During the first nine months of this fiscal year, the RCMP spent $2.5 million on security for MPs. If spending continues at the same pace, the cost of MPs’ security for this fiscal year could hit $3.4 million — almost double what it cost a year earlier.
Over fiscal 2022/23, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spent $1.8 million to protect MPs, up from $1.3 million the year before.
The figures obtained from the RCMP do not include the cost of protecting the prime minister. They also don’t include spending by other bodies that also provide protection for Canada’s 338 members of Parliament, such as local police services, the Parliamentary Protective Service and the House of Commons.
The House of Commons has also taken steps to increase security for MPs but has not said how much it has cost.
While the cost of protecting MPs has been rising, it’s still a fraction of the more than $30 million a year it has cost to protect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family over the previous two fiscal years.
Skimping on security seems really stupid right now. There are probably a fair few Canadians who would like to do certain MPs harm… not to mention India has been doing political assassinations.