Ontario MPPs set for 35% pay increase, ending 16-year salary freeze [Video]

Provincial politicians in Ontario are set to get a 35 per cent pay raise and a new pension plan in a move supported by all parties after a 16-year salary freeze for members at Queen’s Park.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled legislation to bring MPP salaries to 75 per cent of their colleagues on Parliament Hill.

Previously, an Ontario MPP earned $116,550 per year. In order to bring them to 75 per cent of a federal MP’s $209,800 salary, they will now earn $157,250. Cabinet ministers will take home $223,909 per year.

Bethlenfalvy said the move was necessary to attract “quality candidates” to run for the provincial legislature and was a “mark of respect for all elected public servants.”

Later, he told reporters it was “right and fair” to make the change.

“MPPs are people too, they have to pay groceries, they have to pay rent, (spend) time …