A quiet grab for more money is underway, and Ontario taxpayers could be footing the bill. Provincial politicians are poised to receive another pay increase, coming on the heels of a substantial raise granted just last year.
This isn’t about modest adjustments; it’s a pattern of self-enrichment that’s sparking outrage. While families struggle with rising costs, politicians are considering bolstering their already comfortable incomes, seemingly oblivious to the financial strain on those they represent.
The process itself was deeply flawed. Last year’s 35% increase was rushed through the legislature with minimal debate and, crucially, no public consultation. A bill was tabled and passed in a matter of minutes, effectively bypassing the voices of the people who fund these salaries.
This April, MPPs are set to receive an additional $6,609 each. The Premier’s increase alone will cost taxpayers nearly $12,000, with ministers and opposition leaders also benefiting from significantly larger paychecks.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Two in five Ontarians are living just $200 away from being unable to pay their bills each month. Food bank usage has skyrocketed, increasing by 165% in the last five years, with a quarter of those relying on food banks currently employed.
Confidence in the province’s economic future is dwindling. Ontarians are losing hope that life will become more affordable, or that taxes will ever decrease. The idea of politicians, already earning more than three times the median income, receiving further increases feels like a slap in the face.
Adding insult to injury, the government is deeply in debt. This year alone, they are borrowing $13.4 billion just to cover operating expenses, pushing the total provincial debt to a staggering $459 billion – roughly $28,000 per person.
A massive $16.2 billion is being spent solely on interest payments, money that could be used for vital services like schools or tax relief. To suggest borrowing funds to finance pay raises is a breathtaking display of misplaced priorities.
While provincial politicians contemplate their increases, a glimmer of integrity emerges at the federal level. Conservative MP Mike Dawson has publicly rejected his upcoming pay raise, calling it “distasteful” given the struggles of average Canadians.
Dawson’s stance is a powerful reminder that public service should be about serving the public, not personal gain. It’s a principle that provincial MPPs would be wise to embrace.
The looming pay raise must be rejected. It’s time for politicians to shift their focus from self-enrichment to easing the financial burden on the hardworking people of Ontario, and to prioritize responsible fiscal management.
