tl;dr: Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) earn a base salary set by an independent body. With benefits and additional roles, most MPPs make significantly more than the base pay. This article explains exactly what they make, the extras they can earn, and how that compares to other public-sector roles you might know.
Introduction
Let’s break down a question I get asked a lot: How much does an MPP make in Ontario? You’ve probably heard figures tossed around in the news, but it can be confusing to understand what’s base salary, what’s extras, and how it compares to other government roles.
In this piece, we’ll cover:
- What the base salary for Ontario MPPs is
- How much extra they earn for additional duties
- Benefits and pension
- How Ontario compares to other provinces
By the end, you’ll have a clear, grounded sense of how MPP compensation works.
What’s the Base Salary for an Ontario MPP?
Ontario MPPs are paid a base salary that’s reviewed and recommended by the Independent Office for Legislative Compensation — a body that makes sure pay isn’t set directly by politicians themselves. This is meant to reduce conflicts of interest.
As of 2025, the base salary for an Ontario MPP is $127,200 per year. This figure was set based on recommendations to reflect the responsibilities and time commitment of the role.
Base pay is taxable income, just like a regular job, and MPPs receive a T4 slip each year.
Even at just the base level, that’s higher than the average Ontario salary — which the Ontario government estimated to be around $58,800 in 2024. That means MPPs make more than double what many full-time workers do in the province.
Extra Pay for Extra Work
Most MPPs don’t just sit in the legislature. Some take on additional responsibilities, and those roles come with additional pay.
Here’s how that works:
1. Speaker of the Legislature
The Speaker runs the legislative chamber and ensures debates follow the rules. Because this is a full-time leadership role, the Speaker earns extra compensation on top of base salary.
2. Cabinet Ministers
When an MPP becomes a Minister (e.g., Minister of Health, Minister of Finance), they receive a significant allowance in addition to base pay for leading a ministry. Ministers are responsible for large budgets and hundreds of staff, which justifies the bump.
3. Committee Chairs and Critic Roles
MPPs chair committees, or serve as critics for opposition parties. These positions sometimes come with modest additional pay, depending on the duty level.
How Much Extra Can That Be?
While the exact numbers can change with each review cycle, a cabinet minister’s total compensation can exceed $160,000/year once premiums are added. Other leadership roles add smaller percentages but still meaningful amounts compared to base salary.
Benefits, Pension, and Other Perks
Ontario MPPs also receive a benefit package and pension plan that’s structured similarly to many public-sector plans.
Health and Dental
MPPs qualify for a benefits program that covers standard health care, dental, vision, and prescription medications. These benefits are partly paid by taxpayers, just like benefits for many public-sector workers.
Pension Plan
MPPs contribute to and receive a pension through the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan. The terms are generally generous compared to a private-sector group RRSP, with benefits based on years served and salary.
Staff and Office Support
Unlike most jobs where you pay for stationery and assistants, MPPs get:
- A constituency office
- Staff to handle casework
- Budget for travel, communications, and operations in their riding
Those aren’t “personal perks” — they’re meant to help MPPs do their jobs effectively.
But yes, they do reduce the day-to-day costs an MPP would otherwise bear.
How Does This Compare to Other Public Sector Roles?
It helps to put an MPP’s pay in context.
For comparison:
- Ontario school principals earn around $110,000–$130,000 depending on experience and district.
- Ontario physicians can earn over $300,000 depending on specialization.
- Federal MPs in Canada have a base salary around $190,000 (higher than provincial).
So:
- MPPs are paid more than many provincial professionals (e.g., teachers, nurses).
- They’re paid less than many experienced doctors or large-organization executives.
- Their compensation is lower than that of federal MPs, reflecting provincial scope.
A Closer Look at Public Perception
You may have seen headlines pointing out MPP pay raises. Here’s the thing: the Independent Office for Legislative Compensation updates pay every few years based on changes in average earnings and cost of living. That’s meant to keep pace with the broader economy rather than be a partisan decision.
Still, there’s an ongoing public debate:
Should politicians earn more to attract talent?
Or should pay be closer to average incomes to reflect public service ideals?
There’s no single “right” answer, but understanding the actual numbers helps ground that discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do MPPs get bonuses?
No traditional bonuses like a corporate job. But extra roles (minister, speaker) carry ongoing allowances.
Q: Can an MPP have another job?
Ethically, MPPs should avoid frequent outside employment that conflicts with their duties. They file annual disclosures to maintain transparency.
Q: Do they get paid if the legislature isn’t sitting?
Yes. An MPP’s salary isn’t hourly. They’re paid yearly, even when the legislature isn’t in session. Their duties continue outside sitting times.
Final Thoughts
An Ontario MPP’s income is structured to reflect the complexity and demand of public service. Here’s the simplified bottom line:
- Base salary: ~$127,200/year
- Extra duties: bump total compensation higher (often well over $150,000)
- Benefits & pension: similar to public-sector norms
Knowing what MPPs earn helps you evaluate policy debates about compensation, talent recruitment, and public service expectations.
If you’re curious about other public roles and how compensation works (like school board officials or federal MPs), I can break those down too — just ask!
Want to explore more about public salaries in Canada? Check out related public pay insights to understand trends across the public sector and how these roles compare.