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Calgary city councillors are getting another pay raise, marking the fourth year in a row of pay increases.
Effective January 1, the mayor and councillors received a 3.07% raise, bringing the total increase through 2022 to 9.5%.
Even if a voluntary compensation review committee approves the increase, critics say pay increases should be tied to performance.
"Are my streets safer, cleaner and in better condition? "Frankly, this is the job of a municipal government," said Kris Sims of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek's salary is now nearly $220,298, much higher than that of the Alberta premier. Councillors' salaries have increased to about $124,462 per year.
Councillors' pay is determined by a citizens' committee based on Alberta's average weekly wage, a system created before the last election. This means salaries fluctuate based on the province's economic performance. "Council has no role in determining their salaries and we rely on the council's remuneration committee to make that decision," Ward 7 councilor Terry Wong said.
Ward 11 Councilwoman Kourtney Penner acknowledged the lack of performance-based measures, but noted the subjective nature of the council's performance evaluation.
"Performance in a board position is subjective and everyone has a different opinion of who does a good job," Penner said.
She also noted that Calgary councilor salaries are comparable to those in other large Canadian cities and to MLA salaries, given the workload and responsibilities.
"We are similar to other comparable cities. "We're comparable to the MPs in this province," he said.
"So, the number of hours, I think it's a fair wage."
Some councillors have said they are open to the idea of freezing or halting future pay increases.
"I agree with the idea of deferring," Wong said.
However, no formal motion to that effect has been tabled.
Sims criticized the automatic nature of the pay increase. "The idea that there's some kind of automatic fairy godmother who gives them or forces them to get a raise is ridiculous," Sims said.
"That's what you call passing the buck. They're trying to pass their money-making salary to an amorphous outside force."
A report presented to council showed what mayors and councillors in major cities will earn in 2024, according to Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Inc.
City council salaries in major cities across Canada. (Statistics courtesy of Gallagher Benefit Services Canada Inc.)
Toronto: Mayor - $225,304, Councillor - $133,776
Edmonton: Mayor - $216,585, Councillor - $122,363
Calgary: Mayor - $213,737, Councillor - $120,755
Winnipeg: Mayor - $213,328, Councillor - $114,609
Vancouver: Mayor - $ 208,962, Councillor - $104,986
Ottawa: Mayor - $208,760, Councillor - $116,735
Halifax: Mayor - $200,853, Councillor - $99,403
Calgarians will go to the polls in October.
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