OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released Leger polling showing 63 per cent of Canadians oppose delaying the election by one week, which would trigger pensions for dozens of MPs. 

“The poll is clear: the vast majority of Canadians don’t want the government delaying the election so dozens of extra MPs can take pensions,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “All MPs should listen to Canadians and oppose this pension trickery.”

The federal government introduced legislation to move the next scheduled election from Oct. 20 to Oct. 27, 2025. This would mean 80 additional MPs would be eligible to collect a pension. 

The Leger poll asked Canadians if they support or oppose delaying the election by a week and triggering pensions for dozens of additional MPs. The results of the poll show:

• 47 per cent strongly oppose
• 17 per cent somewhat oppose
• 10 per cent somewhat support
• 6 per cent strongly support
• 21 per cent don’t know

Among those who are decided on the issue, 80 per cent of Canadians oppose delaying the election to trigger additional MP pensions. 

The additional pensions could total up to $120 million. That is the estimated lifetime pension if all 80 MPs lose their seats. The annual starting pension ranges from $32,000 to $49,000.

“Canadians are struggling, so MPs shouldn’t rig the system so more politicians can collect lucrative, taxpayer-funded pensions,” Terrazzano said. “If politicians don’t want to look shady, then they shouldn’t do shady things like this.”