By Sarah Mills

Sask. premier freezes politicians’ wages in face of oil prices

Feb 6, 2015 | 3:32 PM

If you didn’t think the Saskatchewan government was serious about the financial constraints this year, Premier Brad Wall is sending the message loud and clear.
 
He’s announced a wage freeze for himself, cabinet, MLAs and all executive management in government and Crowns. It is also extended to out-of-scope workers within health regions.
 
The wage freeze will cover the 2015-16 fiscal year for executive and the 2015 fiscal year for Crowns. In total, the freeze amounts to $15 million.
 
“I think $15 million is not a small amount of money,” Wall told reporters in a scrum Friday at the legislature. 

“Right now we are looking for any savings we can find.”
 
With the revenue challenges expected as a result of falling oil prices, the government is being extremely controlling about spending and Wall maintains that must start from the top.
 
“We want to set a tone here in government, and those in management and the elected people should be prepared to do that,” he said.
 
The government will also write to school divisions and post-secondary institutions requesting they apply the same policy.
 
Alberta’s government has taken similar provisions but went further by implementing a cut of five per cent to wages.
 
Wall argues he did not follow that example because Alberta politicians already earn 35 per cent more than their Saskatchewan counterparts. He adds while the financial challenges our province faces are serious due to oil; they are less critical due to a more diversified economy compared to Alberta’s oil-focused economy.
 
The Board of Internal Economy, which governs MLA salaries, will have to implement the wage freeze.
 
In 2015, MLAs and ministers were due a 2.4 per cent increase. Of the $15 million, $130,000 represents MLA salaries.

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