Conservatives are targeting Singh over his pension — but Poilievre's is three times larger

For weeks, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been accusing NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh of supporting the government until February so he can become eligible for his MP pension. But experts estimate the size of Poilievre's own pension at more than three times that of Singh's pension.

A calculation of Poilievre's House of Commons pension indicates that he could draw more than $230,000 annually once he turns 65. That figure could grow considerably if Poilievre becomes prime minister following the next federal election.

If Singh qualifies for his pension, he could draw more than $66,000 annually starting at age 65, the same estimates suggest.

"Mr. Singh isn't the one who should be getting attacked over his pension," said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.  "I think it's a slippery slope and one [Poilievre] will regret."

Poilievre recently made MPs pensions a matter of public debate when he dubbed Singh a "sell-out" and accused him of putting himself ahead of Canadians to qualify for his House of Commons pension.

"It's another tired old lie that Pierre Poilievre likes to say, and it's a lie that he uses to distract from the facts," Singh said Tuesday.

CBC News asked an accounting professor with pension expertise to estimate the value of all five major party leaders' pensions. Four other experts, including an actuary, reviewed his findings.

The figures indicate that Poilievre is set to collect the largest pension of all party leaders except Justin Trudeau, who will receive a larger pension because he is prime minister.

But a spokesperson for Poilievre said there's a difference between the two leaders' situations.

"[Poilievre] has never tried to delay a needed election in order to qualify for or grow his pension," said Sebastian Skamski in a statement to CBC News.

Skamski said that Poilievre "proudly voted to cut politicians' pensions, including his own," under the Stephen Harper government.

Speaking to the Conservative caucus on Sunday, Poilievre repeatedly accused Singh of refusing to help him trigger an election in order to qualify for his pension next year.

"Jagmeet Singh has a message," Poilievre said to caucus. "Wait. Wait until he gets his pension."

The party also posted paid online ads last month pressing the same line of attack.