Today, the House of Assembly passed a resolution to appoint Heather M. Jacobs, KC to conduct a review of Members’ compensation in the 50th General Assembly, as required by the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act (the Act). The appointment is in accordance with subsection 16(1), which requires that such a review take place once during each general assembly. The appointment is effective December 1, 2023.
The mandate of the Members’ Compensation Review Committee (MCRC) in accordance with the Act is to conduct an inquiry and provide recommendations respecting the salaries, allowances, severance and pensions paid to Members of the House of Assembly. The MCRC must deliver its report to the Speaker on or before April 1, 2024. Once submitted, the House of Assembly Management Commission will review the recommendations in accordance with the process prescribed in the Act.
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“The appointment of Ms. Jacobs by resolution of the House to conduct this review was further to a recommendation of the Management Commission, as well as additional consultation required by the Act with the Government House Leader, Opposition House Leader and the Third Party. There was agreement that Ms. Jacobs’ extensive experience in the public service will be an asset for this review. On behalf of all Members, I extend thanks to her for taking on this work.”
Honourable Derek Bennett, MHA
Speaker of the House of Assembly
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Media contact
Mark Jerrett
House of Assembly
709-729-6943
markjerrett@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biography
Heather M. Jacobs, KC served as Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Public Safety on three occasions from 2015 to 2022. Prior to that time, Ms. Jacobs also served as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of Justice and Public Safety for nine years, managed the Government Services Unit within the Civil Division of the Department of Justice for four years, and served as a solicitor in the Civil Division for 13 years. Ms. Jacobs received her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University in 1984 and Bachelor of Laws degree from York University (Osgoode Hall) in 1987. Ms. Jacobs was appointed Queens Counsel in 2015 and has been a practicing member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1988. She has served as a member of the Nalcor Board (as government appointee) and sat independently in 2018. She has also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Oil and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of the Board of the RNC Foundation.
Appointment Resolution
WHEREAS subsection 16(1) of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act requires that an independent committee, called a Members’ Compensation Review Committee, be appointed at least once during each General Assembly; and
WHEREAS in accordance with subsection 16(2) of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, the Speaker has consulted with the Government House Leader, the Opposition House Leader and the Third Party on the appointment to the said committee; and
WHEREAS the Government House Leader, Opposition House Leader and Third Party have agreed with the introduction of this resolution; and
WHEREAS under subsection 16(4) of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, a Members’ Compensation Review Committee appointed under this resolution must report to the Speaker on its recommendations within 120 days of its appointment;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
- That Heather Jacobs, KC, is appointed to the Members’ Compensation Review Committee, with the appointment to be effective on December 1, 2023;
- That in accordance with section 16 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, the Members’ Compensation Review Committee shall inquire into and prepare a report respecting the salaries, allowances, severance and pensions to be paid to the Members of the House of Assembly; and
- That in particular, the Committee shall:
- recommend the annual salary for Members of the House of Assembly;
- review and make recommendations regarding additional salary provisions for positions identified in subsection 12(1) of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act;
- recommend a formula or means for making annual salary adjustments for salary amounts referenced in clauses (a) and (b) above;
- review and make any recommendations regarding the current severance pay policy for Members of the House of Assembly;
- review the current provisions for Members’ pensions and provide any recommendations for adjustments;
AND THAT, as part of its inquiries, the committee may consult with appropriate persons who can assist the committee with respect to its required duties and shall consult with current Members of the House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service regarding any issues identified in the current regime as well as any administrative, legislative or other impacts of proposed recommendations;
AND THAT the House of Assembly shall conclude any contractual arrangements required to carry out the intent of this resolution;
AND THAT the Members’ Compensation Review Committee deliver its report to the Speaker on or before April 1, 2024.