After spending $88k on clothes and shoes, a new rule now bars the Governor General from lavish spending — an overdue update as Canadians scrimp on basics. How it effects you and your money

According to a letter sent to MPs, each Governor General (GG) will only be reimbursed for outfits worn at official functions, such as black-tie events or public ceremonies, where it is their duty to represent the monarch and country.

“Normal everyday casual or business attire is the responsibility of the Governor General,” the letter reportedly stated.

The move comes after renewed criticism over the clothing expenditures billed by predecessors at Rideau Hall. In September 2025, a list of former Governor General Mary Simon’s wardrobe purchases between January 2024 and March 2025 was made public in Parliament. Notable pieces include $1,500 for a “sealskin chest piece” for official events in Nunavut and $1,117 on six pairs of shoes.

And it’s not the first time a Governor General’s new clothes have come under scrutiny. Both Simon and her predecessor, Julie Payette, have been criticized for expensing a combined total of $88,000 to Canadian taxpayers for clothing purchases made between 2017 and 2023.

Clothing each GG got to keep.

While a few of the items were worn in connection to their official duties, others appeared to be for everyday use, prompting renewed calls for reform to the clothing allowance. Defenders have pointed out that the role requires them to attend many official functions with strict dress requirements — and that female governors generally attract the most scrutiny for their wardrobe expenses.

Rideau Hall did not respond to Money.ca’s request for comment in time for publication.

More than just clothes

Part of the issue may be optics. As the country enters a technical recession, expenses on the hill are an easy target for criticism.

Still, it’s hard to deny that Canadians are struggling. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) — an inflation benchmark — hit 3.2% in May, a 29-month high pushing the country out of the Bank of Canada’s inflation-control target range of 1% to 3%. Meanwhile, the cost of food outpaced the CPI for 16 straight months. Most notably, the price of a tomato was 45.2% higher in May 2026 than in May 2025.

These basic, very human concerns add some perspective to expenses filed by any Governor General, both past and present.

And it’s not just about their clothing.

In May, it came out that the Canadian government paid out $554,000 in just one year to support five individuals who formally held the role of Governor General. Turns out each GG can bill up to $206,040 per year in expenses after leaving office.

What makes these charges more notable is that they come on top of generous salaries provided to each GG while they’re in office, as well as the sizeable pension each gets after they retire from office. Current estimates put the salary of a serving GG at $393,800, while former GGs take in annual pensions of about $150,000.

For reference, the average salary of a working Canadian is around $70,000, or less than a quarter of the current Governor General’s take. No wonder 59% of Canadians polled by Leger believed the GG’s the salary should be reduced.

For Canadians earning an average salary and not rewarded for their service by a defined benefit pension, it raises some concerning questions like what can Canadians do to secure their retirement?

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Retire like a king… or a governor

Most Canadians would jump at the chance of a $150K pension, let alone $200K in paid expenses, for their retirement years.

The reality is, most retirees will only get this type of security and spending power if they save for it themselves.

There are many ways of securing enough income for retirement, from using public pensions, like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), to contributing to workplace retirement plans or opening personal investment accounts, like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). In most cases, Canadian retirees will end up relying on a mix of government income support, such as Old Age Security (OAS) and CPP, and their own savings.

That’s why Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), which are registered savings accounts that function as an investment account, are a popular option for retirement investing. TFSAs allow you to avoid paying taxes on income earned through capital gains, dividends or interest when the funds are withdrawn.

To maximize TFSA earnings, Canadians need to think beyond high-interest savings accounts (HISA) and use their TFSAs as a way to shelter investment earnings.

There is one big disadvantage with the TFSA: You can only contribute a specified amount each year. In 2026, the contribution limit was capped at $7,000 and prior year contribution limits were as low as $5,000. Still, holding a self-directed TFSA in a brokerage account lets you choose from a range of investment options, including stocks, bonds and ETFs.

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Break in case of emergency

The cost of living crisis in Canada is hard enough for many Canadians, but what happens when things go wrong? What happens if you lose your job and suddenly can’t pay for groceries? In this scenario tapping into your retirement account would be a gamble and a setback.

One way to avoid derailing your future financial goals is to set up an emergency fund. This fund helps you pay for larger, unexpected expenses without taking on high-interest debt or tapping into retirement savings.