Canadian provincial politicians were paid substantially larger salaries than American state representatives in 2025, according to a new report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“Manitoba MLAs are among the highest-paid politicians in North America and they’re not delivering better results,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Giving bigger paycheques to politicians doesn’t lead to better outcomes for taxpayers.”

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

Manitoba MLAs earn a base salary of $112,273. That’s more than double the median American state representative. Backbench MLAs took a 2.8 per cent or $3,005 raise last year.

Manitoba’s top combined marginal tax rate is higher than rates in all American states.

While MLAs are paid significantly more than most of their American peers, the province’s economy is not keeping pace. Manitoba’s GDP per capita is lower than all American states but Mississippi.

“Manitoba politicians take double the pay of their average American counterparts while hitting families with higher taxes and less economic prosperity,” Haubrich said. “Manitobans pay some of the highest taxes in North America and deserve politicians focused on lowering their bills and delivering for taxpayers, not padding their own paycheques.”

View the CTF’s full Subnational Politician Pay Report HERE.