Nearly one in three Liberal backbenchers will receive a $20,200 annual bonus after Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed 39 MPs as parliamentary secretaries, a move he says will help advance the government’s mandate.The appointments represent 30% of the Liberal caucus not already in cabinet or serving as secretaries of state. While fewer than the 41 secretaries under Justin Trudeau in 2021, the number exceeds historical norm s — Stephen Harper named 26 in 2006, and there were just three during the First World War.“Canada’s new parliamentary secretary team will deliver on the government’s mandate for change,” Carney said. He added the MPs will “help Canadians get ahead.”.Parliamentary secretaries are part-time roles assisting ministers by handling routine matters in the House of Commons, sitting as non-voting committee members and acting as liaisons between ministers and MPs. The responsibilities include making statements, tabling documents and occasionally speaking on a minister’s behalf, according to the House of Commons standing orders.The bonus is in addition to the standard $209,800 MP salary.Carney emphasized representation during a recent caucus meeting, highlighting that the Liberal caucus now includes the largest number of women in party and national history, the largest British Columbia contingent ever, and the largest Québec caucus in 45 years.Among the appointees, Rachel Bendayan and Kody Blois were named parliamentary secretaries to the Prime Minister. Others were tapped for key files including housing, foreign affairs, natural resources, industry, culture, and Canada-U.S. trade.
