Newfoundland and Labrador’s Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs) are recommended to receive a salary increase of approximately $22,000 per year by 2027, as per a recent report by the Members’ Compensation Review Committee (MCRC) of the province. The 2026 MCRC emphasized that equitable compensation is vital to attracting a diverse range of individuals to pursue public office.
The comprehensive 162-page report, authored by lawyer Heather Jacobs, was unveiled on Tuesday, proposing that the annual MHA salary should escalate to $117,000 by April 1. Currently, Newfoundland and Labrador’s elected officials have the second-lowest pay scale in Canada among their provincial counterparts, with a base salary of $95,357 annually, unchanged since December 2009. By comparison, Prince Edward Island legislators earn $86,924, while Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament receive $163,275.
This latest report marks the second release from the committee in three years. The previous March 2024 report suggested a higher annual salary of $120,000, a proposition that faced opposition from then-Premier Andrew Furey. Jacobs, the author of both reports, clarified that the 2026 document serves to update and build upon the recommendations put forth in 2024.
Furthermore, the report advocates for salary increases for additional roles within the House of Assembly, such as $61,000 for the Speaker of the House and the Opposition Leader, $33,000 for the Leader of the Third Party, and $5,000 for party whips, among others. These adjustments aim to fairly compensate individuals undertaking additional responsibilities, as these positions demand substantial effort, as stated in the report.
Speaker Paul Lane refrained from taking a stance on the report, emphasizing the sensitivity of MHA salaries to taxpayers. He highlighted the significance of having capable individuals in public office and the necessity of fair compensation to uphold the democratic system. The report also proposes the establishment of a formula, linked to the consumer price index of Newfoundland and Labrador, to regularly adjust salaries, with a target implementation date of July 1, 2027.
The recommendations will be reviewed by the House of Assembly Management Commission, comprising MHAs from all political parties, Lane, and a clerk, with a briefing scheduled for October 21. The Commission will deliberate on whether to accept, modify, or reject the recommendations before potential legislation. The Opposition Liberal Party expressed gratitude to Jacobs for her efforts and indicated readiness to engage in further discussions should the report be brought forward for debate in the House.
