Committee recommends new method for council pay raises
If approved, increases would match those of non-union Region workers
Regional council has taken another step toward ridding members of having to vote themselves pay increases.
The corporate services committee voted 8-4 Wednesday to peg pay raises for councillors to those given nonunion Region staff.
“I think it is important we have a policy in place for the future in terms of council, so future councils don’t have to go through this very divisive issue every year,” said St. Catharines Coun. Kelly Edgar.
“I will be supporting this for that reason.”
The recommendation advances to the full meeting of council on Nov. 14.
The increase for this year, under the new system, would be 1.5 per cent and be applied Dec. 1 to mirror the start of the council’s term. It would amount to $46.84 a month.
The recommendation is from a blueribbon panel of private citizens, who studied the issue with support from staff.
The panel was engaged after councillors were faced with the unpalatable recommendation of a 2.9 per cent salary increase, based on the system currently in place to deal with inflation.
That system calculates wage gains based mainly on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The citizens’ panel, composed of Bob Haig, Sabrina Hill and Margo Pinder, wanted to move away from the CPI linchpin because it measures the cost of goods rather than labour.
The 279-page report includes the recommendation as well as a review of best practices, figures from comparable jurisdictions, and meeting minutes.
The committee’s goal was a policy that established reasonable wage increases that are fair, fiscally conservative, derived at arm’s length, and transparent.
Judging by the committee debate, they hit the mark.
Most of the discussion was on whether the new method should be enacted immediately or delayed until the next election of councillors in 2022.
Regional Chair Jim Bradley was ahead of the curve. Back in June, he asked for council’s indulgence in exempting his salary of $136,318 from the review so he could forgo any pay increases.
“I think this is a fair way to handle the issue going forward,” said Port Colborne Coun. Barb Butters. “One change I would like to see is that it become effective next term.
“Our remuneration is very generous, and I think we should follow the regional chair’s thought process and not give ourselves a raise this term. It can be put in place for the next council. It is a very fair process.”
St. Catharines Coun. Laura Ip agreed, saying that in a challenging budget year there has been a lot of discussion on how difficult it will be for taxpayers to keep up with rising costs.
“I am just asking that we show some restraint and make a clear demonstration to the citizens of Niagara that we won’t always vote in favour of things that benefit us directly at their expense.
“And since some of you in this room like using sports analogies, I am asking you to consider taking one for the team.”
Butters’ amendment, however, was rejected by the committee with a 9-4 vote.
Niagara Falls Coun. Bob Gale was against the idea of any increase.
“I’m voting no,” he said.
“I was for what Premier Ford was doing. I feel we have too many politicians, too much cost, too much duplication. Until that changes, I don’t think any of us deserve any more money.”