA pay levels. The Report of the Independent Commission was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the Speaker on May 28, 2014. The report recommends no significant changes to the pay and benefits of Members of the Legislative Assembly. 

“I’d like to thank the Commission for its thoughtful work,” noted Caucus Chair Norman Yakeleya. “Compensation levels for elected officials must balance the need to attract qualified individuals to public office and ensure that elected positions are not restricted to those of independent means. The recommendations of the Independent Commission indicate that we have struck the right balance in the NWT.”

The Legislative Assembly must appoint an Independent Commission to review MLA compensation within two years of the swearing in of a new Assembly. Normally, the recommendations of an Independent Commission take effect for the following Assembly. The 2014 Commission was chaired by Mr. Geoffrey Wiest and included Mr. Gregory Nyuli and former MLA for Mackenzie Delta, David Krutko. The Commission’s report (TD83-17(5)) is available at the Legislative Assembly Library or on the Legislative Assembly website, www.assembly.gov.nt.ca, in Tabled Documents, under the Documents & Proceedings heading. The terms of reference for the Commission are attached.  

The compensation and benefits paid to Members of the Legislative Assembly can also be found on the Legislative Assembly web site under the “Members Accountability” link and are detailed in the Assembly’s Annual Report.   

For more information, please contact:

Norman Yakeleya, Caucus Chair
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2270 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-873-0276
E: norman_yakeleya@gov.nt.ca

Tim Mercer, Clerk
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-669-2299 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784
F: 867-920-4735
E: tim_mercer@gov.nt.ca