Ontario MPPs to receive 35 percent salary increase and reinstated pension plan

Ontario's Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are set to receive a significant salary increase and regain access to a pension plan, marking the end of a 16-year salary freeze. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy introduced legislation on May 29, 2025, proposing a 35 percent pay raise for MPPs, aligning their base salary with 75 percent of that of federal Members of Parliament (MPs).

Salary adjustments

Under the new legislation, the base salary for MPPs will increase from $116,550 to $157,350. Premier Doug Ford's salary will rise from approximately $208,974 to $282,129, while cabinet ministers will see their pay increase from about $165,851 to $223,909.

The Leader of the Official Opposition will now be paid $244,207, up from $180,866. These changes are retroactive to the date of the 2025 Ontario election.

Pension plan reinstatement

The legislation also proposes the reinstatement of a pension plan for MPPs, which was abolished in 1995 by then-Premier Mike Harris. Under the new plan, MPPs will join the existing Ontario Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) and will be eligible for supplemental benefits after serving at least six years. This move aims to attract qualified individuals to serve in the provincial legislature.

Legislative support

The proposed changes have received support from all parties in the legislature. NDP representative John Vanthof emphasized the importance of offering competitive compensation to attract qualified candidates, stating, "When we’re looking for other candidates, qualified people to actually direct the future of this province, for most of them, they have to take a huge pay cut to come here.”

The legislation is expected to add $6 million in payroll costs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, representing 0.06 percent of the total compensation awarded to Ontario’s public servants.