Basic Compensation
Basic compensation for a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is established under the Members' Remuneration and Pensions Act (MRPA). Effective April 1, 2024, the annual basic compensation each MLA receives is $119,532.72.
Additional Salary
Pursuant to the Act, Members who hold ministerial or parliamentary office receive an additional salary that corresponds to a percentage of their basic compensation. If a Member holds two or more positions for which an additional salary is granted, the Member will receive only the higher amount.
The following table outlines the amount paid with respect to service in any of the listed positions. The amount is paid in addition to the basic compensation on the bi-weekly payroll and is fully taxable.
Position |
% of Basic Compensation |
Additional Salary
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Indemnity (Basic Compensation) | 100% | $ 119,532.72 | $ 4,584.82 |
| Premier | 90% | $ 107,579.45 | $ 4,126.34 |
| Minister | 50% | $ 59,766.37 | $ 2,292.41 |
| Minister of State | 35% | $ 41,836.46 | $ 1,604.69 |
| Minister without portofolio | 35% | $ 41,836.46 | $ 1,604.69 |
| Speaker | 50% | $ 59,766.37 | $ 2,292.41 |
| Deputy Speaker | 35% | $ 41,836.46 | $ 1,604.69 |
| Assistant Deputy Speaker | 35% | $ 41,836.46 | $ 1,604.69 |
| Government Whip | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Deputy Government Whip | 15% | $ 17,929.91 | $ 687.72 |
| Government Caucus Chair | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Parliamentary Secretary | 15% | $ 17,929.91 | $ 687.72 |
| Leader of the Official Opposition | 50% | $ 59,766.37 | $ 2,292.41 |
| Official Opposition House Leader | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Official Opposition Whip | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Official Opposition Deputy Whip | 15% | $ 17,929.91 | $ 687.72 |
| Official Opposition Caucus Chair | 20% | $ 23,906.55 | $ 916.96 |
| Leader of the Third Party | 25% | $ 29,883.19 | $ 1,146.20 |
| Third Party House Leader | 10% | $ 11,953.27 | $ 458.48 |
| Third Party Whip | 10% | $ 11,953.27 | $ 458.48 |
| Third Party Caucus Chair | 10% | $ 11,953.27 | $ 458.48 |
| Chair, Select Standing or Special Committee | 15% | $ 17,929.91 | $ 687.72 |
| Deputy Chair, Select Standing or Special Committee | 10% | $ 11,953.27 | $ 458.48 |
MLA Pension Plan
Legislative changes to the Members' Remuneration and Pensions Act in 2007 included the introduction of a defined-benefit pension plan. Every MLA under age 71 is required to participate in the plan, which contains the following key provisions:
- Contributions are fixed at 11% of a Member's pensionable earnings (basic compensation and any additional salary earned). The amount of government contributions is determined by the Public Service Pension Board of Trustees. All contributions are held and administered by the BC Pension Corporation on behalf of the Legislative Assembly.
- The amount of the annual pension is based on a benefit accrual rate of 3.5% of the highest 3-year average annual pensionable earnings. The maximum pension an MLA may receive is 70% of these earnings.
- An MLA is not entitled to a pension unless he or she has served in the Legislature for at least six years, including the years the Member served immediately prior to the introduction of this plan (April 2007).
- An MLA receives an unreduced pension at age 65, with the option for a retired Member to take a reduced pension between the ages of 60 and 65 (3% reduction for each year pension payments commence before a Member's 65th birthday).
- The normal form of pension for an MLA with a spouse at retirement is joint life, with the pension payable to the surviving spouse reduced to 60% on the MLA's death. For a Member without a spouse at retirement, the pension is normally for life.
Section 40 of the Act specifies that two pieces of financial information regarding the MLA pension plan must be posted on the Legislative Assembly website:
- The total cost incurred during a calendar year by the government of the purchase of service before April 1, 2007, with a cut-off date of July 1, 2011.
The total cost was $16,412,712 in 2008; $974,061 in 2009; $1,062,873 in 2010; and $2,451,280 in 2011. - The contribution by government to the BC Public Service Pension Plan, based on the rate determined as modified by the public service board.
The current government contribution rate is 38.68% (effective July 1, 2024). In addition, each MLA contributes 11 percent of basic compensation and any additional salary to the pension plan.