Constituency assistants for the province’s MHAs have been given a raise.

The pay bump, approved yesterday by the House of Assembly’s Management Commission, takes effect immediately.

It amounts to about $4,500 more a year for each of the 40 political staffers, with a base pay of $50,000 to a max of $65,000. The total cost to the province is about $200,000.

The raise follows a recent review of the changing role and duties of constituency assistants over the years. It was noted that now includes managing and monitoring social media platforms, in addition to often being the face of the MHA in the district.

The raise received unanimous approval from the all-party commission.