Sault Online Weekly Q&A

Topic: Remuneration (Municipal Salaries)

Knowing that the Municipal election is imminent, there are many issues of significance on the table both locally, as well as across northeastern Ontario. Given this, another issue has been presented for consideration and one local candidate has already stated an opinion on this to another media source. With this being said, here are this week's questions:

1/ Should the remuneration for municipal leadership be increased or frozen at the current level. Please explain why you believe this.

Personally, I have done the research the average councillor receives, Honorarium - $24,141.84, Car Allowance - $2,728.59, Total - $26,870.43, I put my name on the ballot for the current wage for 4 years. I understand why this conversation is occurring because life has become more expensive. But we as councillors should not be voting to increase our own salaries. Plain and simple this should be a ballot box issue. Let the people we work for decide it’s their money.

2/ In your opinion, with regards to receiving compensation for representing the City as Mayor, or your ward as Councillor, how would you balance your duties to the constituents with the constraints of office?

I feel the mayor is a full-time position. I personally believe that if you run and are elected for mayor, it should be your only employment. The Honorarium - $75,124.37, Car Allowance - $4,913.02 Total- $80,037.39. I believe that wage is fair for the demand of the job.

As for councillors, this is not full-time employment and I believe the wage of Honorarium - $24,141.84, Car Allowance - $2,728.59, Total - $26,870.43 reflects that. If councillors were to be compensated more, I think their responsibilities and the expectation of them should also increase.