{
  "id": 12916931,
  "title": "Saskatchewan MLAs racked up $10.9 million in expenses last year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/saskatchewan-mlas-racked-up-10-9-million-in-expenses-last-year",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T17:30:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12092059/saskatchewan-mlas-racked-up-10-9-million-in-expenses-last-year/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saskatchewan's provincial lawmakers collectively spent nearly $11 million in taxpayer-funded expenses during the last fiscal year, according to newly released expense statements. The Legislative Assembly Service annually compiles a detailed breakdown of each MLA's expenditures, encompassing phone bills, travel, and office-related costs between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. On average, each MLA spent around $179,000, but spending varied significantly among members.\n\nOpposition NDP members, on average, spent more than their government counterparts. Opposition NDP members spent approximately $182,000 each, compared to roughly $176,000 for government MLAs. However, government ministers spent slightly less than the average MLA, coming in about $2,500 below the overall average. The latest expense statement covers the period from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and includes a $63,000 trip to India by Premier Scott Moe in February.\n\nThe Canadian Taxpayers Federation's prairie director, Gage Haubrich, suggested that MLAs should aim to keep their expenses below the average. Four opposition MLAs led the list with the highest expenses, including Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail who spent about $233,100. The lowest spender was Agriculture Minister David Marit, who spent around $134,000. The opposition party defended their spending, stating that their MLAs work throughout the province, and travel expenses are expected in some cases.",
  "summary": "Saskatchewan MLAs are opening up their books to share their expenses from the last fiscal year on everything from phone bills to travel.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saskatchewan MLAs spent $10.9 million in taxpayer-funded expenses in 2025-2026 fiscal year.",
    "Opposition NDP members averaged $182,000 in expenses, higher than government MLAs' $176,000.",
    "Premier Scott Moe's $63,000 India trip lowered the average MLA spending."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Saskatchewan MLAs racked up $10.9 million in expenses last year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/saskatchewan-mlas-racked-up-10-9-million-in-expenses-last-year-12919326",
        "published": "2026-10-08T17:30:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}