A Victoria city councillor is concerned over the degree of transparency when it comes to the remuneration of councillors, or how much they earn for their council duties.
The last time the Victoria city council approved a retroactive pay increase was in August 2024, to make up for a cancelled pay bump that would have occurred during the pandemic in 2021.
Additionally, the current council voted to provide the next council with a larger increase scheduled to take effect after the 2026 election.
Though what the mayor and council earn in remuneration for their duties is public record, Councillor Marg Gardiner wanted to increase the degree of transparency going forward.
“Transparency is essential to public trust and accountability,” wrote Gardiner in her motion.
She noted that members of Victoria city council are appointed to serve external agencies, regional bodies and other organizations.
“Often, additional financial compensation is paid for such work. To strengthen public confidence in the governance of Victoria, full disclosure should be provided,” continued her motion.
Gardiner’s recommendation is that council direct staff to prepare and publish an annual financial disclosure report for the public via the City’s website, beginning with the 2024 calendar year.
She would like to see this report published in a timely, clear and standardized format that is easily accessible.
As far as detail goes, Gardiner would like this report to share the total compensation received by council members in connection with their City of Victoria duties.
This would include: base City remuneration, including acting mayor stipends, and appointments to external agencies and organizations.
Some of the various external agencies which council members may be a part of and earn remuneration from include: Capital Regional District, Victoria Regional Transit Commission, BC Transit Board, Regional Water Supply Commission, CREST, Board of Cemetery Trustees of Greater Victoria, Regional Housing Trust Fund Commission and Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
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The most recent increase in base remuneration for council duties brought the mayor’s salary up from $131,050 to $133,147 and the councillors’ annual pay rose from $52,420 to $53,259.
The larger pay increase that will take effect after the 2026 municipal election will set councillors’ pay at 45% of the mayor’s salary, up from the previous 40%. This is projected to increase councillors’ annual pay to approximately $58,972.
This pay increase was approved by council following an independent task force’s review of the duties and remuneration of the Victoria city council, as compared to 18 other Canadian cities council’s pay.
Gardiner’s motion will be discussed at this week’s committee of the whole meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 9th.
