Quebec committee recommends over 20% pay increase for politicians
A committee is recommending that the salaries of elected officials in Quebec be increased by $30,000 per year.
If the recommendation is implemented, the annual salary of MNAs would rise from $101,561 to $131,766.
The work of MNAs in Quebec has become more complex in recent years, and their duties have increased considerably, the committee said.
Ministers' salaries, meanwhile, would rise from $177,732 to $230,591.
Premier François Legault would earn $270,120. His salary is currently $208,200.
The Bureau of the National Assembly (BAN) voted last February to create a committee that studied the remuneration of elected officials. It was composed of former Liberal minister Lise Thériault, former PQ MNA Martin Ouellet and a human resources specialist, Jérôme Côté.
"I want Quebecers to understand that if we want to have a healthy and vibrant democracy, if we want to be attractive, if we want to have people from all walks of life, we need attractive working conditions," Ouellet said.
The report states that MNAs spend an average of 63 hours a week at work and ten hours a week on business travel.
Québec Solidaire is opposed to this salary increase. The party said it is not up to elected officials to vote on their own working conditions.
"Out of respect for the population, we need to start from the beginning in the right way with an independent and binding committee that will have the mandate to review all the remuneration and working conditions of MNAs," said QS parliamentary leader Alexandre Leduc.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 19, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.