City councillors in Fort McMurray, Alta., have approved a motion to more than double some of their salaries, and three could become some of the highest paid councillors in Canada.
The pay hike is drawing harsh criticism from constituents, many of whom lost their homes and jobs to the wildfires that devastated the region last month.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the measure to boost their compensation. Those in favour say the move is justified because councillors expect to put in additional hours to co-ordinate rebuilding efforts.
“This is kind of outrageous right now,” said Chad Remillard. His family has been living at a local camp ground since fleeing their home in early May.
Seven part-time councillors currently earning $36,000 per year will see their pay rise to $75,000. Councillors Allan Vinni, Keith McGrath, and Sheldon Germain -- all part of a newly minted relief committee -- will now work full-time. Their pay will rise to $150,000 per year. That’s believed to be the highest base salary for any councillor in Canada.
The new salaries will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2017.
Mayor Melissa Blake voted against the round of raises. She says the move will cause “anxiety and consternation” in a community still reeling from the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.
“This council ran, and we didn’t expect a wild fire, but … we knew what our commitments were intended to be,” she said. Blake’s salary jumped to $150,000, but she is refusing to accept the extra money.
Councillor Jane Stroud voted against the motion as well; she echoed Blake’s view that extra work doesn’t justify the hefty pay hikes.
“I think we need to stay our course and accept the responsibility of the extra work load,” she said.
The Alberta wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 94,000 residents. Roughly 2,400 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Rebuilding efforts could continue into 2019, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
“The money should be put towards the fire fighters, the brave men and women who actually fought to save our city,” said Remillard.
With a report from CTV Edmonton
