The NDP called the tradition of getting paid for committees that never meet “indefensible” yesterday and announced an independent review of MLA perks.
“I can’t defend it, and I won’t,” Finance Minister Graham Steele proclaimed.
“Obviously it makes little sense to pay people for a committee that never meets.”
The decision by the NDP comes after Metro Halifax reported Tuesday some MLAs have been getting paid each year to chair dormant committees, including one that’s been inactive since 1994.
“The fact that that this has been going on is something, frankly, that slips below the radar because it’s been going on for so long that you kind of forget that it’s actually happening,” said Steele, who in the past has been a vocal critic of MLA perks.
Darrell Dexter is the latest in a long list of premiers who make $2,060 every year to chair the Internal Affairs Committee. It hasn’t actually met since October of 1994.
Speakers of the House make $3,090 annually to chair the Assembly Matters committee, which last met four and a half years ago.
Speaker Charlie Parker also heads up the internal economy board, which meets behind closed doors to handle issues of MLA allowances and expenses. After a board meeting yesterday, Parker announced a review of political expenses.
“It’s been a number of years since members’ allowances and expenses have been looked at and it’s time again to have a good, thorough review,” Parker said.
Parker added the review will ensure MLAs are accountable. Parker said it will include looking at payment for dormant committees and “if it’s incorrect then it has to be changed.”
The board hasn’t determined who will conduct the review or how much it will cost. Parker said they expect to hire someone before Christmas and have the finished report within a few months.
In September the NDP eliminated a $45,000 no questions asked perk to each MLA when they leave office. In October, they eliminated a yearly $2,500-per-MLA technology fund.
