Councillors Failed To Back 15% Wage Hike
Despite a spirited email debate between about half of Ottawa’s city councillors in July, not one elected official was prepared to table a motion calling for a 15-per-cent salary increase for themselves.
According to a source who cannot be identified because they are not allowed to speak publicly on the issue, the consensus in the discussion centred around a salary for the next term of council of $137,000 a year, up from councillors’ current salary of $119,000. However, the email participants refused to make the increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025 though that was proposed by one councillor.
Most elected officials in the debate said the reason for the increase was because it has been a long time between raises.
However, councillors received increases of 2.5 per cent in each of the last three years.
River Councillor Riley Brockington said in July that he approached Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on the issue. However, the mayor has said he opposes an increase because of an “affordability crisis” in the community and lineups at area food banks.
Brockington said an independent study should be undertaken to examine councillor remuneration to find the correct figure.
However in January, an independent consulting firm MNP said, given current market conditions, no raise was needed at present.
“I just want something that is reasonable, that is backed up by an independent study,” Brockington said in July.
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City councilors have received an average 2.5% increase over the past 3 years. So what’s Riley Brockington’s “correct” figure? Looks like $119,000 plus 2.5% is about right unless councilors can show that’s not enough to pay their mortgage/rent and put food on the table. If a 2.5% increase is not enough then the city should reduce their office budgets. Or, if they can’t operate within a given set of parameters maybe it’s time to reduce the number of seats at the table downwards from 24. When belt-tightening time rolls around everyone is expected to participate.
Pigs at a trough? Short term positions giving long term golden retirement? Most “jobs” start at a low salary and increases are granted with performance and service. Councilors START at $119,000. and automatically increase by 2.5% at a minimum despite poor to lackadaisical noversight as well as handing off decision making.Not a good business model nor apparently one designed for success so NO 15% increase!!!