Friday, July 31, 2026

 

 

Alberta MLAs paid more than most provincial and state politicians

 

LETHBRIDGE, AB: Alberta provincial politicians are among the highest paid out of all provinces and states in North America, according to a new report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“Alberta MLAs are getting paid more than most politicians, but taxpayers aren’t getting top-notch results,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “Giving bigger paycheques to politicians doesn’t lead to better outcomes for taxpayers.”

The median Canadian provincial politician made more than twice the salary of the median American state representative at $113,637 and $45,002 respectively, according to the report.

Alberta MLAs got paid $123,838, in 2025, the third highest salary among Canada’s provincial politicians and the seventh highest salary of subnational politicians across Canada and the United States.

“In Colorado, which is almost the same size as Alberta, state politicians are paid about $66,000 CAD and people in that state are richer than they are here,” said Sims.

The average Albertan is poorer than the average American in 19 states, according to per capita GDP statistics calculated by economist Trevor Tombe. Alberta MLAs are paid more than politicians in 46 American states.

“Alberta politicians take double the pay of their average American counterparts while Albertans fight to afford things like fuel, food and homes,” Sims said. “Bigger salaries for politicians don’t translate into people being better off and richer in their province.”

To view the CTF’s full Subnational Politician Pay report, click HERE.