Premier Tony Wakeham is being urged to make it clear that his government will reject any move to increase the salaries of elected officials before the House of Assembly sits March 2nd.

Devin Drover of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation says the premier needs to “show leadership while families are struggling with the cost of living and reject politician pay raises.”

The members’ compensation review committee approved a 2024 report recommending that base MHA salaries increase from just over $95,000 to $120,000 annually.

The median income in Newfoundland and Labrador is less than $33,000.

“The message is simple” says Drover, “when families in Newfoundland and Labrador are struggling with the cost of living, politicians should not be voting themselves a pay raise. And I think that’s why it’s especially important, before the House opens on March 2nd, (that) the premier, Tony Wakeham show leadership and make it clear that his government will reject any move to increase MHA salaries.”