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. This increase aligns with the average wage growth observed in negotiated settlements with bargaining units of 500 or more employees in the private sector and reflects adjustments tied to inflation and cost-of-living metrics.
However, the base salary is just one component of a broader compensation package available to Canada’s elected representatives.
Additional Compensation and Benefits
Members of Parliament who represent constituencies outside the Ottawa area may qualify for a housing allowance or reimbursement to offset the cost of maintaining temporary accommodations in the capital while attending House of Commons sessions.
Moreover, MPs who take on additional roles receive substantial salary top-ups. These roles include:
Speaker of the House of Commons
Ministers and Ministers of State
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leaders of other recognized parties
Parliamentary Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs
Party Whips and House Leaders
Depending on their responsibilities, these top-ups can range from several thousand to over $100,000 annually. As a result, total annual compensation can range from $209,800 for backbench MPs to $419,600 for the Prime Minister.
How do MP salaries stack up against other federal public employees?
Senior public servants like federal court judges, deputy ministers and the CEOs of crown corporations earn significantly more than MPs.
Federal Court Judges: Salaries range from $338,800 to $371,400, depending on the position. For example, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal earns $371,400, while other judges earn $338,800.
Deputy Ministers: Salaries vary by jurisdiction. Federally, Deputy Ministers at the DM-1 level earn between $248,400 and $292,200, while those at the DM-4 level earn between $357,600 and $420,600.
The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Crown Corporations: Salaries vary. Federally, those at the CEO 1 grouping can earn between $161,000 and $189,400, while those at the CEO 8 grouping can earn between $573,000 and $674,700.
Salary increases and oversight
MP salaries are reviewed annually and adjusted based on a formula that ties increases to an index of the average percentage increase in wages resulting from settlements negotiated with bargaining units of 500 or more employees in the private sector in Canada. The process is overseen by the Members of Parliament Compensation Act, and adjustments do not require a vote in the House of Commons.
