Conservative Member of Parliament Mike Dawson has sparked controversy on Parliament Hill by declaring he will refuse an automatic pay increase of approximately $10,000 scheduled to take effect in April. The Miramichi-Grand Lake MP reportedly faced heckling from fellow Conservatives during a caucus meeting over his principled stance.
Automatic Pay Raise Amid Economic Hardship
The salary adjustment, which boosts backbench MP compensation from $209,000 annually, is determined by several criteria including private sector wage trends. Dawson has characterized the automatic increase as disconnected from economic reality, particularly given ongoing struggles faced by many Canadians.
"At a time when everyday Canadians are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, I cannot in good conscience accept the pay increase of nearly $10,000," Dawson wrote in a letter to the Clerk of the House of Commons.
Financial Context and Constituent Concerns
The $10,000 increase represents a 4.8% raise on the base MP salary, more than double the 2.1% annual average Consumer Price Index increase recorded in 2025. Dawson, who operated a drywall and painting business before his election in April's general election, emphasized his understanding of what $209,000 represents to average working people.
"It's an automatic raise that isn't based on reality," Dawson noted, pointing out that the calculation doesn't account for those who have lost employment or are currently seeking work.
Political Backlash and Procedural Limitations
Some Conservative colleagues have accused Dawson of political showboating, noting there's no formal mechanism for individual MPs to refuse the salary adjustment. At most, Dawson could donate the additional $10,000 to charitable causes.
The situation has exposed tensions within Conservative ranks, with Party Whip Chris Warkentin choosing to publicly chastise Dawson for his decision. This comes amid broader instability within the party, following two recent defections to the Liberal benches.
A Firm Conservative Stance
Dawson quickly dispelled any speculation about potential party switching, declaring emphatically: "I'm a Conservative, not a traitor." His background as a small business owner before entering politics appears to inform his perspective on economic matters affecting constituents.
Observers note that Dawson's position reflects a deeper connection with working-class concerns than demonstrated by some parliamentary colleagues. His willingness to challenge automatic entitlement systems, even within his own party, underscores growing tensions between political compensation and public economic realities.
