MLAs earn more than some teachers, nurses and police officers

Nunavummiut will mark their ballots Monday to elect a new batch of MLAs — all 22 of whom will become some of the highest-paid people in the territory.

Even at the low end of the range for Nunavut politicians, MLAs earn more than people working in several other professions in Nunavut.

The base pay rate for a Nunavut MLA is $111,033 a year, according to the 2023-24 Report on the Payment of Indemnities, Allowances, Benefits and Expenses from the legislative assembly. But the salary of many MLAs was likely higher due to several factors, including where they reside, their committee responsibilities and whether they’re a cabinet minister.

The highest-paid member of the assembly last year was Premier P.J. Akeeagok at $253,818, followed closely by deputy Premier Pamela Gross at $246,617, the report says.

Both cabinet members were responsible for multiple portfolios.

The lowest-paid MLA was Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet’s Alexander Sammurtok at $147,598.

By comparison, an RCMP police constable starts at $71,191 but within three years will be earning $115,350, according to an RCMP website on pay and benefits.

A public health nurse, according to a recent Government of Nunavut job posting, makes between $108,200 and $129,644. And depending on factors including experience and years of service, a Nunavut teacher’s salary can range from $69,659 to $131,151, according to the Nunavut Teachers’ Association’s collective agreement with the Government of Nunavut.

One former member of the legislature says MLA wages are “fair and appropriate.”

“I think I can speak for most MLAs … they are not doing it for the money or the pay cheque, they are doing it because they feel they can make a difference,” said Joe Savikataaq Sr., a former premier who represented the Arviat South riding for 12 years from 2013 to the end of the sixth legislative assembly, which dissolved ahead of the Oct. 27 election.

Savikataaq pointed out that, depending on what they did before getting elected, some people even take a pay cut if they become an MLA but aren’t named to cabinet.

A high-ranking territorial government official, for example, takes home an annual median salary of $195,208 per year, according to federal job bank data.

Joining cabinet comes with a “substantial jump in pay” above what a regular MLA is paid, Savikataaq noted. But it also comes with a lot more work and responsibilities. Cabinet members, he said, must move to Iqaluit, sacrificing time with their families.

In 2020-21, the last full fiscal year he was premier, Savikataaq was paid $231,323, that year’s payments report says.

MLAs also receive a pension from the legislative assembly after serving one four-year term in office. The amount the pension pays depends on how long the member served in the legislature.

Former MLAs start receiving their pensions at age 60, though Savikataaq said they can collect it earlier if they are willing to accept a reduced amount.

Members can also request a lump sum payment, instead of getting an ongoing pension amount. Though, Savikataaq noted, that means paying very high income taxes on the amount.

Savikataaq, who turns 65 in December, is expecting his pension to start soon — now that he is out of office. He would not say what his pension will be, but like current salaries he feels his pension plan is “appropriate.”

“I’ll just say that it’s good,” Savikataaq said. “As long as you don’t take it early before turning 60.”