After having deprived himself of a salary for nearly two years at the head of his political formation, the conservative leader Éric Duhaime will formally ask his party to be paid as would be a member elected to the National Assembly.
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“The figure requested by Mr. Duhaime corresponds to a salary similar to that of a deputy,” explained his press attaché, Cédric Lapointe, arguing that the finances of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) allow him now to pay its chief as well as some employees.
According to the website of the National Assembly, the basic compensation for a deputy is $101,561 per year.
The Conservative leader’s request should be processed by the party’s National Executive Office around mid-November, said Cédric Lapointe.
If his request is accepted, Éric Duhaime will pocket just over $406,000 by the next election.
The PCQ is in better financial health than ever. Having collected 530,786 votes in the last ballot, the party will receive $1,390,659 each year for the next four years, as one vote currently represents $2.62 per year, per voter. Note that this amount is indexed each year.
During the mandate, the PCQ will therefore collect at least $5.5 million in funding from the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec (DGEQ) for each vote obtained.
In addition to these large sums, the party intends to continue to carry out fundraising activities.
Currently, only three people receive a salary from the PCQ, according to Cédric Lapointe.