On April 1, Canadian MPs will earn world's second-highest salary for elected officials
On April 1, Canadian MPs will earn world's second-highest salary for elected officials
MPs will get an $8,500 raise on April 1, increasing the base salary to $203,100, ranking only behind the U.S. in political salaries
I thought the idea behind high salaries was to attract the best talent. Turns out that it just floods the applicant pool with grifters and it's almost impossible to sort them out.
Also, did anyone notice that the "fixed" election date has been quietly put off for a week? I don't suppose that this has anything to do with the fact that the previous date would have left a bunch of MPs a week short of their 6-year pension eligibility? (Just a little tidbit dropped in the latest Sandy and Nora podcast.)
If the pension is for 6 years of service, and they get voted out at 5.99 years just due to poor election timelines, I don't see a problem with giving them a pension. This is a non-issue for me.
I would wonder whether 6 years is enough for a pension, but that's a separate discussion point. It seems like it was set based on someone serving two terms, with some wiggle room built in for elections being called early or such.
In my experience, a salary is interest on some combination of training and invisible social capital. Actual performance only comes up if you're a salesperson or top athlete, and you're very measurably better at what you do than the next guy.
I'm sure parliamentary Milhouse will be the first to denounce this raise? Phase the raise or whatever dumb phrasing they come up with.
These salaries are so out of touch with our current reality.
I've always thought MPs salaries should be indexed to the median income in their riding, or maybe their province. Maybe the country. I dunno.
Like 2x median or something.
Yeah. It's gameable, but I feel like any weird-ass push to increase MP salaries would have the happy side-effect of giving poor people money.
Maybe average would be a better incentive? I dunno. I don't want an Irving moving in to the riding to double the MP's pay.
Median rather than average.
Or double the average of the lowest 25% of earners.
"Earn"
$203K, that sounds reasonable to me if not a bit low for one of the most important jobs in the country.
I'm also of this mind, I don't think this is particular high for a job that is 24/7, is constantly scrutinized in front of the public, has such important responsibilities, and requires being away from your primary home for long periods of time on a regular basis.
I was an "essential worker" during covid. How much do you think I made?
Just over minimum wage? The thing is, it's not the MPs getting 200K who are getting the big chunk of the value you create with your labor. Start with the directors, VPs and walk towards the top in the private corporation you were working for. In case you in particular don't work for one of those, many if not most Canadians are so that's still valid. Why am I going on about it is because we're never gonna get out of this shit where essential labor is paid sub-living wages, among other problems, until we start focusing on where the lion's share of the surplus is going to. And it's not the MPs.
wtf? If you read to the bottom of the article it seems like we’re right in line with everyone else, other than the UK ($144K). They list other countries making $186K - $203K (us) and then there’s the US making $236K. This seems fine to me.
BREAKING: Headline exaggerated for clicks! /s
But yeah, thanks for pointing it out.
April 1 ..... someone is playing a joke on someone here
Hard work means high salary right!? /s
They are just hoping to afford a modest house if three of them can pitch in together