OTTAWA — David Johnston will be the first Governor General in Canadian history to pay income tax like the rest of us. The only difference is he's getting a pay increase so his $134,970 take-home won't be affected.

The decision to end the Governor General's income-tax exemption came after consultations between Johnston and the government, according to the budget plan, released Thursday.

"This treatment is consistent with recent measures in other Commonwealth countries to make the salary of their Governor General subject to income tax," the document reads. It cites Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2010 as examples.

The Finance Department did not say why the change was made, but it will come into effect in 2013.

The last time the government engaged in a round of deficit cutting, from 1994 to 1998, the governor general's salary was frozen. Since 1998, however, it has increased more than $33,000, from $101,500.

lberthiaume@postmedia.com

Twitter:/leeberthiaume