Members of Burnaby’s city council have voted unanimously to give themselves pay raises, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be taking home more money.
In February, city staff recommended a raise of $8,900 for each councillor and $37,075 for Mayor Mike Hurley. They estimated the raises would cost the city an extra $110,000 per year.
Staff said the pay increases would offset the elimination of a tax break by the federal government that exempted one third of local politicians’ gross pay from income taxes. As of Jan. 1, 2019, they have to pay tax on every dollar they make, meaning they take home less cash.
Council opted not to vote on the recommendation in February and instead created a three-person independent advisory committee to review the staff report. The review panel held three meetings in March and April and ultimately agreed with city staff’s recommendations.
The pay raises will be retroactive to Jan. 1.
In 2017, then-Mayor Derek Corrigan made $132,576 before taxes, plus a $16,691 transportation allowance and $17,945 in benefits. That same year, councillors were paid $60,000 plus a $4,320 transportation allowance.
According to Burnaby city staff, most municipalities across the country have already approved pay increases for mayors and councillors to offset the tax change.
