MLA Allowances

Effective April 1, 2009, unless otherwise noted

CONSTITUENCY ALLOWANCE - All Members are entitled to reimbursement for authorized expenses for the purpose of providing non-partisan access and service to constituents. Maximum annual amounts are set by region for Winnipeg, Southern and Northern Members. Authorized expenses fall under the four categories of Office Space, Office Operation, Staff Salaries and Representation. Equipment and furnishing items costing $169 and over are the property of the Legislative Assembly. Maximum annual amounts that may be reimbursed per region are:
- Winnipeg Region - $54,055.00
- Southern Region - $50,124.00
- Northern Region - $48,254.00
For representation expenses, reimbursement is subject to a maximum annual limit of 15% of the Member's Constituency Allowance annual amount.

CONSTITUENCY ASSISTANTS ALLOWANCE - All Members are entitled to pay a constituency assistant(s)a salary including holiday and vacation pay to a bi-weekly maximum of $1,413.00 from this allowance. The allowance also provides for the cost of employee benefits. Salary costs that are over the bi-weekly maximum are then claimable as a staff salary expense under the Member's Constituency Allowance.

TRAVEL ALLOWANCE - All Members are entitled to reimbursement for authorized travel expenses. The total amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement varies depending on the size and location of a constituency, such as for Southern and Northern Members. The maximum amount of travel expenses eligible for reimbursement for Winnipeg Members is $5,740.00 per member. Out-of-Province travel expenses are subject to an annual maximum limit of $3,344.00, within the Member's Travel Allowance amount.

COMMUTER ALLOWANCE - Non-Winnipeg Members who are not entitled to or not claiming reimbursement for authorized temporary residence and living expenses under the Living Allowance, may claim commuting and contingency stay expenses. Commuting trips are subject to a maximum of up to 6 round trips per week when the Assembly is sitting and up to 2 round trips per week when the Assembly is not sitting. Contingency stay expenses are subject to a maximum of up to 20 overnight stays per sessional period.

LIVING ALLOWANCE - Non-Winnipeg Members who maintain a residence in both Winnipeg and their constituency, and whose residences in their constituencies are further than 50 kilometres from the Legislative Building are entitled to reimbursement for authorized temporary residence and living expenses. Temporary residence expenses such as rent and utilities may be claimed up to a maximum of $1,128.00 per month. Living expenses such as meals and dry cleaning may be claimed up to a maximum of $677.00 per month when the Assembly is sitting plus 2 additional months, plus any month in which special or standing committees meet. Otherwise the maximum is $143.00 a month.

ALTERNATIVE LIVING ALLOWANCE - Non-Winnipeg Members eligible for but not claiming temporary residence and living expenses in any month are entitled to reimbursement for authorized overnight stay expenses. The maximum is 8 overnight stays per month.

ALLOWANCE FOR EXPENSES OF ATTENDING INTERSESSIONAL COMMITTEES - A Member who is a member of a Standing or Special Committee is entitled to reimbursement for authorized expenses incurred to attend an intersessional committee meeting. The amount of reimbursement is based on the actual expenses incurred by the Member, as approved by the Speaker.