A federal Conservative member of Parliament says he will not accept his scheduled annual pay increase, citing concerns about affordability and the economic pressures facing many Canadians.
Mike Dawson, the MP for Miramichi—Grand Lake, has written to the clerk of the House of Commons requesting that his salary be frozen ahead of an automatic adjustment set to take effect in April. Under current legislation, MP salaries rise each year according to a formula tied to private‑sector wage settlements, which this year amounts to an estimated increase of about $8,000 on top of the roughly $210,000 base salary.
In a letter shared publicly, Dawson said he could not “in good conscience accept a wage increase” at a time when Canadians are struggling with rising costs for essentials such as food and housing. He described the upcoming raise as “distasteful” given the financial strain many households are experiencing.
His stance has drawn attention within the Conservative caucus. Reports indicate that at a recent caucus meeting, party whip Chris Warkentin addressed the issue, noting that the annual pay adjustments are mandated by law and cannot be declined outright. Some MPs reportedly expressed discomfort with the situation, and Dawson attempted to explain his position before leaving the meeting following comments from colleagues.
The Parliament of Canada Act sets out the pay‑increase formula, meaning MPs who wish to forgo the raise must do so through other means — such as donating the additional amount — since the adjustment is applied automatically.
Dawson’s decision has been noted by advocacy groups focused on government spending, some of which have praised the move as a symbolic gesture of restraint. At the same time, political observers are watching how the discussion around elected officials’ compensation intersects with broader public concerns about inflation, wage growth, and economic affordability.
We’ve reached out to North Island MP Aaron Gunn asking if he will join his colleague in refusing the automatic pay raise. We will update once we hear back from his office. If you want to contact Mr. Gunn to follow up on this question, his contact information is below.
Aaron Gunn
Campell River Office 250-434-0300
Powell River Office 604-764-9061
Ottawa Office 613-992-2503
