Quebec premier says raising politicians salaries by $30K requires “courage”

SHERBROOKE, Que. — Quebec Premier François Legault says courage was necessary to propose raising the salaries of provincial politicians by $30,000.

Legault made the comments today as the Coalition Avenir Québec’s party convention got underway in Sherbrooke, Que., about 150 kilometres east of Montreal.

His government tabled a bill this week that would raise the base pay for elected officials from $101,561 to $131,766, making it the highest among Canadian provincial politicians.

The governing party’s caucus is unanimous in supporting this considerable increase, which was recommended by a committee earlier this year so as to attract strong candidates.