Canadian members of Parliament are up for yet another salary increase this spring, with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimating MPs will give themselves a 3.9% raise on April 1.
The official figures have yet to be released but contract data published by the Government of Canada revealed an increase of around $7,900 for backbench MPs while ministers will get an additional $11,600.
The prime minister is also poised to receive a raise of an extra $15,800 this year.
“Instead of padding their pockets again this year, it’s time for MPs to stand up for taxpayers and demand an end to these pay raises,” said CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano. “Canadians can’t afford one more dollar going to highly paid politicians and MPs don’t deserve another raise.”
The pay increase sits atop the already cushy salaries of $299,900 for ministers and $203,100 for backbench MPs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau currently takes home $406,200 per year.
As a result, backbench MPs will earn $211,000 in 2025, while ministers will make $311,500 and the prime minister will receive $422,000.
MPs grant themselves an annual pay increase on April 1 with the amount being predicated on union contracts with corporations that have at least 500 employees.
However, this practice was put on hold from 2010 to 2013 in response to the 2008 economic recession.
Four in five Canadians surveyed last year opposed the 2024 pay raise for MPs.
Of the 80% against the hike, just over three-quarters strongly oppose it, with the rest somewhat opposed.
The results reflect a consistent trend, mirroring the two previous years, where 80% and 79% of respondents opposed MPs getting pay raises.
“Canadians need MPs who will be champions for taxpayers and demand an end to these pay raises, because when politicians pad their pockets, bureaucrats demand more money too,” said Terrazzano. “It’s not rocket science: MPs should do the right thing and stop their upcoming pay raise.”