Premier and cabinet to take a pay cut

Premier Jim Prentice has announced that he, along with his cabinet ministers, will be taking a 5 per cent pay cut.

The reduction, which will save the province around $200,000 this year, goes into effect on Sunday.

A motion is expected next week to pass similar pay cuts for back benchers and opposition members, a move that would increase the savings to roughly $600,000.

There are concerns that this move means that those in public sector unions should start expecting similar pay cuts.

Prentice says those discussions have begun, but no specific measures are on the table.