Justin Trudeau will soon receive two pensions worth millions of dollars. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) estimates that the former Prime Minister, now 53, will get lifetime pensions totaling over $8.4 million. In two years, Trudeau will start getting his first pension of about $141,000 per year for his time as a Member of Parliament.
This pension alone could reach around $6.5 million if he lives to age 90. Trudeau will also receive a second pension of $73,000 annually starting at age 67 for his time as Prime Minister, potentially adding another $1.9 million. When he left federal politics, he got a $104,900 departure allowance this year.
The dual-pension setup has drawn criticism. The CTF wants changes to the pension rules, saying a Prime Minister already getting a large pension should not get a second one paid by taxpayers. A prime minister already making millions from one pension has no reason to get a second one at taxpayers’ expense,” said Nicolas Gagnon, the organization’s Quebec director.
Trudeau is not the only one. The CTF says the 110 Members of Parliament who lost their seats or did not run in the 2025 election will collectively receive $5 million in annual pension payouts. If these former MPs live to 90, the total pension payouts could reach nearly $187 million.
For a full list of the amounts paid to former members of the Canadian parliament, visit the CTF website. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be eligible for over $8 million in total pensions and severance payments after leaving political office, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and as Prime Minister earlier this year and did not run in the 2025 federal election.
His severance payout will be $104,900, and if he lives to age 90, he will receive a total of $8.4 million in pension payments for his service as a member of Parliament and nearly a decade as Prime Minister. Franco Terrazzano, the federal director of the CTF, explained that the former Prime Minister would benefit from two separate pension plans due to his dual roles. “This is Canadian taxpayers’ money.
Canadians deserve to know how much politicians are making while in office and how much they’re getting when they leave office,” said Terrazzano. It’s the fundamental principle of transparency and accountability.”
Under Canadian parliamentary rules, politicians qualify for a pension after six years of service. However, the 29 MPs who lost their seats in the latest federal election but did not serve the required time will not get pensions, though they will receive severance pay.
The severance amount for MPs is $104,900, while it is $154,850 for cabinet ministers. Some notable pensioners include:
– Former Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who lost his seat but plans to run in a byelection, stands to earn $7 million in pension payments. – Former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who will collect $140,300 in severance and about $2.7 million in pension payments by age 90.
– Former Liberal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and former NDP MP Charlie Angus are entitled to several million dollars in pension payments. Terrazzano emphasized the need for reform in Ottawa regarding the high severance and pension payouts.
Taxpayer-funded pensions spark controversy
“We need a culture change in Ottawa,” he said. “The leadership has to start with the top. Future prime ministers should not be entitled to two pensions.”
The CTF’s disclosure has sparked discussions on the need for greater accountability and fiscal responsibility among Canadian politicians.
Terrazzano’s call to action highlights the difference between the generous pension schemes in the public sector and the often limited pension plans available to workers in the private sector. Madawaska-Restigouche MP René Arseneault is set to receive a large pension payout as he steps down from his role after nearly a decade of service. Arseneault, 58, will collect an annual pension starting at $56,000, amounting to about $2.5 million by the time he reaches 90.
Arseneault did not seek re-election after serving nine and a half years as a Member of Parliament. While he qualifies for the federal government pension, two other MPs from New Brunswick who also opted out of re-election—Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin and Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Jake Stewart—did not meet the eligibility requirements. Atwin missed the qualification mark by a few months and will instead receive a one-time severance payment of $104,900.
After three and a half years of service, Stewart will receive the same severance amount. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation recently released calculations reflecting the pension and severance arrangements for the 110 MPs who either lost their seats in the federal election or chose not to reoffer. According to their data, these members will accumulate about $5 million in annual pension payments, totaling approximately $187 million by age 90.
Additionally, around $6.6 million in severance cheques are expected to be issued. For pensionable service accrued before 2016, MPs with at least six years of service can start receiving their pension as early as age 55. However, changes in the rules mean that pensionable service accrued from 2016 onward will be fully paid out only at age 65.
MP contribution rates have also increased over the years, reaching 23.34% of pay as of 2021. The pensions and severance cheques vary depending on several factors, including years of service, roles held, and the prevailing pension rules during their terms. MPs earn a base salary of $194,600, with additional compensation for holding more demanding roles such as parliamentary secretary, a position Arseneault once held.
Beyond individual MPs, the federation noted that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to collect two pensions, totaling $8.4 million. Trudeau also qualifies for a $104,900 severance payout. His MP pension will commence at $141,000 annually when he turns 55, accumulating an estimated $6.5 million by age 90.
Additionally, his prime ministerial pension will start at $73,000 annually at age 67, amounting to $1.9 million by age 90. The federation’s analysis shows that 13 former MPs will receive more than $100,000 annually in pension income. Prince Edward Island MP Lawrence MacAulay, who served for 36 years under six prime ministers, will start receiving an annual pension of $171,000, totaling $2.1 million by age 90.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has served nearly 21 years as an MP at 45, will receive over $7 million in pension payouts by the time he reaches 90, starting at $136,000 annually. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has called for additional reforms to make politicians’ pay more affordable, particularly pointing out the issue of double pensions for former prime ministers. This detailed roundup highlights the significant pension and severance arrangements made for outgoing MPs, demonstrating the financial implications for individuals and taxpayers.
