Executive Council
May 9, 2016
Bringing Greater Accountability to Government
Legislative Changes Introduced to Parliamentary Secretaries Act and Parliamentary Assistant Act
The Provincial Government today introduced legislative amendments in the House of Assembly to eliminate the practice of paying parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant to the Premier and to no longer limit the number of parliamentary secretaries to four.
"Parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant are key contributors in government. They provide valuable support to ministers and to me as Premier. In these positions, MHAs also gain important experience that prepares them for possible ministerial positions in the future. The removal of compensation for these positions also reflects our commitment to strong fiscal management."
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Parliamentary secretaries have the ability to:
- Represent the minister at a public meeting or event;
- Participate in the administration and/or delivery of a departmental program, at the discretion of the minister;
- Make announcements and statements in the House of Assembly; and
- Respond to questions posed to the minister in the House of Assembly, if the minister is absent.
"As a government, we will continue to explore opportunities to work more efficiently and effectively. These legislative changes mark an important step in demonstrating our government's commitment to sound financial management and representing the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Government House Leader
Currently, there are four parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant to the Premier. Prior to the 2015 General Election, parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant were paid an annual salary of $27,036, along with their MHA salary.
QUICK FACTS
- Premier Ball today introduced amendments to the Parliamentary Secretaries Act and the Parliamentary Assistant Act.
- Legislative amendments remove the limitation on the number parliamentary secretaries that can hold office at one time and makes them unpaid positions.
- Eliminating compensation for parliamentary secretaries and the parliamentary assistant is in line with the current fiscal situation in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Media contacts:
|
Nancy O'Connor
Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-689-1825 nancyoconnor@gov.nl.ca |
Erin Curran
Communications Specialist Office of the Premier 709-725-9231 ErinCurran@gov.nl.ca |
2016 05 09 3:55 p.m.