The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on New Brunswick MLAs to reject proposed legislation that would substantially increase politicians’ salaries.

“With taxpayers dealing with high inflation and soaring living costs, now is the time for politicians to show leadership, keep their salaries in check and lighten the burden on taxpayers,” said CTF interim Atlantic Director Jay Goldberg.

The bill presently before the legislature would raise base MLA pay by nearly 10 per cent, from $85,000 to $93,126.

Cabinet ministers would receive a 13 per cent salary increase, when accounting for the base MLA pay hike and an additional cabinet salary pay hike. In total, cabinet ministers would see pay rise from $137,614 to $155,148. 

The premier’s salary would rise from $164,000 to $186,252, a nearly 14 per cent increase.

Should this bill pass, New Brunswick MLAs will have higher salaries than MLAs in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Last year, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston recalled the legislature to freeze MLA pay and prevent a planned increase. 

“New Brunswick politicians should follow the example of their colleagues in Nova Scotia and stop these planned pay increases,” said Goldberg. “Politicians shouldn’t get raises while taxpayers are struggling so much to make ends meet.”

Should the bill pass, these pay hikes would come into effect in the fall of 2024, after the next election.