OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Chair of the Board of Internal Economy, Francis Scarpaleggia, to accept member of Parliament Mike Dawson’s request to have an “open forum” on the upcoming politician pay raise.

“Dawson is showing true leadership for taxpayers and he’s doing the right thing by trying to stop his pay raise,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Canadians overwhelmingly stand with Dawson and Scarpaleggia must accept Dawson’s request for an open forum to allow politicians to refuse their raise.”

Dawson previously instructed officials to “make the necessary arrangements with the payroll and benefits administration” so he doesn’t receive the April 1 MP pay raise. So far, officials have not acted on his request.

Dawson has now filed an application to the board of internal economy to “convene a hearing” so he can reject the April 1 pay raise.

“Given the significant public interest at stake, it would be my preference for an oral hearing in an open forum,” Dawson wrote. Dawson also asked the government “to stay the implementation of any increase” to his pay until “this matter is completely and finally adjudicated.”

A Leger poll shows 78 per cent of Canadians support Dawson’s decision to refuse the pay raise. The Leger poll also shows that 80 per cent of Canadians oppose this year’s MP pay raise.

MPs take pay raises each year on April 1. A backbench MP’s salary is currently $209,800. A minister collects $309,700, while the prime minister takes home a $419,600 annual salary.

The federal government stopped the automatic MP pay raise from 2010 to 2013.

“It shouldn’t be rocket science for the government to stop a pay raise,” Terrazzano said. “It would take any other employer five minutes to figure out how to not give an employee a raise, so the board of internal economy can certainly find five minutes to listen to Dawson.

“Or better yet, Prime Minister Mark Carney should listen to Canadians and cancel the MP pay raise.”