Halifax, NS: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s decision to recall the legislature and vote to prevent MLAs from receiving a pay increase.

“Houston is making the right call by coming out against a politician pay hike,” said CTF Interim Atlantic Director Jay Goldberg. “With taxpayers struggling to make ends meet in the wake of soaring inflation, Nova Scotians shouldn’t have to pay for a massive increase in take-home pay for politicians.”

An independent panel appointed by the Nova Scotia legislature announced today that it was making a binding recommendation that MLAs receive a 12.6 per cent pay hike, retroactive to Sept.1, 2021. This pay increase would have seen the base MLA salary rise from $89,235 to $100,481.

“With Nova Scotians dealing with an 8.8 per cent inflation rate, the last thing taxpayers want to see is to have MLAs join the sunshine list that discloses salaries of government officials making more than $100,000 per year,” said Goldberg. “Houston is showing true leadership on this file, and politicians across the country should take note and follow his lead.”