Rural MLAs get 17 per cent boost for temporary housing near legislature

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2025 (275 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rural and northern MLAs with temporary residences near the legislature are getting a double-digit boost in allowances.

The increases come after a review by Michael Werier, Manitoba’s independent commissioner for MLA pay, allowances and retirement benefits.

It’s the first time in eight years there’s been an above-the-rate-of-inflation increase for temporary residence expenses and living allowances, the report, released Wednesday, said.

“Allowance levels should be fair and reasonable both to the member and to the public,” the report stated. “A member should not be required to spend their own funds for fair and reasonable expenses directly related to their duties in serving their constituents.”

Werier increased the maximum temporary residence allowance by 17 per cent to $1,650 a month from $1,410, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.

As of last month, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Winnipeg was $1,550 — a four per cent increase over last year, his report said.

It noted 20 rural and northern Manitoba MLAs receive the allowance and that it’s not “unreasonable” for them to seek temporary residences closer to the legislature, where rents may be higher than average.

Werier did question why seven MLAs were renting two-bedroom apartments when others were renting a one-bedroom unit, but said the regulations don’t stipulate allowable apartment sizes.

Living allowances, meanwhile, were hiked by $100 to $1,056 from $956.

“Given extraordinary rising costs for food and other household items,” an increase in the allowance over and above the cost-of-living hike set out by regulation was warranted, the report said.

All sitting members were invited to make presentations prior to the decision. Werier heard from members who said allowance increases from 2017 to date have not kept up with the rising costs.

Veteran political observer Paul Thomas said Werier’s role is to “take the sensitive issues of pay and benefits for MLAs out of politics” by basing decisions on objective factual evidence.

“This is never completely possible,” the University of Manitoba political studies professor emeritus noted.

“In a period of rising costs, many members of the public will resent MLAs gaining increases in their daily expense allowances and rental subsidies. When MLAs are paid well compared to the average Manitoban, the argument is made that they should not be entitled to the additional ‘perk’ of protection against inflation.”

A review last year by Werier increased Manitoba MLA office rent allowances by more than $1,000 a month (to $2,750 from $1,679) after some members priced out of the market were forced to meet with constituents in mall food courts and community centres.

In addition, the $106,603 basic annual salary for an MLA will increase 2.5 per cent on April 1 and 2.75 per cent effective April 1, 2026, which is in line with civil service increases.

The increases are part of a review the commissioner is mandated to do after an election — except when there’s less than 42 months between elections, as was the case with the Sept. 10, 2019 vote that occurred 40 months after the April 19, 2016 election.

The last review was conducted in 2017, and it showed Manitoba MLA salaries were in the middle of the pack among provinces.

Werier’s role as an independent commissioner who sets MLA pay and allowances was created by legislation passed in 2007. At the time, Manitoba’s premier was the lowest-paid in Canada.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Supplemental Report on Salaries, Allowances