Actions taken by Canada's Prime Minister and our elected Members of Parliament from all parties in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have had a devastating effect on the economic security of Canadians from all walks of life. Businesses have been forced to close. Many jobs have been lost. Many still working are facing wage cuts and roll backs. People are unable to pay their expenses. For many Canadians even basic food security has become threatened -  a reality with no timeline for a return to some semblance of their previous ability to generate sufficient, or often any, income. 

In response, the Government created several programs to help people meet their basic needs, including a temporary wage subsidy program. People enrolled in this program can receive supplement to replace 75% of their income (up to a maximum of $847 per week.)

Meanwhile as of April 1, 2020, our elected Members of Parliament just had their base wage rise to $182,600 per year ($3,511.53 per week). It's time our Members of Parliament shared in some of the financial duress that all Canadians are feeling right now. Canadians simply cannot afford to pay our Members of Parliament such large wages during this unprecedented time. After all - we are all in this together.