The Ontario legislature might be on summer break, but that hasn’t stopped conversations about government spending from heating up across Toronto and the province. Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet structure remains unchanged at 29 ministers despite previous commitments to streamline government operations and reduce costs.
This continuation of a large executive council comes as all 124 Members of Provincial Parliament are set to receive a significant pay boost this summer. MPPs will see their base salaries increase from $116,550 to approximately $142,125 annually, representing a roughly 22 percent jump.
“The size of cabinet directly impacts provincial finances in multiple ways,” explains Toronto-based political economist Sandra Martinez. “Each minister position comes with additional staffing costs, office expenses, and of course, the supplementary salary ministers receive beyond their base MPP compensation.”
Cabinet ministers currently receive an additional $49,300 on top of their base salaries, meaning each minister will now cost Ontario taxpayers approximately $191,425 annually in direct compensation alone.
During my recent conversations with small business owners across Toronto’s diverse neighborhoods, many expressed frustration about the situation. “We’ve been told repeatedly that government needs to tighten its belt,” said Markham-based entrepreneur David Chen. “Meanwhile, they’ve maintained a bloated cabinet while giving themselves raises that most Ontarians can only dream about.”
The Ford government has defended the cabinet structure as necessary to address complex provincial challenges. A spokesperson for the Premier’s Office noted that “each ministry serves a critical function in delivering services and developing policy for Ontarians.”
However, critics point to Ford’s previous promises of finding efficiencies and reducing government spending as increasingly contradictory to his administration’s actions.
The pay increase stems from legislation passed in 1996 that linked MPP salaries to those of federal parliamentarians. When federal MPs receive raises, provincial MPPs automatically follow suit after a delay. This mechanism was originally designed to remove the politically sensitive issue of politician pay from direct legislative control.
“It’s essentially a system designed to provide political cover,” notes University of Toronto political science professor Eleanor Kim. “By having salaries tied to federal levels, provincial politicians can claim they aren’t directly voting themselves raises.”
The cabinet size issue particularly resonates in Toronto, where many constituents face economic pressures from inflation and housing costs. Walking through Kensington Market yesterday, I encountered multiple residents expressing dismay at the contrast between government spending patterns and everyday financial realities.
“I’m working two jobs just to afford rent in this city,” shared Parkdale resident Aisha Johnson. “It’s hard not to feel frustrated when you see the government maintaining such a large leadership team while also taking substantial raises.”
According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Ontario’s 29-member cabinet ranks among the largest provincial executives in Canada relative to population size. British Columbia operates with 25 cabinet ministers despite having a third of Ontario’s population, while Quebec manages with 27 ministers.
The financial implications extend beyond just ministerial salaries. Each ministry requires dedicated staff, office space, communications teams, and administrative support—all funded through provincial tax revenues.
When I reached out to several cabinet ministers’ offices for comment on efficiency measures within their departments, most provided general statements about “delivering value for taxpayers” without specific examples of cost-saving initiatives.
As Torontonians struggle with housing affordability challenges and increasing costs of living, the cabinet size and compensation issues will likely remain contentious topics throughout the summer recess and into the fall legislative session.
For many Toronto residents I’ve spoken with during my reporting across the city this past week, the frustration isn’t necessarily about government spending itself, but rather about perceived inconsistencies between political rhetoric and action.
As the legislature returns in September, pressure may mount for the government to demonstrate more concrete efficiency measures to match its long-standing promises of fiscal responsibility.
