Salaries of Canadian Members of Parliament 2015-16

The salaries of Canadian members of parliament (MPs) are adjusted on April 1 each year. Increases to MPs salaries are based on an index of base-wage increases from major settlements of private-sector bargaining units maintained by the Labour Program in the federal Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The Board of Internal Economy, the committee which handles the administration of the House of Commons, does not have to accept the index recommendation. On occasions in the past, the Board has put a freeze on MP salaries. In 2015, the MP salary increase was significantly more than what the government offered in negotiations with the public service. For 2015-16, the salaries of Canadian members of parliament increased by 2.3 percent. The bonuses that members of parliament receive for extra duties, for example being a cabinet minister or chairing a standing committee, were also increased. The increase also affects severance and pension payments for MPs leaving politics in 2015, which, as an election year, will be larger  than normal. Base Salary of Members of Parliament All members of parliament now make a basic salary of $167,400, up from $163,700 in 2014. Extra Compensation for Additional Responsibilities MPs who have extra responsibilities, such as the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Leader of the Opposition, cabinet ministers, ministers of state, leaders of other parties, parliamentary secretaries, party house leaders, caucus chairs and chairs of House of Commons committees, receive additional compensation as follows: Title Additional Salary Total Salary Member of Parliament $167,400 Prime Minister* $167,400 $334,800 Speaker* $ 80,100 $247,500 Leader of the Opposition* $ 80,100 $247,500 Cabinet Minister* $ 80,100 $247,500 Minister of State $ 60,000 $227,400 Leaders of Other Parties $ 56,800 $224,200 Government Whip $ 30,000 $197,400 Opposition Whip $ 30,000 $197,400 Other Party Whips $ 11,700 $179,100 Parliamentary Secretaries $ 16,600 $184,000 Chair of Standing Committee $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chair - Government $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chair - Official Opposition $ 11,700 $179,100 Caucus Chairs - Other Parties $ 5,900 $173,300 *The Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Leader of the Opposition and  Cabinet Ministers  also get a car allowance. House of Commons Administration The Board of Internal Economy handles the finances and administration of the Canadian House of Commons. The board is chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons and includes representatives of the government and official parties (those with at least 12 seats in the House.) All of its meetings are held in camera (a legal term meaning in private) to allow for full and frank exchanges. The Members Allowances and Services Manual  is a useful source of information on House budgets, allowances, and entitlements for MPs and House Officers. It includes insurance plans available to MPs, their office budgets by constituency, the House of Commons rules on travel expenses, rules on mailing householders and 10-percenters, and the cost of using the members gym (annual $100 personal expense including HST for MP and spouse). The Board of Internal Economy also publishes quarterly summaries of MP expense reports, known as  Members Expenditures Reports, within three months of the end of the quarter.