All members of parliament, the prime minister, opposition party leaders, and ministers received a salary increase between $8,500 and $17,000 this year.

Parliamentary salary increases are adjusted every year on April 1 based on average wages from major private sector settlements, resulting in a 4.4% increase this year, according to statements by Matteo Gravel, Director of Media Relations and Press Relations at the Speaker's Office, in an email to CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

Gravel said that MP salary increases occur "automatically" under the Parliament of Canada Act.

The session allowance or base salary for all MPs as of April 1, 2024, is $203,100, up $8,500 from $194,600 last year, and MPs with special titles also receive additional pay.

The total salary of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this year is $406,200, an increase of $17,000 from $389,200 last year.

The total salaries of ministers rose to $299,900 this year, up $8,500 from $291,400 in 2023.

The opposition leader and Conservative Party leader Poilievre received a total salary of $299,900 this year, up $12,500 from $287,400 in 2023.

The total salary for New Democratic Party leader Singh and leaders of other parties rose by $11,300 to $271,700 this year from $260,400 in 2023.

Total salaries of senators rise to $178,100 in 2024, up $8,500 from $169,600 last year.

MPs who are not ministers in the cabinet nor opposition party leaders received $203,100 this year, up $8,500 from $194,600 in 2023.

Although increases are expected annually, the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Franco Terrazzano questions why all MPs' salaries were not frozen this year given Canadians struggling with rising inflation and the affordability crisis, saying that in response to the 2008-2009 recession, the federal government under then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper halted salary increases between 2010 and 2013, but since 2020 MPs have received salary increases.

Terrazzano added during an interview with CTVNews.ca, "Canadians were struggling during the coronavirus pandemic with everything shutting down and inflation soaring, and with the housing affordability crisis, seeing food banks, but none of that prevented MPs from giving themselves the expected annual raise while Canadian families struggle."

Accusing MPs of "stuffing their pockets with more money."

In response to criticism about the salary increase, the press secretary for the Government House Leader's Office Philip Alexander confirmed the information provided to CTVNews.ca.

Nelson Weizmann, an emeritus professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto, believes that the salaries of MPs, the prime minister, and ministers are not high at all given the demands of their jobs.

Weizmann said in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca: "I don't think it's outrageous," noting that he believes most professors, executives, and many other professionals earn more money than MPs. "Being an MP or even a senator is very difficult – most people don't realize that."

Confirming that "the issue of MPs' salary increases is 'overblown.'"

"I think a lot of the salaries these public employees receive. When you think about what they bear and the total budget of the Government of Canada, you're talking about a drop in the ocean."

A new survey commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation showed that 80 percent of Canadians are against an increase in MPs' salaries.

The results are based on an online survey of 1,541 Canadians, 18 years or older, using Leger's online panel, which includes more than 400,000 members. The survey was completed between March 15 and 18.