Poll shows 4 in 5 Canadians oppose MP pay raise

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released Leger polling today showing 80 per cent of Canadians oppose the member of Parliament pay raise on April 1.

“The poll results are crystal clear: Canadians don’t think MPs deserve another pay raise,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “It looks like the only Canadians who strongly support an MP pay raise are probably the politicians themselves.”

The Leger poll asked Canadians if they support or oppose the upcoming MP pay raise. Results of the poll show (totals may be slightly off due to rounding):

• 62 per cent strongly oppose
• 18 per cent somewhat oppose
• 12 per cent somewhat support
• 2 per cent strongly support
• 7 per cent don’t know

MPs give themselves pay raises each year on April 1, based on the average annual increase in union contracts with corporations with 500 or more employees.

While final pay numbers have not been released, contract data published by the government of Canada shows the average annual increase in the private sector was 4.2 per cent in 2023. Using this data, the CTF estimates this year’s pay raise will amount to an extra $8,100 for backbench MPs, $11,900 for ministers and $16,200 for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

After this year’s pay raise, backbench MPs will receive a $202,700 annual salary, according to CTF estimates. A minister will collect $299,300, while Trudeau will take home $405,400.

The federal government stopped automatic MP pay hikes from 2010 to 2013 in response to the 2008-09 recession.

“We haven’t heard a single MP from any party forcefully try to stop the pay raise,” Terrazzano said. “On the very same day politicians take more money out of Canadians’ wallets with tax hikes, they’ll be stuffing more money into their own and that’s wrong.

“All MPs should speak out against the tax hikes and politician pay raise.”

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