Alberta's United Conservative Party (UCP) government is introducing a new $6,000 annual allowance for MLAs who serve as parliamentary secretaries. The allowance, which amounts to $500 per month, will take effect on June 1, according to an order in council introduced by Premier Danielle Smith and published late Thursday.
The order also entitles the member to payment of reasonable expenses for travel, meal, and hospitality costs incurred as part of the parliamentary secretary role. Currently, the UCP government has eight MLAs serving as parliamentary secretaries: Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk (Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees), Chanetelle de Jonge (Affordability and Utilities), Nolan Dyck (Indigenous and Rural Policing), Shane Getson (Economic Corridor Development), Chelsae Petrovic (Health Workforce Engagement), Ron Wiebe (Rural Health North), Justin Wright (Rural Health South), and Tany Yao (Small Business and Northern Development).
In a statement, Smith's office said the pay hike reflects the extra meetings, travel, and other work parliamentary secretaries take on. 'The $500 monthly stipend fairly compensates parliamentary secretaries for their added duties while remaining fiscally responsible for the taxpayer,' the statement read. Traditionally, parliamentary secretaries work closely with corresponding ministers to advance the government's policy, though they are non-cabinet roles.
In a statement, Official Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi questioned the timing and necessity of the allowance, saying it came 'in the middle of an affordability crisis and a massive deficit.' He added, 'She has the largest cabinet in Alberta history and has found ways to give bonuses to Conservative members outside of cabinet as well.' On April 1 of this year, the base pay for MLAs increased by 3.1 percent, or $3,839 over the year before, up to $127,677.
