Toronto city councillors voted to approve a significant pay raise, sparking debate about councillor compensation and public trust in government.
Toronto city council lors have voted to approve a nearly 25 percent pay raise , as recommended by city staff. In a Thursday meeting, councillors voted 15-8 with three abstentions to increase their current base salary from $137,537.40 to $170,588.60, a raise of approximately $33,000. This increase, the first pay bump for councillors since 2006 outside of inflation adjustments, follows a staff report by the city's chief people officer, Mary Madigan-Lee.
Mayor Olivia Chow, whose salary remains unaffected by the council vote, expressed her disapproval earlier this week, stating that the raise was 'too steep' during these challenging economic times. The staff report supporting the raise emphasizes the demanding nature of the role, highlighting that Toronto councillors manage Canada's largest municipal budget, overseeing significant systems such as shelter and transit, along with a substantial housing portfolio. Despite these responsibilities, the report found that Toronto councillors currently earn less than approximately 40 percent of their counterparts in other municipalities reviewed. The proposed increase intends to position Toronto council pay at the 75th percentile among elected officials in comparable cities, meaning Toronto councillors would be paid more than three-quarters of municipal representatives in similar-sized cities. Notably, Toronto boasts the lowest compensation per constituent ($1.08) among the reviewed municipalities. Additionally, Toronto is the only city in the group that doesn't provide additional compensation for appointments to boards of service agencies. Coun. Stephen Holyday, representing Etobicoke Centre, opposed the pay raise, arguing that it undermines public trust in government. Meanwhile, Coun. Michael Colle, who supported the increase, emphasized that the role requires significant dedication and that the proposed salary reflects its demands
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