OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to reverse Governor General Mary Simon’s pay hike following a Leger poll that shows most Canadians support cutting the position’s salary.

“The results of the poll are crystal clear: Canadians want the federal government to reduce the governor general’s salary,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “The governor general was already costing taxpayers too much money and Simon’s latest pay raise is almost enough to cover a Canadian family’s entire grocery bill for a year.

“Canadians don’t need to pay someone nearly $400,000 a year for a completely ceremonial position.”

Simon is taking a $15,800 pay raise this year. The governor general’s annual salary is now 393,800.

The Leger poll asked Canadians what should happen to the governor general’s salary. Results of the poll show:

• 59 per cent said reduce the governor general’s salary
• 22 per cent said maintain the current salary
• Five per cent said increase the salary
• 14 per cent don’t know

Among those decided on the issue, 68 per cent of Canadians say the government should reduce the governor general’s salary.

In addition to annual salary increases, the governor general can bill taxpayers up to $130,000 for clothing during their five-year term, take a pension of about $150,000 per year and can bill taxpayers up to $200,000 annually after leaving office.

“The governor general’s platinum pay and perks should’ve been reined in a long time ago and this poll shows that Canadians think Simon’s salary is costing them too much money,” Terrazzano said. “Carney told Canadians to brace for ‘sacrifices’ so he needs to make sure government employees are tightening their belts too.”