I'm confused, I thought the issue was that regular Canadians can't afford to run for MP. I find it hard to believe anyone would struggle to live on nearly $200,000 after being elected. Are you suggesting people would be incentivized to go into debt campaigning for the chance to be elected if their potential future wage was a little higher? There has to be a better use of that money, even in an elections context. Why not some form of funding for "low income" candidates, possibly a loan that's partially forgiven based on votes? I don't know what the solution is, but I just can't see how voting yourself a raise (especially on the same day as unpopular tax hikes) can be seen as anything other than tone deaf.