Quebec looking to increase salaries of elected officials
Posted April 19, 2023 4:53 pm.
Last Updated April 19, 2023 5:07 pm.
A committee is recommending an increase of $30,000 per year in the salaries of elected officials.
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 would rise from $177,732 to $230,591.
Premier François Legault would earn $270,120. His salary is currently $208,200.
It was the Bureau of the National Assembly (BAN) that voted last February to create the 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, the working conditions must be attractive,” said Ouellet.
The report indicates that MPs spend an average of 63 hours per week at work and 10 hours per week on business travel.
Québec solidaire is opposed to this salary increase. According to the party, it is not up to elected officials to vote on their own working conditions.
“Out of respect for the population, we must 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 MPs,” said Alexandre Leduc of Québec solidaire.
-This article was translated from French by CityNews
