Leger poll finds 49% of Canadians want Governor General's budget cut

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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling for Prime Minister Mark Carney to cut the governor general’s multi-million-dollar budget following new polling from Leger.

“Nearly half of Canadians believe the governor general’s budget is too big and should be reduced,” Nicolas Gagnon, Quebec director for the CTF, said in a statement.

“When families are struggling with rising prices, it’s wrong to rubberstamp budget increases for a completely ceremonial office.”

According to its latest annual report, not only did the governor general’s office spend $36 million in 2023-24, the position receives a $378,000 salary, a taxpayer-funded clothing allowance, a lifetime pension of about $150,000 annually and a $200,000 annual expense account after leaving office.

The Leger poll found that 49% want to reduce the Governor General’s budget, 19% would keep it the same, 13% want to increase it and 19% are unsure.

Among those with an opinion, nearly 60% of Canadians favour a reduction.

“The governor general already receives a massive salary, lives in a taxpayer-funded mansion, flies on private jets and still gets a six-figure annual expense account after retirement,” Gagnon said. “Canadians are sending the Prime Minister a clear message: enough is enough.”

The online survey was done via Leger with 1533 Canadian residents aged 18 and older from July 25-27 with a probability sample of this size yielding a margin of error no greater than ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.