Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen and other members of Parliament from York Region will be donating their annual pay raise to organizations that serve the community.
All MPs, regardless of political party, received a legislated pay raise April 1, as mandated in Bill C-30. Their annual sessional allowance, which is their salary, is $194,600 as of April 1, up from $189,500 — an increase of $5,100.
York Region Federal Liberal Caucus members will each be donating their increase to various organizations in York Region, including Southlake Regional Health Centre, 360kids, CMHA York Region South Simcoe's MOBYSS bus, as well as other mental health organizations, women's shelters, and charities supporting seniors and newcomers.
"Affordability is at the top of all our minds. We know that York Region continues to work tirelessly to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and beyond. We hope our contributions will help ensure that we emerge stronger together from our current situations," the MPs said in a statement.
This tradition has been in place since 2020. Along with Van Bynen, MPs Mary Ng, Helena Jaczek, Paul Chiang, Francesco Sorbara, Majid Jowhari, and Leah Taylor Roy are all contributing.
The total amount donated could be anywhere from $18,750 to $37,500 depending on whether they choose to donate the increase amount before or after tax, Van Bynen said. He is choosing to donate the before tax amount of $5,100.
Salaries for MPs are adjusted annually based on the average percentage increase in a calendar year from major wage settlements. This year it is 2.68 per cent and Van Bynen said inflation this year is 6.8 per cent.
Regarding the legislation that mandates the increases, he said, "I believe this is a good process that reflects broadly what has been accepted as a fair compensation adjustment."
