Conservative MLAs observing the 2025 Speech from the Throne. Photo: Jacob Moore.
Nova Scotia MLAs are receiving a salary increase following recommendations from an independent panel. Speaker of the House Danielle Barkhouse tabled the report in the legislature on February 18, outlining binding changes to MLA pay.
The panel, made up of executive deputy ministers Tracey Taweel and Kelliann Dean, along with Deputy Minister Jennifer Glennie, set the base MLA salary at $115,000, up from $89,234. Salaries for the Speaker, premier, opposition leader, and other officials are also increasing.
Key salary changes include:
- MLAs: $115,000 (previously $89,234)
- Premier: $115,748 (previously $101,545)
- Speaker & Opposition Leader: $63,250 (previously $49,046)
- Deputy Speaker: $26,450 (previously $24,523)
- Minister with portfolio: $63,250 (previously $49,046)
- Minister without portfolio: $40,250 (down from $49,046)
- Leader of a recognized party: $37,950 (previously $24,523)
Under the House of Assembly Act, these changes take effect retroactively to December 1, 2024.
The panel also made non-binding recommendations on MLA benefits, office budgets, and allowances. These include potential changes to ministerial assistant salaries, accommodation allowances, pensions, and expense reimbursements. The House of Assembly and its management commission will review these recommendations but are not required to act on them.
The last MLA salary increase took effect in January 2013.
