OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimates members of Parliament will take a 3.9 per cent pay raise on April 1.

“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 Federal Director. “Canadians can’t afford one more dollar going to highly paid politicians and MPs don’t deserve another raise.”

A backbench MP’s salary is currently $203,100. A minister collects $299,900, while the prime minister takes home a $406,200 annual salary. 

MPs give themselves pay raises each year on April 1, based on the average annual increase in union contracts with corporations that have 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 corporate union contracts totaled about 3.9 per cent in 2024. Using this data, the CTF estimates this year’s pay raise will amount to an extra $7,900 for backbench MPs, $11,600 for ministers and $15,800 for the prime minister.

After this year’s pay raise, backbench MPs will receive a $211,000 annual salary, according to CTF estimates. A minister will collect $311,500 and the prime minister will take home $422,000.

Leger polling released by the CTF shows 80 per cent of Canadians opposed the MP pay raise in 2024, 80 per cent opposed it in 2023 and 79 per cent opposed it in 2022.

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

“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,” Terrazzano said. “It’s not rocket science: MPs should do the right thing and stop their upcoming pay raise.”