Governor General Mary Simon's pay just got bumped to $362,800 and Canadians are furious
Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon has received another hefty pay raise, and Canadians are exasperated.
The numbers were released in a report on Friday from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a non-profit organization dedicated to lowering taxes.
According to the CTF’s investigation, Governor General Simon has received an $11,200 pay bump so far this year. This is her third raise since being appointed to the role in 2021, driving her salary in 2024 up to $362,800.
The CTF confirmed the salary and raise with Canada’s Privy Council Office.
Daily Hive has also reached out to the office for confirmation.
“Canadians are struggling to afford a jug of milk or a package of ground beef, so the government shouldn’t be rubber-stamping another raise for the governor-general,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF’s federal director.
“Can the government show Canadians how they’re getting more value because the governor general’s paycheque just went up a thousand dollars a month?”
The organization found that the governor general’s salary has increased by $60,000 (20%) since 2019.
Canada Taxpayers Federation
Not only does her pay continue to go up, but the CTF notes that the governor general also gets a variety of perks, including a taxpayer-funded mansion, a platinum pension, a generous retirement allowance, a clothing budget, paid dry cleaning services, and travel expenses.
Former governors general are also eligible for a full pension of about $150,000 a year, regardless of how long they serve in office.
Canadians shared their frustrations online.
“That’s just her salary. It doesn’t include her spending budget, her residence, driver. The whole position is a waste of tax dollars,” reads one comment on a post in the subreddit r/Canada.
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“Jesus Christ, while the average Canadian struggles to put food on the table,” added another.
Last year, Canadians were outraged to discover that Simon received an increase in pay of $9,500. The governor general also caused an uproar over a $71,000 limo bill in 2022, among other travel expenses.
A parliamentary committee recommended changes last October in attempts to cut back on the governor general’s travel budget.
“The platinum pay and perks for the governor-general should have been reined in years ago,” said Terrazzano.
“A serious government would mandate the governor general’s office be subject to access-to-information requests, cut all international travel except for meetings with the monarchy, end the expense account for former governors general, reform the pension, and scrap the clothing allowance.”
What do you think about this pay raise?
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