Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaGovernment execs received $200 million in bonuses last year despite missing half of targets: CTFMultiple bonuses, including a 'bilingual bonus,' a 'performance award' and 'at risk pay,' among others, were handed out in 2025 You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.In total, federal bonuses have cost taxpayers about $2 billion since 2015, according to Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Photo by HYUNGCHEOL PARK /PostmediaGovernment executives were paid $201.5 million in bonuses in 2025 despite “barely pass(ing) their own test,” according to Canadian Taxpayers Federation.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe advocacy group obtained access to information records that showed the government handed out multiple bonuses, including a “bilingual bonus,” a “performance award” and “at risk pay,” among others, last year.Most government executives take bonuses every year, and Public Services and Procurement Canada confirmed to CTF that roughly 88 per cent took one last year. This is despite the government’s own data showing that federal departments met just 54 per cent of their performance targets in 2024-25. The remaining targets were either not met, are to be achieved in the future, or data is not available.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Bonuses are for when you go above and beyond, so why are most government executives taking bonuses every year when their departments can barely pass their own test?” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director, in the report.“Prime Minister Mark Carney needs to end Ottawa’s entitlement culture because federal executives shouldn’t automatically get a bonus.”An access to information request revealed that, in 2025, 15,898 of 18,041 executive employees received a bonus or other form of performance incentive, while 142,269 of 414,525 non-executive employees received one.According to the records obtained by CTF, the $201.5 million in bonuses last year included 6,902 employees receiving a “bilingual bonus allowance” at a cost of $4 million, 9,173 employees receiving “at risk pay,” totalling $172 million, and 1,618 employees receiving a “performance award,” costing $24 million.In total, federal bonuses have cost taxpayers about $2 billion since 2015, according to CTF.Meanwhile, government data on departmental results shows that departments have not met or exceeded 55 per cent of targets since 2020 (the earliest year data is available for).That said, the percentage of targets met has consistently improved over the years. In 202-21, 45 per cent of targets were met, and that figure has steadily climbed to reach 54 per cent last year.The latest CTF report comes after it was revealed that Canada Post handed out $30.8 million in management bonuses in 2025, despite losing $1.57 billion that year.The Crown corporation’s president and CEO, Doug Ettinger, defended the “at risk” bonus program during an appearance before a standing committee last month, saying that Canada Post has “cut a lot of costs on the management side. We’ve taken out more than 10 per cent from our management and executive.”Elsewhere, Alto high-speed rail executives received more than $2 million in bonuses last year, despite construction yet to begin on a high-speed rail link along the Toronto-Quebec City corridor. The federal Crown corporation was created to oversee Ottawa’s high-speed rail project and is a wholly owned subsidiary of VIA Rail.In June, a Parliamentary Budget Officer report projected that the federal bureaucracy’s costs would increase by more than $10 billion next year.The report detailed that personnel expenses are expected to cost $69.2 billion in 2025-26, and will increase to $79.4 billion in 2026-27. By 2030, the report predicted personnel expenses reach $86 billion.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.