Canadian Taxpayers Federation Federal Director, Franco Terrazzano, says, “Politicians don’t deserve a raise while millions of Canadians are struggling.”

The CTF says MPs give themselves pay raises each year on April 1st and estimates today’s pay raise will amount to an extra $6,200 for backbench MPs, $9,200 for ministers and $12,400 for the prime minister, based on contract data published by the federal government.

According to CTF estimates Monday’s pay raise means backbench MPs will receive a $209,300 annual salary, . A minister will collect $309,100 and the prime minister will take home $418,600.

Meanwhile, the alcohol escalator automatically increases excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits every year on April 1, without a vote in Parliament. Alcohol taxes will increase by two per cent which the CTF says based on Beer Canada estimates will cost taxpayers about $40 million this year.