Canadian MPs spent a record $187.8M in 2024, with travel, staff salaries, and hospitality costs soaring. See which MPs and parties topped the spending charts.
Canadian MPs Set New Spending Record in 2024
A Year of Unprecedented Parliamentary Expenses
Canadian taxpayers footed a record $187.8 million bill for Members of Parliament in 2024, marking a $12.7 million jump from the previous year. The latest expenditure disclosures reveal significant increases across travel, staff salaries, and third-party contracts-raising questions about oversight and the evolving expectations of MPs.
Where Did the Money Go?
Of the total spent, $114.1 million covered staff salaries, $39.8 million went to third-party contracts, and $1.9 million was used for hospitality. Travel alone accounted for $32 million, reflecting both the size of Canada and the growing demands on MPs’ time and presence in their constituencies.
Who Were the Biggest Spenders?
On average, each MP spent $547,000 in 2024. Only 10 MPs surpassed the $700,000 mark, representing all major parties. The top spender was former Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud, who racked up $775,000 in expenses-including an unmatched $328,000 on travel. Michaud’s travel budget even exceeded that of Nunavut’s Lori Idlout, despite Idlout representing some of the country’s most remote communities.
B.C. Conservative Frank Caputo and Alberta’s Mike Lake followed closely behind, with expenses of $769,000 and $745,000, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, Liberal Yves Robillard emerged as the most frugal, spending just under $378,000.
Party Spending: NDP Leads the Pack
When broken down by party, NDP MPs led in average spending at $583,000 each, followed by Bloc Québécois, Greens, Conservatives, and Liberals. While Liberals and Conservatives receive additional federal resources as the governing party and official opposition, MPs from smaller parties often face higher individual costs.
Expense Categories: Salaries, Hospitality, and Contracts
Mike Lake topped the list for staff salaries, spending nearly $486,000-over $200,000 above the national average. Hospitality expenses were led by Liberal minister Dominic LeBlanc, who spent almost $16,000 on meetings and meals, far surpassing his peers. Bloc Québécois MP Mario Beaulieu led in third-party contract spending, expensing nearly $273,000 for advertising and office needs.
MPs from remote and northern ridings, not surprisingly, also saw higher travel costs. When travel was excluded, Toronto Liberal James Maloney emerged as the top spender, with Caputo and Lake still ranking among the highest.
Party Leaders’ Budgets in the Spotlight
The figures do not include the larger budgets of party leaders and house officers, which would add another $24.5 million to the total. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre led this group, with $8.8 million in total spending, most of it allocated to staff salaries in his role as opposition leader. His personal MP and constituency expenses, however, were among the lowest in Canada.
What’s Driving the Increase?
Experts point to changing norms and rising expectations for MPs as key factors behind the spending surge. Kathy Brock, professor emerita at Queen’s University, notes that MPs are more active in research and advocacy, which drives up office and travel costs. Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch highlights ongoing concerns about transparency, with internal spending rules enforced behind closed doors and gaps in hospitality receipt requirements.
As MPs’ roles evolve and costs continue to rise, calls for greater transparency and oversight are likely to grow. For now, taxpayers are left to foot a record-setting bill-while the debate over accountability in Parliament continues.
