The income of Quebec politicians is attracting attention these days, when we learned on Tuesday that three of the five party leaders, including François Legault, hold assets of several million dollars. But how much, exactly, does a Premier of Quebec earn? We explain to you.
First, you should know that in Quebec, the base salary of an MNA is $95,704. And depending on the parliamentary roles that the member occupies, amounts can be added.
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Unsurprisingly, François Legault is the best paid of all Quebec deputies and ministers. In addition to his base salary of $95,704, he receives an allowance of $100,489 as Prime Minister, to which are added office expenses of $800 per month, which is equivalent to $9,600 per year.
This last amount is used to cover the expenses incurred by the Prime Minister – or a minister – in the performance of his duties, in particular his meal and accommodation expenses in his riding or outside Québec, his entertainment expenses, etc
Currently, the Prime Minister therefore receives an income of $205,793 as a public service employee.
A massive personal fortune
However, the head of state’s salary is only a small part of his annual income, since Mr. Legault declares an annual income of just under $479,500, including $260,000 drawn from a registered income fund of retirement.
Mr. Legault and his wife Isabelle Brais declared assets totaling $7.8 million this week.
And what about ministers?
As far as ministers are concerned, an amount of $71,778 is added to an MNA’s basic salary, in addition to the $800 per month.
Lower salary than Trudeau
Federal politicians earn more than Quebec MPs. Members of the House of Commons earn a basic annual income of $185,800, to which bonuses may be added depending on the functions they hold. A federal minister earns, for example, $88,700 more per year.
As for his Quebec counterpart, Justin Trudeau is the best paid in the lower house of Parliament: he receives twice the base salary, an amount of $ 371,600.
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