Metro Vancouver mayors’ compensation needs to be reviewed, councillors say

A handful of Metro Vancouver councillors have come forward saying that it’s time to review the compensation for many local mayors.

New Westminster Coun. Daniel Fontaine says there is no reason why many mayors in the region are earning more than provincial cabinet ministers, who have a maximum base pay of $172,112 as of 2023.

“We see some of the mayors in the Metro region are earning close to $400,000 a year, so it’s excessive,” Fontaine said. “It is beyond what the public would expect from our local mayors and politicians, and it needs to end.”

The councillors say that according to 2023 financial reporting, the highest-paid mayor was Burnaby’s Mike Hurley, who made $330,704 in base pay and per diems, not including benefits such as a car allowance. This is followed by Richmond’s Malcolm Brodie ($312,030), George Harvie of Delta ($291,402), and Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West ($276,437).

Metro Vancouver salaries have been the subject of public focus over the last year, with a recent Deloitte report finding public confidence is at risk of erosion due to the mayors’ excessive compensation.

“Almost universally, people tell me they are frustrated,” Fontaine said.

“They wish they had the ability to have more direct control over these elected officials.”

He goes on to say that the public isn’t impressed with the massive cost overruns at Metro Vancouver projects, such as the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, and he says public sector salaries need to match the work.

The board is set to meet on Friday to discuss adjustments to director compensation, including the elimination of double payments for meetings lasting more than four hours, but Fontaine says the proposed changes aren’t enough.