Esquimalt council will look to an independent third party consultant in January to review whether a realignment is necessary for their salaries.
The question of remuneration is on the table in response to a decision made by the federal government last March to end a tax exemption for municipal elected officials. Since 1947, under the federal Income Tax Act, one-third of an officialB次元官网网址檚 income was collected tax-free, a nod to expenses related to the duties of the position.
According to the 2016 Statement of Financial Information from the Township of Esquimalt, Mayor Barb DesjardinsB次元官网网址� remuneration was $48,225.20. Each of the six councillors collected $20,779.60 for their service.
At the Dec. 11 council meeting, Coun. Susan Low B次元官网网址� who will not be running in next OctoberB次元官网网址檚 municipal election B次元官网网址� voiced support for the review.
B次元官网网址淭his is downloading tax burden onto the local government level,B次元官网网址� Low said, stressing she doesnB次元官网网址檛 want the federal government to think it can do so without anyone taking notice.
To maintain the mayor and councillorsB次元官网网址� current remuneration, council will consider raises to offset losses now that the entire salary from the Township is taxable.
Coun. Olga Liberchuk also supported the motion, saying people need to be compensated appropriately for the work they do.
B次元官网网址淲e just to make sure B次元官网网址� that we ensure we attract candidates from all walks of life with various incomes, and that itB次元官网网址檚 not just reserved for people who are privileged enough to be able to afford a low wage at the council table,B次元官网网址� she said.
In Langley, a similar review was conducted before council voted unanimously to increase the mayorB次元官网网址檚 remuneration by 11 per cent in 2019, while councillors will receive a salary that is 45 per cent of the mayorB次元官网网址檚.
