Gordon Campbell’s former advisors among top paid public sector executives

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s top paid public sector executive is T.M. Bechard, managing director of Powerex, the government said Tuesday.

In its annual disclosure, the government said Bechard made $1.01 million in 2010-11, which included a $540,000 annual bonus.

Rounding out the top three on the list are members from former premier Gordon Campbell’s senior staff, both of whom were let go after Campbell stepped down.

British Columbia’s second highest paid public sector executive last year was Allan Seckel, Campbell’s former deputy minister and former head of the public service. Seckel took home $923,907, including an almost $550,000 severance package.

Third on the list was Martyn Brown, who until just before Campbell stepped down had been Campbell’s longtime chief of staff.

Brown was shuffled into another job before Campbell left, but was let go once Premier Christy Clark took office. Brown took home $653,175.92 last year, including $416,191 in severance.

Another executive who took home a sizeable severance last year is Kevin Mahoney, who had been president of BC Rail. Mahoney collected a $392,000 severance, bringing his annual income last year to $523,456.

Others on the list of top paid public sector executives include: University of B.C. president Stephen Toope, who made $579,332; Pavco CEO Warren Buckley, who made $563,707; and Insurance Corp. of British Columbia CEA Jon Schubert, who took home $522,178.