Conservative MP Ellis Ross has stepped into federal office with a robust support package of more than half a million dollars as he begins his first term representing the vast Skeena鈥揃ulkley Valley riding.
Ross is entitled to a personal $209,800 salary under the sessional allowance, along with a $429,600 basic Members Office Budget (MOB) for 2025鈥�2026. That budget is topped with a $54,070 Geographic Supplement and an additional $24,410 under the Schedule 3 supplement, due to the size of his riding, which spans more than 327,000 square kilometres.
Separate from the MOB, Ross receives an additional $39,860 for constituency office operations, $5,000 for staff professional development, and $39,890 to cover travel-related living expenses.
He is also eligible for a provincial pension from his time as a B.C. MLA, estimated at about $29,800 annually based on seven years of service and a base salary of $119,500. His roles as minister and opposition critic may modestly increase that amount.
Ross's Parliamentary web page indicates he's established offices at 112-4716 Lazelle Avenue in Terrace and 1226 Main Street in Smithers. The Terrace office can be reached at 250-434-0456.
The first non-NDP MP elected in Skeena鈥揃ulkley Valley since the riding鈥檚 creation in 2004, Ross enters federal office with a focus on economic development, public safety, Indigenous rights and addiction recovery. Drawing on his experience as a former Haisla Nation Chief Councillor and B.C. Liberal MLA, he has emphasized the need for accessible treatment services and views regional ports as key to expanding Canada鈥檚 trade and energy opportunities.
He used his first House of Commons appearance on May 28 to challenge federal energy policy, focusing on what he described as legislation that hinders Canadian development.
鈥淐anada's energy potential has been stalled by anti-energy laws from the Liberal government for close to a decade,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ill the Prime Minister scrap the job-killing and economy-killing energy production cap?鈥�
Ross argued the policy disadvantages Canada economically, citing a forecast from the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimating a $20.5-billion GDP loss and up to 54,000 job losses tied to the cap. He also pointed to the B.C. NDP鈥檚 decision to drop decarbonization requirements for LNG export facilities as evidence of shifting provincial priorities.
In response, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson dismissed the Conservative criticism and said the government was focused on delivering results. He promised faster project approvals and fewer delays, stating that Canada would become 鈥渁n energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy鈥� by working with 鈥淚ndigenous partners, industry and workers.鈥� He also said such efforts would help Canada shield itself from American tariffs.
Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin supported that stance, saying future energy development must remain 鈥渓ow-cost, low-risk and low-carbon鈥� to balance growth with environmental responsibility.
Ross countered that the government鈥檚 cap threatened domestic energy markets and handed competitive advantages to the United States, where Canadian exports are sold at a discount.
