Canadian Members of Parliament (MP) are poised to receive a 3.9% pay increase on April 1 with salary bumps ranging from $7,900 for backbench MPs to $15,800 for the prime minister, according to estimates from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).
The organization is calling for an end to these automatic raises, arguing that MPs should not be boosting their salaries while many Canadians struggle with affordability.
“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 Franco Terrazzano, CTF’s Federal Director. “Canadians can’t afford one more dollar going to highly paid politicians, and MPs don’t deserve another raise.”
Currently, a backbench MP earns $203,100 annually, while cabinet ministers collect $299,900. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes home a salary of $406,200. After the increase, backbench MPs are expected to earn $211,000 per year, ministers will receive $311,500, and the prime minister’s salary will rise to $422,000.
MP pay raises are determined based on the average wage increase in union contracts negotiated by corporations with at least 500 employees. Government of Canada data indicates that the average increase in these contracts was approximately 3.9% in 2024, which the CTF used to estimate this year’s hike.
Public opposition to these annual raises remains high. Leger polling released by the CTF shows that 80% of Canadians opposed MP pay increases in both 2024 and 2023, while 79% opposed them in 2022.
The federal government previously suspended automatic MP pay raises between 2010 and 2013 in response to the 2008-09 recession. The CTF argues that now is another critical moment to halt the increases.
“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.”
With inflation and cost-of-living concerns top of mind for many Canadians, the debate over MP compensation is expected to continue leading up to April’s scheduled salary adjustments.