5 perks that cabinet ministers get with their portfolio

The 30 men and women who were sworn in Wednesday as cabinet ministers get many things as a result — a boatload of work among them. And unlike the Senate, a position in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inner circle isn’t guaranteed for life, or even for the length of his time in charge. The PM can shuffle the cabinet at his pleasure, which means a minister could find him or herself suddenly heading up a different department — or without a portfolio to call their own at all.

But along with all that extra responsibility comes some pretty nice benefits as well. There’s prestige, of course, and a larger role in the new government. That visibility can be a great way for a politician to raise his or her national profile perhaps ahead of a future bid for party leadership? Of course, it can also be a way to put in a lot of hard work on matters that are important to the ongoing health of the country.

Here’s a look at five perks that come with being named a cabinet minister.

Money: MPs already get a nice salary, currently $167,400. But those who are selected for cabinet get a raise of about 50 per cent, which means another $80,100. They’ll also have an expense account, but that doesn’t mean the ability to go hog wild. Former cabinet minister Bev Oda probably regrets that double-digit glass of orange juice.

Staff: Cabinet ministers are in charge of an office with thousands of public services, in many different departments, working underneath them. Ministers are responsible for ensuring the offices — and the staff within them — protect the security and secrecy of what happens within them.

Security: You aren’t automatically assigned a bodyguard if you become a cabinet minister. However, ministers do have access to a 24/7 security hotline, as well as the RCMP’s advice on increasing their personal safety. And ministers will be offered additional security help — which may include a bodyguard — from the RCMP in the face of specific threats.

A driver: Cabinet ministers have a lot on their plates, which means they go to a lot of meetings — and getting to and from those meetings on time is pretty important. Past cabinet ministers have been provided with a car and driver, and it’s expected it will be the same for Trudeau’s cabinet. It’s likely a particularly nice perk during Ottawa’s cold winters.

Another office: Stock up on pens — cabinet ministers have two offices to work from in Ottawa. One is in the parliamentary precinct, in a covetable location. The other is at the department’s location in the National Capital Region.