Northern Ont. council mulls giving themselves first pay raise since 1999

West Nipissing councillors are currently debating whether to give themselves a pay raise in the coming year.

West Nipissing councillors are debating whether to give themselves a pay raise.

Their pay has been the same for 25 years and some councillors argue that a pay bump might convince more people to run for municipal politics.

Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon currently receives a yearly salary of more than $35,000, while councillors get nearly $18,000. The deputy mayor makes the same amount as a councillor.

The salaries have been the same since 1999.

“There is an appetite for an increased wage,” said Ward 1 Coun. Kris Rivard.

“Of course, that’s very difficult because, typically, you’re approving a wage raise for yourself.”

Last fall, council contracted human resources consultant Pesce & Associates to conduct a wage study comparing compensation packages for municipalities the same size.

The report found that Kenora’s mayor and council receive $41,000 and nearly $21,000 a year respectively. Bracebridge’s mayor earns $48,000 while councillors earn $27,000.

Pembroke council had the highest wages. The mayor there collects $54,000, while each councillor makes more than $30,000.

“Previous to 2019, one-third of council compensation was not taxable and they did change that,” Rochon told CTV News.

“So in 2019, all members of council across the province took a real pay cut and they had to pay taxes on a portion that was previously tax-free.”

The consultant presented three options, which would place wages within the 50th, 60th, or 75th percentile of the 18 municipal wages that were compared.

The first option, the 50th percentile, would have the mayor at $45,000 and councillors at $22,200. The deputy mayor would receive $29,000.

The 60th percentile option would put the mayor at $48,500, the deputy mayor at $30,000 and each councillor at $24,000.

Most councillors have agreed this would be the best, but a final decision has not been made.

The third option, the 75th percentile, would bump the mayor up to $48,500, the deputy mayor to $31,000 and councillors to $29,900 a year.

Council can alter these as it sees fit at future meetings.

“People see us in meetings every two weeks, but there’s work that councillors actually have to do behind the scenes to prepare for meetings and connect with residents and research,” Rochon said.

Both Rivard and Rochon are leaning towards the first option, so the increase will not be a big burden on ratepayers.

“Should we be directing this money towards special projects instead? We have a lot of work to be done in West Nipissing,” Rivard said.

Council is likely to further discuss the issue at its next meeting.