Mayor Calls Proposed Salary Increase for Councillors Excessive

As Toronto councillors gear up for a vote on Wednesday regarding a staff-suggested pay increase of nearly 25 per cent, the city’s mayor expresses that the proposed hike is too much given current tariffs and economic uncertainty.

The suggested raise, which would mark the first salary increase for councillors since 2006 apart from inflation adjustments, comes from a report by Mary Madigan-Lee, the city’s chief people officer. The report suggests raising the base salary from $137,537.40 to $170,588.60, an increase of about $33,000 that would cost the city roughly $950,000 in salaries and benefits this year.

The report also recommends that salaries should continue to rise each year at the rate of inflation.

Mayor Olivia Chow, whose salary won’t be impacted by Wednesday’s council vote, states she does not support an increase.

“It is too steep,” she told reporters Tuesday. “These are hard economic times for everyone, and it’s also uncertain times, uncertain because of the Trump tariff.”

40% of councillors in similar cities earn more, report finds

However, the staff report argues that the proposed pay boost is warranted due to “the unique demands placed on city councillors,” pointing out that Toronto councillors manage Canada’s largest municipal budget as well as overseeing its biggest shelter and transit systems along with a “substantial” housing portfolio.

Despite this fact, Toronto councillors currently make less than about 40 per cent of their counterparts in other municipalities evaluated in the report.

Toronto city councillors will debate and vote on whether to raise their salaries for the first time since 2006 on Wednesday. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

If approved, this increase would elevate Toronto council salaries into the 75th percentile among elected officials in comparable municipalities according to the report. In simpler terms, Toronto councillors would earn more than three-quarters of municipal representatives in similar cities.

Should these recommendations pass, city staff would also provide updates at each new council term regarding what’s needed to maintain Toronto council pay at that 75th percentile level.

Report compared 9 cities

The study compared salaries for Toronto councillors against those in nine similar Canadian municipalities selected based on size, operating budget, compensation levels, constituency size and additional duties: Brampton, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Vaughan, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg.

The city of Markham has a population nearly one-tenth the size of Toronto’s but its councillors had the highest base salary among any municipality reviewed for a new Toronto city staff report. ()

According to findings from this report , Toronto’s compensation per constituent stands as lowest ($1.08) within that group. Additionally, Toronto is unique among those municipalities since it does not offer extra compensation for appointments to boards of service agencies.

Councillors in Markham – which has 353000 residents compared to approximately 3.1 million in Toronto – received top compensation per constituent ($5.24), earning around $161000 annually. The highest base salaries within this review group belong to Mississauga’s councillors who represent just under 800000 people with earnings close to $173000 projected for 2024.

Of all Ontario municipalities assessed through this report only Ottawa’s councillor base salary was lower than that offered by Toronto’s officials.

Pay raise ‘overdue,’ says councillor

Councillor Jamaal Myers advocates strongly for a pay raise.

‘The facts speak for themselves. City councillors in Toronto are underpaid when you compare them to almost any other municipality in GTA,’ he told reporters Tuesday.’The pay increase is overdue.’

Councillor Jamaal Myers speaking at a transit announcement Tuesday where he was joined by Councillor Anthony Perruzza and Mayor Olivia Chow stated how important it was noting his position represents Scarborough North, the smallest ward by population which still holds more residents than Peterborough.(CBC)

Councillor Anthony Perruzza shared his thoughts alongside Myers and Chow during Tuesday’s press conference indicating he hasn’t yet read through all sections contained within said reports; however he observed increased workloads ever since first getting elected back into council back in 2006 while representing constituents needs across growing communities.

Perruzza mentioned Premier Doug Ford’s government slashed number wards down almost half way back then attributing increased responsibilities coming forth directly correlated with such changes made going forward moving ahead across regions.

“So what seems fair surrounding these shifts?”he pondered.”That’s something I’m truly eager look closely into.”

Perruzza further responded towards Chow’s assertions regarding timing factors being unsuitable concerning approving any potential raise stating,”There isn’t exactly perfect moments occurring surrounding self-remuneration discussions.”

A review conducted identified reductions around ward count previously existing dropped down significantly altering sizes affected each representative holding larger constituencies now multiplied through various measures taken.

These recommendations generated stemmed primarily assisted efforts executed largely via assistance provided third-party consultants Korn Ferry alongside research compiled within local authorities involved throughout assessing scope addressing issues raised.

Debate around these proposals will proceed followed promptly next heading towards voting session scheduled planned on Wednesday afternoon.

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