Senators, MPs receive 2.3 per cent pay hike

A view of the Senate chamber on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 13, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

On a day when expense claims dominated the political agenda, senators and MPs received a pay hike.

Under a 2.3 per cent increase that kicked in April 1, the base salary of a Member of Parliament jumped to $167,400, up from $163,700.

Senators are now making a minimum of $142,400 -- a slightly higher jump of 2.7 per cent jump. By law, members of the Red Chamber must be paid exactly $25,000 less than MPs.

The 2.3 per cent bump also applies to the extra wages MPs and senators earn for taking on additional responsibilities, such as serving as a Speaker, cabinet minister, committee chair or party whip.

That means the Prime Minister will now be making $334,800 (an additional $167,400 on top of his MP pay), while the Speaker, cabinet ministers and Opposition Leader will all be earning $247,500.

The annual salary increases – which are legislated under the Parliament of Canada Act -- are calculated by taking an average of the wage increases negotiated by unions in the private sector, based on companies that employ more than 500 people.

The Board of Internal Economy – which oversees financial and administrative matters of the House of Commons – doesn’t have to accept the increase.

In the wake of the last global recession, salaries were frozen for a three-year period starting in 2009-2010.