The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding Premier John Hogan for opposing any plans to hike MHA salaries.

“While Newfoundlanders and Labradorians struggling to make ends meet, pay hikes for politicians are unacceptable,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “Hogan is right to speak out against this proposal.”

The House of Assembly Management Commission, made up of MHAs from all parties, approved a report last year which recommended raising MHA base salary from $95,357 to $120,000. If passed, it would make MHAs the highest-paid provincial politicians in Atlantic Canada.

After taxpayers pushed back, then-premier Andrew Furey came out against the salary hike but never brought it to the House of Assembly to be voted down.

With an election around the corner, and the proposal unresolved, the CTF has been calling on all provincial political leaders to make their position known on the proposed salary increase before the election.

Hogan was the first to respond, telling media that he was opposed to any increases in salary for MHAs or cabinet ministers. 

“Taxpayers urge PC Leader Tony Wakeham and NDP Leader Jim Dinn to follow Hogan’s lead and reject this proposal,” Drover said. “MHAs should be focused on saving taxpayer money, not padding their own pockets.”