Governor General's Fifth Consecutive Pay Raise Sparks Taxpayer Outrage
For the fifth consecutive year, Canada's Governor General will receive a significant salary increase, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from taxpayer advocacy groups. The Privy Council Office has confirmed that Governor General Mary Simon will receive a $15,800 pay raise this year, bringing her annual take-home salary to $393,800.
Automatic Increases Under Legislative Mandate
The salary adjustment is not discretionary but rather mandated by legislation. According to the Privy Council Office, the raise is determined by provisions in the Governor General's Act, which establishes an automatic annual increase based on a complex formula tied to industrial aggregates. This formula typically results in annual raises ranging from 2% to 7%.
Since taking office in 2021, Governor General Simon has received consistent annual increases:
- 2024: $11,200 raise
- 2025: $15,200 raise
- 2026: $15,800 raise (current)
These increases have elevated the Governor General's salary from its 2014 baseline of $270,602, representing a $91,000 increase since 2019 alone.
Taxpayer Advocacy Group Condemns 'Entitlement Culture'
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has been particularly vocal in its criticism of the automatic raises. Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the CTF, described the situation as emblematic of an "entitlement culture in Ottawa" that he claims disrespects Canadian taxpayers.
"The Governor General was already costing taxpayers too much money," Terrazzano stated. "Simon's latest pay raise is almost enough to cover a Canadian family's entire grocery bill for a year."
Terrazzano further argued that "taxpayers demand a culture change in Ottawa and that means the government needs to stop rubber-stamping pay raises for the Governor General, politicians and bureaucrats."
Comparative Context and Broader Implications
The Governor General's salary stands in stark contrast to the average Canadian income. According to Statistics Canada, the average annual salary for Canadians is approximately $75,000, meaning the Governor General earns more than five times the national average.
This automatic raise system extends beyond the vice-regal position. Members of Parliament and senators also receive legislated increases every April 1, with this year's adjustments ranging from $8,800 to $17,600. The basic salary for MPs is currently $209,800, with additional stipends for those holding specific roles:
- Cabinet ministers receive an extra $99,900 annually
- The Speaker of the House receives the same additional amount
- The prime minister earns double the standard MP salary, currently $419,600
The CTF has called for an end to what it describes as automatic, unearned increases for government officials, arguing that these raises should be tied to performance and fiscal responsibility rather than legislative mandates.
