Town and Region release statements on what councillors were paid

April 5, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The hours can be long, the issues complex, and plenty of frustration on the job is almost a guarantee.
But there are the advantages, which includes the salary that goes with holding elected office in a municipality like Caledon.
The Town and Peel Region recently issued their annual statements on the remuneration and expenses that went to the individual councillors.
Not surprisingly, Mayor Allan Thompson was the highest paid municipal politician in Caledon, with a total package of $177,589.95.
That included his salary as mayor of $83,689.99. Added to that were $3,643.25 in statutory benefits, $5,161.04 in pension costs through Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) and $611.86 in other benefit costs, such as employer portions of health, dental and insurance costs. As well, he was reimbursed for expenses. That included $4,977.37 for printing and advertising, $2,862.50 for training, development and seminars, and $797.34 for his mobile phone. There was also $1,338.61 for other expenses and $375 for his participation with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA). This amounted to a total package from the Town of $103,456.96.
Thompson also sits on Regional council, meaning he receives an income from Peel as well.
All 24 Regional councillors, including those from Brampton and Mississauga (with the exception of Regional Chair Frank Dale), were paid salaries of $54,315.35, and there were benefit costs, as well as reimbursement for expenses. Thompson was paid $9,772.74 to cover benefits and $7,580.88 for expenses. As well, he got $2,464.02 from the Region for sitting on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board.
Each member of Town council received a salary of $36,046.10, although the other amounts paid out varied from individuals.
Councillor Barb Shaughnessy received her salary, along with $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 through OMERS, and $265.84 to cover other benefits. She also received $500 for office supplies, $2,032.89 for training, development and seminars, and $609.59 for her mobile phone. That meant she received $43,140.89 from the Town.
In addition to her salary as a Regional councillor, Shaughnessy received $9,764.88 from Peel in benefits and $8,458.27 to cover conferences, mileage and other expenses. That brought her total municipal package to $115,679.39.
Councillor Johanna Downey was paid her salary by the Town, as well as $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 for OMERS, $265.84 for other benefits and $519.90 in expenses to cover her mobile phone. Her total from the Town came to $40,518.31.
In addition to her Regional salary, Downey got $9,772.74 in benefits and $8,670.24 to cover expenses. As well, she sits of Credit Valley Conservation, so she received $751.70 in remuneration and $286.20 in expenses. Her total package came to $114,314.54.
Councillor Jennifer Innis received her salary from the Town, along with $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 for OMERS and $265.84 in other benefits. As far as expenses were concerned, she got $131.41 for office supplies and $847.18 for her mobile phone. She received a total of $40,977 from the Town.
Along with her salary from Peel, Innis received $9,772.74 in benefits and $6,656.50 for expenses. As well, she received $1,689.09 in remuneration for sitting on Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as well as $1,045 for expenses. That brought her municipal income to $114,455.68.
Councillor Annette Groves’ remuneration included her salary, $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 for OMERS and $265.84 in other benefits. Her expenses included $282.38 for office supplies and $906.37 for her mobile phone, for a total package from the Town of $41,187.16.
Along with her Regional salary, she received $9,772.74 in benefits and $8,404.56 for expenses for total municipal remuneration of $113,679.81.
Councillor Doug Beffort was paid his salary by the town, along with $473.37 in benefits, $265.84 in other benefits, $214.71 for office supplies and $394.91 for his mobile phone for a total of $37,394.93.
Councillor Gord McClure’s salary was combined with $473.37 in benefits, $265.84 in other benefits, and $252.68 for his mobile phone for a total package of $37,037.99.
Councillor Nick deBoer received his salary, along with $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 in contributions to OMERS, $265.84 in other benefits, $2,788.99 for training, development and seminars and $299.49 for his mobile phone. His total came to $43,086.89.
Councillor Rob Mezzapelli was paid his salary, plus $1,501.72 in benefits, $2,184.75 for OMERS, $265.84 in other benefits, $517.89 in office supplies and $688.57 for his mobile phone, for a total of $41,204.87.