What Happened to Fairness and Accountability in MLA Wage Hikes?

During the last provincial election, Nova Scotians heard many promises, but what was not discussed was a pay increase for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Hardly a day has passed since they returned to work, and the Premier and his government went ahead with a salary hike without public consultation. It was hardly an independent review process if you call firing a bunch of bureaucrats first, hiring new ones, and then asking a few of them to look into it.

Also, providing a sole source of contact to Deloitte at around $200,000 (unconfirmed) for this work didn’t get much attention as to how wrong this is. I am not surprised by their recommendation of a 29% increase plus other items.

To be clear, we are not saying MLAs should never get a raise. Why not just get the same eight per cent as minimum wage earners got? A 29 per cent increase is high compared to the average increase most people have seen and far greater than the minimum wage hike. Government must put the needs of Nova Scotians first, especially when so many workers are struggling with low wages and rising costs.

It does not look good when politicians get raises while everyday Nova Scotians still wait for a government that is truly for the people by the people. A democracy is supposed to be built on honesty, accountability, and integrity. People vote based on what they listen to during campaigns.

Why is an MLA salary hike rammed through so quickly while workers and families continue to wait and wait for help? It may be time for MLA pay raises to by judged on the governing party’s fulfillment to help people and workers, not just the business and corporate communities. People are tired of getting the shaft while big business and corporations get the gold. Nova Scotians require a government that puts its people first. Nova Scotians must band together and ask the government to delay wage hikes until we get to judge them on their record of governing for all Nova Scotians. The raise should come at the end of the term so voters can pass their judgment on accountability of a government for the people and by the people when they mark their X in the next election.