MPPs in Ontario receive 4.2% raise now salary freeze has ended | Globalnews.ca
On the day Ontario’s minimum wage increased by roughly two per cent, members of provincial parliament are also receiving a pay increase that is in line with their federal counterparts.
Last year, all of the province’s parties agreed to a 35-per cent pay raise for MPPs and the creation of a new pension plan after a salary freeze at Queen’s Park that lasted 16 years.
After the one-time raise in 2025, the government said it “will be tied to federal MP salaries, ensuring that MPP compensation remains competitive and reflective of inflation.”
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As a result, MPP pay increased by 4.2 per cent on April 1, a move the majority of Ontarians oppose, a recent study suggests.
Polling conducted by Ipsos for Global News found that 60 per cent of people oppose a pay raise for Ontario’s legislators, while 20 per cent are in favour. The remaining 20 per cent didn’t have an opinion.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation previously called on elected officials to reject the raise.
“MPPs shouldn’t be trying to give themselves a big pay raise while taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet with the rising cost of living,” Noah Jarvis, CTF’s Ontario director, said.
“Especially when the government is borrowing tens of billions of dollars each year just to keep the lights on.”
MPPs are slated to receive a 4.2-per cent pay increase on April 1, boosting a backbench member’s pay from $157,350 to $163,959.
None of the four main parties responded to questions about the pay increase in time for publication.
Last year, all parties said higher compensation was important to ensure politics can attract the most qualified candidates.
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