Did you know that some Metro Vancouver politicians make more in income than B.C. cabinet ministers?
If you didn’t, now you do. After conducting his own consolidation of financial information of politicians, New Westminster city Councillor Daniel Fontaine is calling upon B.C. Premier David Eby to put a cap on some of these politicians’ salaries.
HIGHEST EARNERS
A number of Metro Vancouver mayors reportedly earned over $200,000 in 2024. Four of them also earned over $300,000.
The highest-earning of these politicians is Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, whose remuneration added up to nearly $400,000. Breaking that down further, this includes $244,000 from Richmond, $64,000 from Metro Vancouver, $40,000 from TransLink, $28,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority, and $24,000 from the South Coast Transportation Authority. This includes stipends and expenses, totaling to $397,482.
Following those numbers is:
- Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley: $377,560.
- Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West: $376,233
- Delta Mayor George Harvie: $317,401
- Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim: $220,078
Fontaine said that he began to compile the compensation of Metro Vancouver elected officials because of the lack of centrally available information.
Fraser-Nicola MLA and Municipal Affairs critic Tony Luck also said in a statement on Friday, June 27 that “Taxpayers are tired of seeing public officials put themselves first. At a time when families are struggling to afford groceries, housing, and basic services, it’s unacceptable that some mayors are pocketing $150,000 more than provincial cabinet ministers.”
SALARY CAPS RECOMMENDATION
A recommendation from accounting firm Deloitte has been noted by Fontaine, in which Metro Vancouver elected politicians should earn no more than $180,000 annually. Mayors, it suggests, should not earn more than cabinet ministers, whose salaries are $183,000.
Deloitte’s report also noted that if an income remuneration cap were implemented then Metro Vancouver taxpayers would have saved around $1.5 million in 2024.
Fontaine is calling for a review on local politicians’ compensation, as well as for Premier David Eby to implement salary caps.
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