Opposition B.C. Liberals seek MLA pay freeze ahead of possible 10% increase

A call by the opposition B.C. Liberals to freeze provincial politicians' salaries as a show of solidarity with people struggling to make ends meet during inflationary times has found some traction with the New Democrat government.

Members of the legislature could be in line for a salary increase of 10 per cent or more in April, amounting to raises of at least $10,000, Liberal house leader Todd Stone said Thursday.

He said he would table a private member's bill this month in the legislature that proposes a one-year salary freeze to show the people of B.C. that politicians understand the economic sacrifices families are making across the province.

"I would point out that in dollar terms the wage increase for MLAs this year could be upwards of $10,000, $11,000 if the (consumer price index), which the wage increase is tied to, is in the 10 per cent range,'' said Stone.

The B.C. legislature website says the basic annual MLA salary this year is $115,045.93, while Premier John Horgan's salary is $218,587.27.

Cabinet ministers make $172,568.90, as does Opposition leader Kevin Falcon.

B.C. MLA salaries are tied to changes in the consumer price index, which is currently at about eight per cent in the province.

NDP house leader Mike Farnworth said an all-party legislature management committee will discuss the salary issue over the coming weeks.

He said the New Democrats and B.C. Liberals have both implemented pay freezes in the past.

Farnworth would not commit to a pay freeze, but said the issue would be part of discussions surrounding the provincial budget, which will be tabled in February.

"The finance minister has already raised with me that given this year's inflation rate, this is obviously something that we would need to be looking at,'' he said.

Finance Minister Selina Robinson did not immediately indicate if the government would support Stone's bill, but said in the legislature the New Democrats have been implementing cost-saving measures including free bus services for children under 12 years, child-care fee cuts and capping rent increases at two per cent.