Beginning in May, Victoria city council passed a motion that would have a task force make recommendations for a possible pay increase for sitting councillors.
This was controversial because many residents of Victoria spoke out in belief that the sitting city councillors should not be able to give themselves a pay raise.
Initially, the motion which was passed was calling for a pay raise that would bring councillors to 50% of the mayor’s salary, which is $131,050.
After the task force finished their recommendations, the matter was brought back before council on Thursday, August 1st.
The city council approved the recommendations which would increase the mayor’s salary to $133,147, and subsequently bring the councillors’ salary up to $53,259. This represents 45% of the mayor’s salary.
However, the pay raise will not come into effect until after the next municipal election in 2026.
In addition to the pay raise, some other recommendations were approved by council that will affect the council and mayor’s compensation.
The other remuneration recommendations that were approved are:
- Councillors will each receive have access to $5,000 annually for travel, education and training
- Staff will explore health and wellness benefits for councillors
- Councillors be paid an additional $1,750 while in the role of Acting Mayor (per month)
- To realign the mayor’s salary against other Canadian capital cities and to maintain the 45% rate of that salary for councillors
- Staff will explore solutions to broaden administrative support for councillors
- Staff will explore flat rate per diems for councillors when attending committees and/or conferences
Following this remuneration approval, annual pay increases will be in line with inflation.
