Toronto city councillors have voted to give themselves a significant pay raise of 24%, approximately $33,000, boosting their annual salary to $170,588.
This increase aligns Toronto councillors’ compensation closely with last year’s levels for Brampton and Mississauga councillors, while exceeding Hamilton councillors’ salaries by about $30,000.
The vote, taken Thursday night, represents the first substantial pay adjustment for councillors since 2006, apart from inflationary increments.
Mayor Olivia Chow, whose salary of $225,000 remains unchanged, criticized the pay hike as excessive earlier in the week.
The city manager’s report justifying the raise highlights increased responsibilities and expanded constituencies following the province’s decision in 2018 to reduce Toronto’s council size from 44 to 25 members. According to the report, the salary increase will cost Toronto taxpayers nearly $1 million this year.