Ontario teacher emails every MP, imploring them to turn down the annual April 1 pay increase

It’s an April Fool’s Day tradition. MPs give themselves pay raises every year on April 1 under the Parliament of Canada Act .

But this year, an Oakville, Ont. business and economics teacher has written the parliamentarians — each one of them copied in a group email — to urge them not to take the raise.

“I am writing to ask that you voluntarily forgo this increase, in solidarity with the millions of Canadians currently facing financial hardship,” writes David Suchanek in an email shared with National Post.

“MP Mike Dawson has already set the standard by refusing his hike, proving that true leadership is about more than just optics, it’s about fiscal responsibility and accountability. While some dismiss the $5 million total as a small figure, I see it as a vital test of character for our elected officials.”

Dawson is a small business owner and new Conservative MP from New Brunswick, who represents Miramichi—Grand Lake. In a letter provided to National Post , Dawson told the clerk of the House of Commons on Feb. 10 that he wouldn’t be taking the raise, criticizing it as “distasteful.”

He said the raise is unseemly “when everyday Canadians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living,” and stated in his letter that he “cannot in good conscience accept the pay increase of nearly $10,000, which every Member of Parliament is set to receive.”

Meanwhile, Suchanek implored MPs: “I hope you will choose the path of easy sacrifice over automatic entitlement.”

Members of Parliament will receive a 4.2 per cent raise on April 1, based on the government’s wage data . This year’s pay raise will amount to an extra $8,800 for backbench MPs, $13,000 for ministers and $17,600 for the prime minister. After the raise, backbench MPs will receive approximately $218,600, a minister will collect $322,700 and the prime minister will take home $437,200.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation also holds the view that MPs should eschew the raise and are calling them “to stop the April 1 politician pay raise.”

“Taxpayers are disgusted by the automatic pay raise culture in Ottawa and we expect our politicians to show leadership by saying ‘no’ to another helping of taxpayer cash,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director in a statement posted to the CTF website. “Prime Minister Mark Carney told Canadians to brace for ‘sacrifices,’ so the least politicians could do is stop stuffing their own wallets with more taxpayers’ money.”

Earlier this week, the CTF released the results of a Leger poll showing that 78 per cent of Canadians support Dawson’s decision to reject the upcoming pay raise. According to the CTF, the poll also shows that 80 per cent of Canadians oppose the MP pay raise.

“Here’s something Dawson needs to remember: He may be alone on this issue in the House of Commons for now, but regular taxpayers across Canada are standing with him,” says Terrazzano.

The annual adjustments are legislatively mandated. The remuneration packages are adjusted each year on April 1 based on an index of average-percentage increases in wages established in major settlements negotiated in the private sector.

The index is published by Employment and Social Development Canada within three months (of) the end of each calendar year. The updated allowances manual shows the compensation for everyone from the prime minister down through party leaders, chief and deputy whips, caucus chairs, committee chairs and backbenchers.

• New Brunswick Conservative MP says he’s refusing 'distasteful' $8K pay raise
• MPs get annual April Fool's Day pay raise but poll says Canadians aren't laughing

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