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Government
Explore how different levels of government work across the country and what they are responsible for. Dive into topics like the electoral process, including how legislators are selected, election campaign finances and costs of running elections, what the public service does, explore crown agencies, and more. Our Canada Facts series explores insights about Canada, all backed by solid data and designed to keep you informed and intrigued.
Key Indicators
Members of Parliament (MP)
MP base salary
Government
What is Old Age Security and how does it work?
Old Age Security (OAS) is a public pension for most Canadians who are 65 or older. It pays out a fixed amount monthly and increases are calculated each January, April, July, and October, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
What is the Canada Pension Plan and how does it work?
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides a monthly payment to retirees and is one of three pillars of Canada's retirement income system, alongside Old Age Security (OAS) and private savings. In 2023-2024, over 6.6 million received monthly CPP benefits with total annual payouts reaching $60 billion.
What are crown corporations and why do they exist?
Crown corporations are government-owned entities created to operate in the public interest, but they function with a degree of independence from direct political control. There are currently 43 federal Crown corporations operating in various sectors, including transportation, energy, finance, and media.
How many Senators does Canada have? How much do they earn?
The Canadian Senate has 105 members, appointed by the Governor General, divided among the provinces and territories. As of April 1, 2025, the base salary of a Senator was $184,800. Senators can earn more by taking on additional roles and responsibilities.
How much do Canadian Members of Parliament earn?
The base salary of a Member of Parliament (MP) in Canada reached $209,800 in 2025, up 3.3% from the previous year. MPs who take on additional roles receive substantial salary top-ups that range from several thousand to over $100,000.
How many Members of Parliament does Canada have?
Following the 2025 federal election, Canada’s House of Commons will have 343 Members of Parliament (MPs). The number of MPs in the House of Commons changes over time to reflect shifts in Canada’s population.
Who are Canada’s longest and shortest-serving Prime Ministers
William Lyon Mackenzie is Canada’s longest-serving prime minister. He held the position for more than 21 years over three non-consecutive terms. Meanwhile, Charles Tupper, who was Prime Minister for 69 days, has the shortest tenure. Wilfred Laurier has the distinction of having the longest uninterrupted term, 15 years.
Who are the top paid pubic sector workers in Ontario?
Since 1996, the Government of Ontario has published its annual disclosure of public sector employees earning over $100,000. Commonly known as the sunshine list, the 2024 iteration features 377,666 individuals representing more than 2,200 organizations. The highest-paid public sector worker in 2024 was Kenneth Hartwick, President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, with a salary of over $2 million.