According to the Sunshine List, last year, Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop earned $213,940. That was a jump of 29 per cent over the previous year
Ontario’s politicians are set to receive another taxpayer-funded pay increase this year, prompting renewed backlash from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) after last year’s sweeping salary hike and pension changes.
“Taxpayers are outraged that MPPs are taking yet another pay raise after taking a super-sized pay raise last year,” said Noah Jarvis, CTF Ontario Director. “It’s especially loathsome that provincial politicians are sticking their hands out for more when the government is saddling taxpayers with an additional $25.8 billion in debt.”
Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet are among those set for higher salaries under Ontario’s latest annual adjustment, with Ford’s pay rising to $292,752 and ministers’ compensation also climbing. Critics say the timing is hard to justify amid mounting provincial borrowing.
According to the Sunshine List, last year, Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop, who is also minister of emergency preparedness and response, earned $213,939.76. That was a jump of 29 per cent over the previous year when she made $165,851.
Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey, who is the province’s attorney general, earned $213,939.75 in 2025, which is a 29 per cent increase over 2024’s salary at $165,851.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, who’s also minister of red tape reduction, earned $213,939.76 in 2025, also up 29 per cent from $165,851 in 2024 when she was minister of environment, conservation and parks.
Parry Sound—Muskoka MPP and associate minister of municipal affairs Graydon Smith earned $185,449 last year, a 12 per cent increase over 2024.
MPPs will be taking a 3.8 per cent taxpayer-funded pay raise this year, between $5,925-$10,623. This would boost a backbench MPP’s salary to $163,275.
However, most MPPs serve in cabinet or special parliamentary roles that boost their pay.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s salary will rise to $292,752. The salary of Ford’s 28 cabinet ministers, which includes Dunlop, will rise to $232,340, while his eight associate ministers will draw a salary of $194,624.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles will take a $9,196 raise this year as leader of the official opposition, while interim Liberal Leader John Fraser will take an $8,040 raise.
The speaker of the house, committee chairs and deputy chairs, house leaders, and whip are all taking raises as well.
“Today’s pay raise comes after MPPs took a massive 35 per cent pay hike last year. MPPs also voted to give themselves a gold-plated pension plan, similar to federal MPs,” said a CTF news release.
MPPs tied their annual pay raises in coordination with pay raises federal MPs take every year.
Leger polling shows 86 per cent of decided Ontarians oppose MPPs taking another pay raise this year.
“MPPs are ignoring the people of Ontario and stuffing their pockets with more taxpayer cash,” Jarvis said. “Politicians need to remember that they’re elected to serve their constituents, not the other way around.”