GTH chief executive handed pay cut after hours of work reduced

SASKATOON The sole remaining employee of the beleaguered Global Transportation Hub was handed a $125,000 pay cut after his working hours were reduced by three-quarters earlier this year.

Matthew Schroeder will now be paid $61,465 for spending “approximately” one-quarter of his time running the debit-mired inland port as a private agency attempts to sell off its lands. That is $125,274 less than he earned after cabinet appointed him as the GTH’S acting chief executive in January, following the firing of former GTH CEO Bryan Richards.

According to the provincial government, however, Schroeder’s total compensation will remain unchanged, as he takes over as vice-president of strategy with Saskbuilds effective Jan. 1.

Saskbuilds is the Crown corporation responsible for major public infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan.

“This reduction in time dedicated to the GTH results from the engagement of Colliers to take over the routine management of the hub as well as other organizational changes and cost savings during the current year,” Minister Responsible for the GTH Don Morgan said in a brief written statement.

“While his total compensation starting January 1st 2020 will be the same as it was in December 2019 it will now be shared between The Global Transportation Hub and Saskbuilds,” Morgan said.

Schroder’s GTH pay cut comes in the form of a cabinet order, which notes he is eligible for “executive benefit coverage” and a performance-based bonus of up to $10,000.

The order also states Schroeder

will receive a $450-per-month car allowance provided that he maintains a vehicle in “excellent condition.”

The GTH has been plagued by scandal since CBC News first reported that two businessmen with ties to the Saskatchewan Party collectively made $11 million selling land to the so-called inland port.

Early this year, the government reiterated its 2018 admission that it should not have been running the facility in the first place and unveiled plans to have a third-party consultant sell off the land.