Council remuneration rates
Remunerations for elected officials have not been adjusted since 2015, so pay hikes are being adopted by councils throughout the province. The methods being used to calculate a fair pay increase can vary from municipality to municipality. A number of municipalities applied the calculation tool supplied by the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ). This calculation takes into account population, real estate wealth, the sorts of services the municipality has within its boundaries — be it an arena or a library — and whether the municipality has a waterfront. The calculation tool also considers the heft of files being dealt with by a municipality, be it a large industrial sector or a university campus or hospital. Here’s a look at remunerations in demerged municipalities in the West Island.
POINTE-CLAIRE
Population: 32,611 Budget: (2018) $135.9 million Remuneration: In 2019, the mayor’s base pay is expected to increase by $6,130 to $77,256 and councillors’ pay is expected to increase by $2,577 to $26,627. The expense allowance for the mayor will be $16,595 (the maximum allowed) and for councillors, the expense allowance will increase $1,289 to $13,314. As stipulated by law, a councillor’s expense allowance is one half of the base remuneration. As of January, the federal government will be taxing the heretofore tax-free expense allowance. The probability is that the Quebec government will harmonize the expense allowance tax. Beaconsfield chose to calculate based on the probability that the expense allowance will be taxed by both governments. If Quebec does not harmonize the tax, adjustments will be made to the remunerations.
BEACONSFIELD
Population: 20,075 Budget: (2018) $43 million Remuneration: The mayor’s base pay will increase by $21,516 to $69,296 and the councillors’ pay will increase by $4,454 to $20,374. The federally taxed, 2019 expense allowance for the mayor is $16,595 and a councillor’s expense allowance increases $2,177 to $10,137.
BAIE-D’URFÉ
Population: 3,890 Budget: (2018) $19.2 million Remuneration: In 2019, the mayor’s remuneration will increase $6,532 to $28,784 and a councillor’s pay will increase $1,631.65 to $9,049. The 2019 expense allowance for the mayor will increase $3,266 to $14,392 and a councillor’s expense allowance will increase $816.32 to $4,525. Council voted to not reflect Quebec’s possible harmonization of expense allowance tax in the calculations.
STE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE
Population: 5,035 Budget: (2018) $17.9 million Remuneration: The mayor’s pay increased $4,085 to $28,109 and a councillor’s pay increases $2,043 to $14,055. The mayor’s expense allowance increased $1,361 to $9,370 and a councillor’s expense allowance rose $680 to $4,685.
KIRKLAND
Population: 21,044 Budget: (2018) $54.3 million Remuneration: The mayor’s pay increases $4,593 to $53,977 and a councillor’s pay increases $1,613 to $18,956. The mayor receives the $16,595 maximum expense allowance and a councillor’s expense allowance increases $806 to $9,478.
DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX
Population: 51,200 Budget: (2018) $85.5 million Remuneration: As of 2019, the mayor’s pay increases $20,495 to $73,208 and a councillor’s pay rises $3,640 to $21,211. The mayor receives the $16,595 maximum expense allowance and a councillor’s expense allowance increases $1,821 to $10,606.
DORVAL
Population: 19,763 Budget: (2018) $128.1 million Remuneration: The city has yet to finalize its increases, but Mayor Edgar Rouleau told the West Island Gazette last week that any increases will compensate for the new federal tax. As it stands, the mayor’s base pay is $67,857.54 and his expense allowance is $16,476.46. A councillor is paid $22,312.19 and receives an $11,156.10 expense allowance. The remunerations listed for all the municipalities above do not include monies paid for serving on committees or attending to Montreal Agglomeration Council business. Senneville Mayor Julie Brisebois said hikes to remunerations had yet to be determined.