The author of a report on MHA salaries that recommends salary increases for elected members says the public engagement process yielded little in the way of public comment.

Heather Jacobs addressed the House of Assembly Management Commission Meeting this morning.

Her initial report recommends a $25,000 pay increase for elected members, from a $95,000 base salary to $120,000.

That would mean close to an additional $1 million annual cost to the treasury.

The ‘How We Value Democracy’ report showed that of the public input received, “all asserted a raise is necessary.”

Jacobs offered clarification this morning on the input received following questions raised about the process by Bonavista MHA Craig Pardy.

“To be honest, public engagement was low” says Jacobs “but I don’t think it was any different in 2009, 2012 or…2016, they did roadshows that were poorly attended.” She says the public should have been well informed of the process. “The Speaker….when I was appointed, he did a news release, I did two news releases requesting public input. I asked for written, phone calls, emails, virtual.”

She says social media was also used to get the word out and the only media requests they received was when the report was released publicly, which she declined.

But, says Jacobs, Engage NL was not used.

“And I know I’ve heard a fair bit on media about Engage NL, and Engage NL in my opinion, is a tool for the executive, not the legislative branch, and the last review that was done of statutory offices did not use Engage NL either. ”