Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has turned down severance pay that is available to members of Parliament who lose their seats.
Poilievre lost his Carleton riding in Ottawa in the recent federal election, which he had held for 20 years. He is now planning to run for the Alberta seat of Battle River-Crowfoot, after Conservative MP Damien Kurek offered to step down so Poilievre could run in a byelection in the riding.
Poilievre’s MP salary was $209,800, according to parliamentary data. He is also entitled to $99,900 as leader of the Official Opposition.
House rules mean Poilievre is entitled to 50 percent of his MP salary, which would be around $150,000.
“Former Members who are not eligible for an immediate pension may be entitled to a severance allowance equal to 50 percent of the sessional allowance and any additional annual salary payable to Members occupying certain offices (such as that of a Minister, House Leader, Whip, or Parliamentary Secretary),” the House of Commons website says.
However, Poilievre will not be taking the severance pay, the Globe and Mail reported.
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Conservative Party communications director Sarah Fischer said Poilievre will be declining the payment as he expects to have the Alberta seat in the House secured by summer.
Turning down the severance was the right move for the Conservative leader, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).
“Poilievre is right to turn down his severance and save taxpayers money,” CTF told The Epoch Times in an email. It said the politician is “showing leadership” for taxpayers.
“All parties and all politicians should push to make MP and government bureaucrat pay more affordable for taxpayers.”
Former Conservative leader and re-elected MP Andrew Scheer is acting as interim Opposition Leader in the House of Commons until Poilievre is able to get re-elected and resume his role as leader of the Official Opposition once he has a seat in the House.
Poilievre has thanked Kurek for stepping aside, calling it a selfless act. He said he looks forward to representing the constituency.
Kurek has been an MP since 2019 and will not qualify for a pension upon stepping down. MPs are required to serve for six years before they qualify.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will call a byelection for the Alberta riding quickly.
“I will ensure that it happens as soon as possible,” he told reporters at a May 2 news conference, adding that there would be “no games” and that he had informed Poilievre directly of his decision.
