Current and former Members of Parliament, along with political experts, are calling for changes to House of Commons rules that would prevent backbench MPs from holding additional paid jobs, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the responsibilities of elected officials.
Former Liberal MP and cabinet minister Wayne Easter, who served in Parliament for approximately three decades, argued that MPs should focus exclusively on their parliamentary responsibilities rather than pursuing outside employment. “You’re paid well; do your damn job,” Easter said, emphasizing that elected representatives already receive substantial salaries and have dedicated staff to support their work. He urged party leaders to require MPs with secondary paid positions to choose between their outside employment and their parliamentary seats.
Under existing parliamentary regulations, cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries are prohibited from accepting additional paid employment. However, backbench MPs from both government and opposition parties are permitted to hold secondary jobs as long as these do not interfere with their parliamentary responsibilities or violate conflict-of-interest rules.
The debate has gained attention following reports that Conservative MP Roman Baber, who represents North York, Ontario, works part-time as a lawyer at a Toronto-area law firm, while Liberal MP Angelo Iacono, representing Alfred-Pellan, Quebec, serves as a strategic adviser at a Montreal law firm. Both MPs have maintained that their outside employment complies with parliamentary regulations.
Baber’s office confirmed that he consulted the federal ethics commissioner before accepting his part-time legal position and received clearance to continue practising law. His office stated that he remains fully compliant with applicable conflict-of-interest and disclosure requirements.
Another case involved Conservative MP Chak Au, representing Richmond Centre–Marpole in British Columbia, who simultaneously served as a Richmond city councillor after being elected to Parliament. Au resigned from his municipal position in February following public reporting about his dual roles.
The controversy has also renewed scrutiny of parliamentary compensation. MPs currently receive an annual base salary of $217,700, placing them among Canada’s highest-paid individual earners. Their salaries increase automatically each April, with annual adjustments of approximately $7,000. Parliamentarians holding additional leadership or government responsibilities receive supplementary compensation, with cabinet ministers, the House Speaker and the official opposition leader receiving an additional $103,600 annually.
MPs also receive government-funded accommodation and travel expenses for official parliamentary business, health and dental benefits, and pension eligibility after six years of service.
Although most backbench MPs do not hold additional paid positions, critics argue that even a limited number of such arrangements can raise questions about divided loyalties, public accountability and the potential for real or perceived conflicts of interest.
The growing calls for reform highlight a broader debate over whether existing parliamentary ethics regulations provide sufficient safeguards or whether MPs should be required to devote their professional attention exclusively to representing their constituents.
