What job can you get hired for where you get a pay raise before you even show up to work? Get elected to Halifax Regional council and that's exactly what you'll get.
New councilors being sworn in today were rewarded last week with a big raise of 7% , while the new Mayor will get about 6% more.
It’s absurd that Halifax Regional Councilors will be getting a pay raise even before they show up to work. The CTF is urging the new council to reject their pay raises and instead get to work solving the problems of the city.
Council’s salary increases are determined each year based on a formula set out in 2004. The formula compares the salaries of Halifax Councilors with other jurisdictions across Canada. That formula has resulted in some big pay increases each and every year. This year, for example, councilors will receive an increase of $5,000 from $72,000 to $77,000 and the Mayor’s salary will go up $9,000 from $150,000 to $159,000. The pay increases came into force on November 1st, 2012.
The CTF recommends that the current formula to set Council salaries be scrapped and instead, all salaries and benefits be set once every four years prior to an election by a new citizens committee.
Lots of politicians promised change in this year’s elections, but now on the day they are sworn in, there is one change they seem unwilling to make…one to their own rich entitlements.
You can find a copy of the pay formula HERE
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey