The House of Commons says a New Brunswick Member of Parliament has no choice but to accept an $8,800 salary increase.
According to a recent report from CBC News, Miramichi Conservative MP Mike Dawson filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court this past June. He wants to stop Parliament from giving him the raise.
House clerk Eric Janse filed an affidavit in response. Janse states all members of Parliament must receive the exact pay set out in federal legislation. He argues deviating from the law is illegal and creates an administrative burden.
The Legal and Administrative Argument
The base salary for members of Parliament increased to $217,700 on April 1. Federal legislation indexes this pay to a formula based on private sector salary hikes.
Janse explains allowing Dawson to refuse the money requires House staff to create separate calculations just for him. They need to maintain this unique payroll process every year he remains in office.
Dawson Pushes Back
Dawson believes accepting the raise is wrong while many Canadians struggle with the rising cost of living. He currently donates the extra money to charity but wants the right to reject it completely.
When you look at your own paycheck, you know payroll systems handle complex deductions every day. As a business owner, Dawson says he easily managed employee payroll deductions. He believes stopping a pay increase requires minimal effort.
“We seem to be all right to put somebody on the moon, but we cannot stop a pay raise,” Dawson said. “Everything is electronic for pay. It is just a matter of clicking a button.”
Full legal arguments in this case will take place over the next two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mike Dawson refusing his pay raise?
Dawson believes it is wrong to accept an $8,800 salary increase while Canadians face high living costs.
What does the House of Commons say about his refusal?
The House of Commons states federal law requires all members of Parliament to receive the prescribed salary. They also claim creating a custom payroll process for one person creates unnecessary administrative work.
What happens to the extra money right now?
Dawson currently donates the $8,800 raise to charity while he fights the issue in Federal Court.
$8,800 per year salary increase ? That’s insane. I guess MP Mike Dawson could give the money to local Food Banks if he doesn’t want the money. Politicians make too much money and have too many perks. Politician and Senate salaries should be approved by an unpaid Public Committee of 7.
A worthy arguement and politically savy geture? $8800 increase in salary almost 50% goes to fed and prov income tax, only netting recipent about 5000. Donate it all, get the political good will and get almost 50 % tax credit and still net almost $5000 increased income, leaving voters believing the increase was all donated and net income sacrificed on principal?