Nunavut to look into salary transparency legislation
MLA wants to see salary ranges made public in the territory
Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone says he wants to see the government introduce pay transparency legislation. (File photo by Mélanie Ritchot)
Updated Nov. 11, 2022 at 11:10 a.m.
One MLA wants Nunavut’s labour minister to ensure salaries in the territory are released as public information.
“Can the minister confirm when he’ll be introducing pay transparency legislation in this house?” Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone asked in the assembly Wednesday.
“I would support the introduction of pay transparency legislation in Nunavut, as it would help to contribute to achieving employment equity goals in both the public and private sectors.”
Labour Minister Craig Simailak responded, saying a pay transparency act isn’t something his department has considered but that he’s willing to look into it.
“It’s not on our list, but I do believe it’s also important,” he said.
Lightstone said he’s been paying “closer attention” to job advertisements in the territory and noticed some don’t have salary ranges posted.
“I was surprised to see the amount of job advertisements that do not actually include salary ranges,” he said.
Simailak said his department will look at similar legislation that was enacted in other jurisdictions.
Ontario passed pay transparency legislation in 2018, but the measure was shelved when Premier Doug Ford was elected that year.
Similar legislation exists in Prince Edward Island, while British Columbia is reviewing it.
Simailak said he would commit to working on pay transparency legislation with provincial and territorial counterparts.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Lightstone wanted territorial government salaries to be made public. In fact, Lightstone asked about pay transparency legislation covering both the public and private sectors.
If one reviews the gn job board advertizing current available positions a pay grid is shown, step 1 through 6. This has nothing to do with currently occupied positions and the pay level that individual may be recieving. As far as HR not including a pay range for a specified advertized position? What would one expect from HR? That they actually review the posting before posting it?
Anywhere any government has introduced these types of lists all it does is create public resentment towards civil servants. This territory is already struggling with filling vacancies, having employees burned out and leaving. This may score some public perception brownie points for the leaders advocating for it, but all it will do is further cripple essential infrastructure in the territory.
If you look into the not too distant past you’ll notice that revenge has been Adam’s motivation on a number of issues. He’s always been remarkably small minded in the Leg. We should be happy he is out of cabinet at least.
Adam’s ‘stick it to the man’ routine is probably most characteristics of a student committee president at a high school or college.
People with axes to grind should stay out of politics. If he believes in transparency he should reveal his pay first.
Again a great example of why we need civics class in Nunavut……
The Report on the payments of indemnities, allowances, benefits, and expenses to th members of the legislative assembly is tabled annually, and sometimes with mid year reports. As of March 31 2021 Member lightstone has a basic indemnity of $103,324 constituency work of $28,000, Northern Allowance of $15,018, and housing allowance of $2,400 for a total of $148,742
He also had expenses totalling 24,556, and a constituency assistant at $94,006
Here is the report if you feel so inclinde
https://assembly.nu.ca/sites/default/files/TD-427-5(2)-EN-Member-Indemnity-Report.pdf
You can look up how much Adam is being paid as an MLA any time you want.
Here’s a link to the last tabled report outlining salaries and constituency expenses. Salaries are summarized in the dark green row near the top of each member’s page.
https://assembly.nu.ca/sites/default/files/TD-427-5(2)-EN-Member-Indemnity-Report.pdf
This sounds ironic that every job posting on this site has a salary range included. Maybe Adam is reading fake news. As the former Minister of HR did he consider this when he was Minister?
Just a reason to get his picture in the paper maybe.
They lied, they are lying and last but not least… they are going to lie.
the public housing system.
It would be nice to know the salaries of those who spend 40-hours a week scrolling facebook and watching tiktoks. I have never seen this job being posted but I know that there are lots of these working in Nunavut, so how do I apply?
Equal pay for work of equal value.
So strange that he didn’t seek to do this sort of thing when he was in Cabinet…
Typically there are only two people other than the Ministers in the Cabinet room. The Principle Secretary (lead political advisor to the Premier) and the Deputy Minister of EIA (head of the public service). I’m curious which of those two you are since you CLAIM to know what was or wasn’t raised.
Seeing as basically everyone can determine with step 1-6 it isn’t that difficult. What would be more beneficial is for the Government to post publically the gross pay to consultants and contractors, especially those that appear like employees.
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Let’s start with doctors, law firms like those doing childrens aid, the HR consultants and CGS project managers, RCMP, negotiators, agency nursing firms, paramedic firms, temporary DMs etc. This will put pressure on departments to retool to fill as many positions they can internally with employees instead of being perpetually allowed to contract with these people who are not public servants and who often do not call the north home.
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I mean if GN employees can’t work remote why do consultants get to fill these roles with super high wages, fly in fly out costs covered, or purely remote work from the south?
You must be new here… Having senior managers give the green light to consultants is a far more effective route than having to deal with the incompetence of HR who will do everything in their power to give their job to an unqualified friend of family member.
I have been around long enough in senior management roles across several departments. what you’re identifying is a need to make staffing more accountable which is a separate issue as to why we pay these consultants egregious amounts with benefits and working conditions that should be offered to employees. the compensation is so high in some instances that it really only makes sense if someone is getting a kick back.
So, where, exactly, are all the unemployed doctors, nurses, police officers, and lawyers in Nunavut who would benefit from this “plan”?
Did someone say there were?
Sometimes projects are aggregated, but you are looking for the Procurement Activity Report and the Contracting Activity Report. Published annually.
Hmmmm
The GN experienced a 90% increase in resignations in the first 7 months of this year. How is legislation like this going to help retain and attract talent? People are leaving in droves, then to see this…so out of touch.
You would quit a job were you make $100,000 + a year and move south to either make $65,000 or not have a job because the amount you make is published…. OK THEN. smart life choice there bud.
News flash, in the south the wages have caught up to Nunavut. Our wages are no longer competitive to attract local or southern hires. We are losing Inuit to take jobs in Ottawa at an alarming rate, and southerners are going back because they are being offered similar base salary, with the perk of lower cost of living.
The average salary for Government of Ontario employees in Canada is C$76907 per year and that is average. Most GN workers now have 2-5 years experience in fairly senior roles of Manager or higher and are getting more senior roles in the south about this average. Combine this with lower cost of living, it’s no wonder people are leaving.
The GN is a real mess. An ongoing failed experiment supported by federal dollars. Unable to attract or hire competent educated staff. A total ongoing lost cause. A meltdown. And everybody is looking the other way.
I wish the Labour Minister simply responded ‘No’ to this very out of touch question.
“Labour Minister” :/
while he was Minister of Human Resources he had the power to implement to disclose salaries, why did he not do that while as a Minister instead of asking now.
To make sure He, John Main and Mr. Premier are relected! These guys started way too soon, but Pay attention especially during their last term, these guys will get stronger and very caring gentlemen just to get your votes! Glad I’m not on their riding being lured into their trap. After that, it’s all about pride.
We all know PJ, Adam and John Main started campaigning right from the first meeting. You 3 amigos sure can fake your way up.
Adams turning into joe and george,bitter and twisted,does anybody really care what civil servants make.Adam what about homeless people in iqaluit,cost of living,crime rate,booze and drugs,this MLA is out of touch with the issues in his own home town,be a champion of the people and try and help,
Looks so nosy