When Prime Minister Mark Carney was sworn into office Friday morning, Justin Trudeau joined a club with just five other members – living former prime ministers. Being Canada’s former head of government comes with its own perks, however.
Sitting Canadian prime ministers are protected by the RCMP’s Prime Minister Protective Detail, providing a security detail for the head of government domestically and abroad. All departing prime ministers are offered protection services by the RCMP’s VIP Protection Detail, though some have turned the security detail down or only take advantage of it in certain circumstances.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the first prime minister to receive a security detail after leaving office on recommendation of the RCMP, as security officials were worried that Trudeau’s controversial tenure would make him a security risk.
The younger Trudeau is likely to receive a full security detail immediately after leaving office, as Trudeau presided over a largely unpopular government in his final years that saw him met with angry protesters at his public events.
Prime ministers who have served at least four years in office are entitled to a special pension on top of their normal pension as a member of Parliament.
In a formula determined by the prime minister’s salary upon leaving office and the years served as prime minister, Trudeau’s annual allowance will be $109,674. He will be eligible to begin collecting this allowance when he turns 67 years old. This is above his Parliamentary pension which he can begin collecting in a year and a half when he turns 55.
Prime ministers generally retire to quietly lead lives while rarely interjecting in the politics of the day.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper founded the consulting company Harper & Associates and wrote two books – Right Here Right Now and Flags of Canada.
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien worked at the law firm Heenan Blaikie before transitioning to the global firm Denton’s.
Before entering politics, Trudeau made significant sums of money as a public speaker at events and conferences, a career that former prime minister Kim Campbell entered after her brief tenure as Canada’s head of government.