sessional indemnity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (Specialized/Technical)Formal, Official, Governmental
Quick answer
What does “sessional indemnity” mean?
Payment made to a member of a parliament or legislative body for the period during which that body is in session.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Payment made to a member of a parliament or legislative body for the period during which that body is in session.
A salary, allowance, or financial compensation paid to a sitting member of a legislature (e.g., MP, senator) specifically for their service during official parliamentary sessions, distinct from other salaries or expense allowances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This specific term is predominantly Canadian. In the UK, the similar concept is typically referred to as an 'MP's salary' or 'parliamentary salary.' In the US, the equivalent is 'congressional salary' or 'senatorial salary.' The term 'sessional indemnity' is rarely, if ever, used in the UK or US contexts.
Connotations
In Canada, it carries a formal, legalistic connotation tied to the parliamentary calendar. Outside Canada, the term is largely unknown and would not be understood without explanation.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside Canadian official documents, parliamentary reports, and political journalism within Canada.
Grammar
How to Use “sessional indemnity” in a Sentence
The MP is paid a sessional indemnity.The sessional indemnity is adjusted annually.Entitlement to the sessional indemnity begins on the date of the member's election.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sessional indemnity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Act indemnifies members for their service.
American English
- The statute indemnifies legislators for their work.
adverb
British English
- The member was paid sessionally.
American English
- The compensation is paid per session.
adjective
British English
- The sessional payment schedule was published.
American English
- The session-based compensation was reviewed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in political science, Canadian studies, or parliamentary procedure texts discussing legislative remuneration.
Everyday
Extremely rare; used only in Canadian news reports about MP salaries.
Technical
Used in official Canadian government documents, parliamentary statutes (e.g., Parliament of Canada Act), and procedural handbooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sessional indemnity”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sessional indemnity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sessional indemnity”
- Misspelling as 'session indemnity' (dropping an 'al'), confusing it with 'severance indemnity' or 'war indemnity,' using it to refer to daily expense allowances rather than the core salary.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A sessional indemnity is a core salary for service. Expense accounts or allowances are separate funds for costs like travel, office supplies, and staff, which are incurred while performing duties.
Yes, they continue to receive their sessional indemnity. The term 'sessional' is a historical and legal designation for the salary; it is not prorated based on daily attendance. They are considered full-year employees.
No. The equivalent American concept is a 'congressional salary' or 'senatorial salary,' governed by different statutes. The specific term is uniquely Canadian in this parliamentary context.
In Canada, it is set by statute (the Parliament of Canada Act). The base amount is typically adjusted annually, often by a formula tied to an index like the average industrial wage, to avoid direct parliamentary votes on their own pay.
Payment made to a member of a parliament or legislative body for the period during which that body is in session.
Sessional indemnity is usually formal, official, governmental in register.
Sessional indemnity: in British English it is pronounced /ˈseʃ(ə)nəl ɪnˈdɛmnɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛʃ(ə)nəl ɪnˈdɛmnɪti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the sessional payroll”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a parliament in SESSION; members receive an INDEMNITY (payment) for being there. It's a 'session allowance'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPENSATION AS A SESSIONAL FEE (viewing parliamentary work as a period-based contractual service).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'sessional indemnity' most commonly and officially used?