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Home > The ABC of the National Assembly > The Office of MNA > Indemnities and Allowances

Indemnities and Allowances

Members of the National Assembly receive remuneration in the form of indemnities and various allowances:

Ridings Groups

For some of the following allowances, the amounts vary according to the group (1 to 5) to which the riding belongs, since Québec’s 125 ridings are divided into 5 groups based on their size.

For instance, the smaller urban ridings are in group 1, while the very large rural ridings are in group 4. The ridings of Duplessis and Ungava, which are exceptionally large, are in group 5.

Consult the list of riding groups (PDF, 82 KB, French only)

Basic Annual Indemnity

Under section 1 of the Act respecting the conditions of employment and the pension plan of the Members of the National Assembly, MNAs have, since April 1, 2023, received a basic annual indemnity of $101,561.

The annual indemnity is increased by the same percentage as the salaries of senior executive officers in the public service, as of the effective dates of the new salary scales.

Additional Indemnity for Parliamentary Office Holders

MNAs who hold parliamentary or ministerial office receive an additional indemnity that corresponds to a percentage of their basic annual indemnity.

If an MNA holds two or more positions for which an additional indemnity is granted, he or she is entitled only to the higher indemnity.

Table of additional indemnities since April 1, 2023

Table of additional indemnities
Parliamentary officePercentage of the basic indemnityAdditional indemnityTotal remuneration
Premier 105%  $106,639 $208,200
Minister (including the Government House Leader) 75% $76,171 $177,732
President of the National Assembly 75% $76,171 $177,732
Vice-President of the National Assembly 35% $35,546 $137,107
Leader of the Official Opposition 75% $76,171 $177,732
Leader of the Second Opposition Group 35% $35,546 $137,107
Leader of the Third Opposition Group 35% $35,546 $137,107
Official Opposition House Leader 35% $35,546 $137,107
House Leader of the Second Opposition Group 25% $25,390 $126,951
Chief Government Whip 35% $35,546 $137,107
Chief Official Opposition Whip 30% $30,468 $132,029
Whip of the Second Opposition Group 20% $20,312 $121,873
Deputy Government House Leader 25% $25,390 $126,951
Deputy Official Opposition House Leader 20% $20,312 $121,873
Deputy Government Whip 20% $20,312 $121,873
Government Caucus Chair 25% $25,390 $126,951
Parliamentary Assistant 20% $20,312 $121,873
Standing committee Chair 25% $25,390 $126,951
Standing committee Vice-Chair 20% $20,312 $121,873
Temporary Chair of a standing committee 15% $15,234 $116,795
Member of the Office of the National Assembly 15% $15,234 $116,795

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Annual Expense Allowance

MNAs receive an annual expense allowance for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including meal and accommodation expenses in their riding or outside Québec City, entertainment expenses, etc.

The allowance is adjusted on January 1 every year based on the Consumer Price Index for Canada established by Statistics Canada.

For the year 2023, each MNA receives an annual expense allowance equal to $20,256 after subtraction of the federal income tax. To that end, only the basic annual indemnity and, if applicable, the additional indemnity for parliamentary office holders are taken into account in calculating the MNA's income.

Attendance Allowance

MNAs who participate in a parliamentary committee are entitled to an attendance allowance of $125 for each day the committee meets during periods when the Assembly is not sitting.

MNAs who are members or substitute members of the Office of the National Assembly are entitled to an attendance allowance of $125 for each day the Office meets when the Assembly is not sitting, unless they participate in the meeting via a means that enables them to communicate remotely.

Transition Allowance

Under sections 12 to 18 of the Act respecting the conditions of employment and the pension plan of the Members of the National Assembly, Members who are defeated in an election, or who serve out their term as Members but are not candidates in the next election, are entitled to a transition allowance.

Members who resign during their term of office are also entitled to a transition allowance provided their resignation is due to a serious family matter or to a major health issue affecting them or a member of their immediate family. The Ethics Commissioner determines whether the conditions for receiving a transition allowance have been met. The amount paid to resigning Members who have obtained a favourable decision from the Ethics Commissioner must, however, be reduced by an amount equal to the employment, professional, business or retirement income the Members receive or are entitled to receive.

The transition allowance is equal to twice the Member's monthly salary (basic annual indemnity and, if applicable, additional indemnity) for each complete year of service as an MNA. They are also entitled to twice the portion of their monthly salary corresponding to any fraction of a year during which they were an MNA. However, in no case may the allowance be less than four times or more than 12 times the Member’s monthly salary.

The monthly salary is, as a rule, the higher of the following amounts:

  1. the average monthly salary received during the 12 months preceding the end of the MNA’s term or during each such month or part of a month if there were fewer than 12;
  2. the average monthly salary received during the 36 highest-paid months of all terms served as a Member, provided they were uninterrupted.

The transition allowance is paid out at the Member’s request as soon as the term ends, either in a lump sum or over a period of up to 36 months. If the Member so requests, any unpaid balance may be paid out in a lump sum.

If a person receiving a transition allowance becomes a Member once again, payment of the allowance ceases immediately.

Pension Plan

Under sections 19 and following of the Act respecting the conditions of employment and the pension plan of the Members of the National Assembly, MNAs are covered by a pension plan. A pamphlet entitled Le RRMAN – Le régime de retraite des membres de l’Assemblée nationale (in French only), published by Retraite Québec in January 2020, describes the main provisions of the pension plan.

Allowance for Travel in Ridings and Elsewhere in Québec

MNAs are entitled to a monthly allowance for travel expenses, including expenses for travel within their riding. The amount of the allowance varies according to the group to which the riding belongs.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the annual travel allowance for political activities in Québec is as follows, after subtraction of the federal income tax:

Allowance for Travel in Ridings and Elsewhere in Québec
Riding GroupMNA’s Annual allowance
1 $9,900
2 $16,100
3 $21,700
4 $21,700
5 $24,600

To that end, only the basic annual indemnity, the annual expense allowance and, if applicable, the additional indemnity for parliamentary office holders are taken into account in calculating the MNA's income.

Additional Allowance

Due to certain constraints and characteristics unique to their ridings, the Members for Berthier, Duplessis and Ungava are also entitled to an additional allowance, which is paid on presentation of vouchers for actual costs incurred for travel within their riding. This allowance enables them to visit communities that are difficult or impossible to reach by land.

The additional allowance is

  • $1,500 for the Member for Berthier
  • $15,300 for the Member for Duplessis
  • $24,200 for the Member for Ungava

Reimbursement of Travel Expenses

Reimbursement of Expenses for Travel Between a Riding and the Parliament Building

On presentation of vouchers, the National Assembly reimburses the expenses incurred by MNAs for travel between their riding office and the Parliament Building.

MNAs who travel by plane, bus or train are entitled to be reimbursed for the cost of an economy class ticket as well as related costs.

MNAs who travel by car are entitled to an allowance equal to $0.59 per kilometre between their riding office and the Parliament Building.

Number of Trips Reimbursed

MNAs are entitled to a maximum of 60 return trips per fiscal year between their riding and the Parliament Building.

MNAs who hold the offices listed below are entitled to 10 additional return trips per fiscal year:

  • Vice-President of the National Assembly
  • Official Opposition House Leader or House Leader of the Second Opposition Group
  • Government or Official Opposition Deputy House Leader
  • Chief Government Whip, Chief Whip of the Official Opposition or Whip of the Second Opposition Group
  • Deputy Government Whip
  • Government Caucus Chair
  • National Assembly standing committee Chair or Vice-Chair
  • Member of the Office of the National Assembly

MNAs representing ridings that are completely or partially included in the territory of Québec City or are adjacent to it are not entitled to be reimbursed for their expenses for travel between their riding and the Parliament Building.

MNAs are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses between their riding and the Parliament Building that are incurred by their spouse, dependent children or a caregiver (to look after the children or spouse). In the last case, if a caregiver is looking after the children, the spouse must not already be accompanying them. The expenses are applied to the maximum number of trips the MNA is entitled to (60 or 70 trips), from which one trip is deducted for each person who makes a return trip. In the case of an MNA who is a member of the Conseil exécutif or who uses a mode of transportation provided by the Assembly, the maximum number of trips that may be made by family members or by a caregiver is set at fifteen (15). In all cases, trips must be made to accompany or visit an MNA while the MNA is performing his or her duties.

MNAs are entitled to be reimbursed, on presentation of vouchers, for travel and accommodation expenses for two trips per year within Québec to attend a caucus of their political party’s parliamentary wing. The travel and accommodation expenses for such trips may not exceed $150 per day, for a maximum of $300 per caucus. These trips are deducted from the maximum number of trips to which MNAs are entitled.

Travel by the Leader of the Official Opposition

If the Leader of the Official Opposition does not use the mode of transportation provided by the Assembly, he or she is entitled to be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses incurred for trips made within Québec in the performance of his or her duties. The Leader of the Official Opposition may use a chartered mode of transportation, costing up to a maximum of $40,000 per fiscal year.

The Leader of the Official Opposition is also entitled, on presentation of vouchers, to be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses incurred for trips outside Québec in the performance of his or her duties, up to a maximum of $25,000 per year.

Travel by the Leader of the Second Opposition Group and by the Leader of the Third Opposition Group

When the Leader of the Second Opposition Group or the Leader of the Third Opposition Group does not use the mode of transportation made available by the Assembly, he or she is entitled to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $6,540 for travel expenses incurred for trips made within Québec or elsewhere in the performance of his or her duties, as well as to be reimbursed for accommodation expenses. He or she may use a chartered mode of transportation, costing up to a maximum of $25,000 per fiscal year.

Reimbursement of Accommodation Expenses in Québec City

MNAs are entitled to be reimbursed for the expenses they incur for lodgings in Québec City or the immediate vicinity provided their principal residence is located outside the territory of Québec City and the ridings adjacent to it or, in the case of the MNA whose main residence is in the riding of Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré, more than 50 kilometres from the Parliament Building by the shortest road.

MNAs whose main residence is located within the territory of Québec City or the ridings adjacent to it and MNAs whose main residence is in the riding of Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré at a distance of 50 kilometres or less from the Parliament Building by the shortest road are entitled to be reimbursed for the expenses they incur for lodgings in their riding, unless they represent a riding within the territory of Québec City or in its immediate vicinity.

The ridings that are completely or partially included in the territory of Québec City or are adjacent to it are those of Charlesbourg, Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré, Chauveau, Jean-Lesage, Jean-Talon, La Peltrie, Louis-Hébert, Montmorency, Taschereau and Vanier-Les Rivières, and “immediate vicinity” means the ridings of Chauveau, La Peltrie and Montmorency and the parts of the riding of Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré that are 50 kilometres or less from the Parliament Building by the shortest road.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 accommodation expenses are reimbursed up to $17,800.

The reimbursement covers

  • the cost of renting a room in a hotel
    or
  • rent for a dwelling
    or
  • the amount of the rental value of a secondary residence owned by the MNA or the MNA’s spouse

The reimbursement also covers

  • the rental value certificate
  • telephone service
  • housekeeping service
  • parking
  • electricity
  • fire, theft and liability insurance
  • cable television
  • monthly Internet fees

MNAs who hold the following offices are entitled to an additional amount of $3,000 annually as reimbursement for their accommodation expenses:

  • President of the National Assembly
  • Premier
  • Leader of an opposition group
  • Government House Leader, Official Opposition House Leader or House Leader of the Second Opposition Group
  • Chief Government Whip, Chief Whip of the Official Opposition or Whip of the Second Opposition Group
  • Government Caucus Chair

Riding Office Operating Budget

The amount allocated annually to each MNA for the rental and operation of a riding office varies according to the group to which the riding belongs. For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the operating budgets are as follows:

Riding Office Operating Budget
Riding GroupAnnual Allowance
1 $71,600
2 $58,600
3 $64,300
4 $64,300
5 $61,100

A Member whose riding belongs to group 3, 4 or 5 and who rents a second or third riding office is entitled to an additional amount for the operation of those offices.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the amounts allocated are $7,800 for a second office and, $5,100 for a third office.

An additional amount of up to $3,500 is allocated where rent and premises costs for the riding office represent over 45% of the operating budget.

Consult the list of riding groups (PDF, 82 KB, French only)

Since Ungava is a very large riding, the Member for Ungava is entitled to an additional amount of $143,400 to open offices in the communities of the Member’s choice, hire resources to serve those communities or travel more extensively to visit them. If the Member for Ungava is a member of the Conseil exécutif, the additional amount is set at $60,700, as the rules do not allow using this amount to hire resources.

The Government Caucus Chair and Chair of the Official Opposition Caucus are each entitled to an additional operating budget of $13,800.

In addition to rent, MNAs may be reimbursed for the cost of

  • stationery and office supplies
  • purchase of or subscription to newspapers and specialized databases
  • postal and messenger services
  • purchase or rental of photocopiers, fax machines, furniture, office equipment, decorative accessories and works of art
  • GPS receivers, pagers and answering machines
  • purchase and use of a cell phone
  • purchase, installation, use and maintenance of an alarm system
  • fire, theft, vandalism and civil liability insurance
  • electricity and heating
  • regular bank fees
  • rental taxes
  • moving and setting up
  • parking and snow removal
  • hospitality, receptions and meetings
  • rental of a room in the riding
  • advertising required for the operation of the riding office
  • publication of informative or opinion texts or printing and distribution of bulk mail
  • setting up and updating a website or blog
  • expenses for fighting climate change and for environmentally responsible management.

First-term MNAs receive an additional allowance of $4,000 for the purchase of office furniture and equipment. This allowance is renewed when an MNA serves three consecutive terms and when it has been at least 10 years since the $4,000 was paid.

MNAs also have an $8,000 budget per legislature dedicated to the accessibility of their riding office. This budget allows them to make leasehold improvements and to acquire equipment intended to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Property acquired using MNA allowances remains the property of the Assembly and is recorded in the inventory register of each MNA. MNAs must return the property to the Assembly when they leave office.

Training Expenses

MNAs are entitled to be reimbursed for fees and educational material for second-language training or intensive immersion programs in Canada or the northeastern United States, to a maximum of $1,500 per year.

Members' Budget for Payroll Expenses

Each MNA is granted a basic budget to cover payroll expenses. MNAs who represent group 3, 4 or 5 ridings as well as standing committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs and Caucus Chairs are granted an additional amount. 

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the allowance is as follows:

Members' Budget for Payroll Expenses
Riding GroupTotal Payroll
1 $237,590
2 $237,590
3 $254,735
4 $292,666
5 $292,666
  • $6,391 for each standing committee Chair
  • $3,833 for each standing committee Vice-Chair
  • $112,766 each for the Government Caucus Chair and Official Opposition Caucus Chair

 MNA Staff Travel Expenses

The annual allowance to reimburse MNA staff travel expenses varies according to the group to which the riding belongs. For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the allowance is as follows:

MNA Staff Travel Expenses
Riding Group 
1 $3,842
2 $5,618
3 $9,964
4 $13,785
5 $13,785

Reimbursable expenses include meal and travel expenses and hotel accommodation.

The travel expenses of House officers’ staff are paid out of the budgets of the National Assembly.

House Officers’ Budget for Payroll Expenses 

As with other Members, House officers have a budget for payroll expenses. This is used by each House officer to pay his or her riding and parliamentary staff.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the budgets for the payroll expenses of House officers are as follows:

House Officers' Budget for Payroll Expenses
Budget for Payroll Expenses
President of the National Assembly $1,074,823
Vice-President of the National Assembly $445,151
Leader of the Official Opposition $2,144,225
Leader of the Second Opposition Group $1,155,965
Leader of the Third Opposition Group $634,590
Government House Leader $1,272,986
Official Opposition House Leader $763,609
House Leader of the Second Opposition Group $460,778
Chief Government Whip $1,170,923
Chief Official Opposition Whip $961,075
Whip of the Second Opposition Group $424,246

House Office Operating Budget

Each House officer also has a budget to cover his or her Parliament Building office expenses.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, these budgets are as follows:

House Officers' Budget for Payroll Expenses
House Office Operating Budget
President of the National Assembly $127,400
Vice-President of the National Assembly $20,200
Leader of the Official Opposition $271,100
Leader of the Second Opposition Group $69,100
Leader of the Third Opposition Group $17,000
Government House Leader $58,500
Official Opposition House Leader $33,500
House Leader of the Second Opposition Group $10,600
Chief Government Whip $182,600
Chief Official Opposition Whip $183,200
Whip of the Second Opposition Group $15,900

Budgets Allocated to Political Parties for Research and Support

Under section 108 of the Act respecting the National Assembly, each party represented in the Assembly following the most recent general election and each independent Member receives an amount for research and support. This amount is used to pay staff and research service operating expenses.

For the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the amounts granted to the political parties represented in the National Assembly and the independent Members who applied for such amounts were as follows:

Budgets Allocated to Political Parties for Research and Support
Budgets Allocated for Research and Support
Coalition avenir Québec $1,165,119
Parti libéral du Québec $802,364
Québec solidaire $556,192
Parti québécois $157,280
Independent Member for Vaudreuil $26,955
 
 

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