WATCH: The board of Toronto’s public housing agency recently approved bonuses to three members of its executive. Mark McAllister reports.
TORONTO – The board of Toronto’s public housing agency recently approved substantial bonuses to three members of its executive leadership team.
A report published in the Toronto Sun on Monday said the bonuses were voted on and passed during a board meeting on Feb. 19.
Interim president and CEO Greg Spearn and general counsel and corporate secretary Pamela Spencer each received bonuses of up to 20 per cent of their salaries.
Meanwhile, TCHC’s chief financial officer Jason Gorel was given a bonus of 15 per cent.
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Board member and councillor Frank Di Giorgio told the Sun the payouts are “contractual obligations” and defended his position to support the bonuses.
Councillor Joe Cressy, also a board member, told Global News the decision was made “in-camera” and referred comments to TCHC staff.
Cressy did not disclose whether he voted for or against the salary compensation.
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A statement released by TCHC spokesman Sara Goldvine said the bonuses are linked to performance and the practice has been in place “for some time.”
“The Board of Directors sets clear performance metrics and an annual work plan for each Officer at the beginning of the fiscal year, and then annually conducts rigorous performance reviews following year-end,” the statement read.
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“Officers do not automatically receive a performance bonus. In 2014, not all officers qualified for the maximum performance bonus.”
The payouts come as TCHC faces a $900 million repair backlog.
TCHC has been plagued in recent years by spending scandals and questionable hiring practices which has forced the dismissal of several management officials including the removal of CEO Gene Jones last year.
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