Watch video above: Council rejects pay hike as Rob Ford rails against councillor expenses. Jackson Proskow reports.
TORONTO – The city’s executive committee has rejected a 13 per cent pay raise for councillors and the mayor, choosing instead to dole out an inflationary two per cent increase.
A city report recommended two options which would hike the salaries of city councillors and the mayor effective Jan. 1, 2015.
The first would be to allow a 12.9 per cent pay increase to councillors from the current $105,397 to $119,025. The mayor’s salary would also have jumped 12.7 per cent from $177,499 to $200,013. The second option was for a cost of living adjustment.
The mayor seemed bewildered by the recommended raise prior to the meeting asking reporters if they “get a 13 per cent raise.”
WATCH: Rob Ford gives flippant response to councillor pay hike.
The committee rejected this recommendation. Instead, councillors will receive a two per cent increase.
A consulting study completed in March compared Toronto’s city councillors’ pay to those in other regions.
Peel Region councillors can earn up to $133,078 while those in Markham get $122,908.
Council is required to establish the new rate following the end of each four year term. In past years, councillors have voted against a pay increase.
Full city council will vote to reject or accept the two per cent raise on May 6.
Comments