Members' Remuneration

Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories receive an annual salary of $100,907.

Indemnities for Extra Duties

• Speaker $43,921
• Premier $76,747
• Minister $54,007
• Deputy Speaker $7,106
• Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole $4,265
• Chair of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning $9,278
• Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures $3,149
• Chair of Other Standing Committee $6,296
• Chair of Special Committees $3,149
• Chair of Caucus $3,149

Members are also entitled to a non-taxable annual expense allowance of $7,271. Members who do not live within commuting distance of the capital are eligible for an additional non-taxable, non-accountable allowance of $7,271 for expenses incurred while in the capital on constituency business or business as a Member. Members will be paid a northern allowance based on the community where the member is deemed to reside. Ministers are deemed to reside in Yellowknife.

Indemnities for members are detailed in the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

Expenses and Allowances

The Legislative Assembly will pay up to $30,572 annually for capital accommodation on behalf of a Member whose residence is not within 80 km of Yellowknife, while the Member is attending sittings of the Legislature, committee meetings or performing constituency duties in Yellowknife.

Members are provided with a Constituency Work Expense Allowance to defray the necessary expenditures to carry out work on behalf of their constituents.

The Legislative Assembly funds 5 trips and 15 nights accommodation per community in a fiscal year, for Members representing constituencies that include more than one community.

The Legislative Assembly provides $1,500 per community in a fiscal year, to assist Members in holding Constituency Meetings.

Other Benefits

GNWT Accidental Death and Dismemberment-Duty Travel

This is available to MLAs on a 24-hour-a-day, year-round basis, as long as they are not the pilot of an aircraft or a member of the crew. The maximum compensation that will be paid for accidental death and dismemberment is $200,000.

Public Service Management Insurance Plan (PSMIP)

This insurance plan has four parts.

1. Basic Life insurance equal to two years' salary;
2. Supplementary Life insurance equal to one year's salary;
3. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is available up to a maximum of 10 units at $25,000 each (maximum benefit is $250,000 on loss of life); and
4. Dependants' Insurance - $5,000 on life of a spouse and $2,500 on life of each child. These amounts are doubled if accidental death occurs.

All PSMIP insurance plans are optional. Premiums are based on age and basic salary and are deducted from salary.

Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)

PSHCP is a supplementary health care plan. Participation, including the level of coverage, is optional.

Premiums for Level I coverage are paid by the Legislative Assembly. The MLA and the Legislative Assembly share premiums for Level II and Level III. 

The plan covers many expenses not covered under the NWT Health Care Plan. The Extended Health Care Benefit includes prescription drugs, a vision care benefit, and an emergency travel benefit.

The Hospital Benefit is available in three levels with adjusted premiums. This Benefit provides reimbursement up to a maximum limit for semi-private or private hospital rooms.

Dental Plan

The plan provides MLAs with 100% reimbursement for all eligible expenses, subject to a yearly deductible of $25 for single coverage and $50 for family coverage.

The plan provides orthodontic coverage for dependants under the age of 19. Reimbursement is limited to 50% of actual costs, to a maximum of $3,000 per dependant per lifetime.

Registered Pension Plan

Members are required to join the plan as soon as they are elected. They contribute 6.5% of their pensionable income. The pension becomes vested with the Member after serving one full term or four years in office, whichever comes first.

For service after 1991, Members will receive, upon reaching pensionable age, two percent of the average of their four years' best taxable income multiplied by the number of years of service, to a maximum of 30 years. Pensionable age is the earliest of 60 years, 30 years of service, or the sum of age plus years of service equal to 80.

Supplementary Pension Plan

Members of the Legislative Assembly are also given an option to enrol in a Supplementary Retiring Allowances Plan, which requires them to contribute an additional 2.5% of pensionable income.