OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is planning to go to court to support member of Parliament Mike Dawson’s Federal Court application to stop the government from forcing him to take the annual MP pay raise.

“Dawson is fighting for taxpayers in Parliament and he’s right to continue that fight in court,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Instead of wasting more tax dollars fighting Dawson in court, the government should do the simple thing and let MPs turn down a pay raise.”

MPs took their 14^th consecutive annual pay raise on April 1.

Dawson publicly opposed this year’s pay raise.

“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 which every member of Parliament is set to receive,” Dawson said.

Dawson has now filed an application in Federal Court to strike down the government’s requirement for him to take the annual MP pay raise. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is seeking leave to intervene in this court case to ensure the voice of taxpayers are heard.

A backbench MP’s salary is now $217,700. A minister collects $321,300 and the prime minister takes home a $435,400 annual salary.

Leger polling shows 78 per cent of Canadians support Dawson’s decision to reject the MP pay raise.

“It would take any other employer less than five minutes to figure out how to not give an employee a raise, so it shouldn’t be like pulling teeth for an MP to do the right thing and turn down a raise,” Terrazzano said. “Canadians are overwhelmingly on Dawson’s side and the CTF is going to make sure their voice is heard in court.”