Cambridge’s mayor earns more than projected, councillors fall short: Report
Posted Feb 3, 2026 07:06:07 AM.
Last Updated Feb 3, 2026 06:13:58 PM.
Mayor Jan Liggett is making more money than what estimates have projected, while city councillors are making less, a new report shows.
The details are from an analysis by Sheila M. Jones of Vox Verita Consulting, an independent consultant, who was brought on by the City of Cambridge to look into the salaries of its elected officials.
According to the report, Mayor Liggett makes $135,607 as an annual salary through her full-time position, but the model’s “complexity-adjusted role-value” shows that she should be making $124,255, which is 8.4 per cent less than what she currently earns.
That compares with city councillors, with it noting they earn $56,206 through their part-time salaried position, but should be earning $59,827, or around 6.4 per cent more than they’re currently making.
“The comprehensive review approach includes benchmarking to peer municipalities, member of council interviews and time use surveys, gaining an understanding of member of council responsibilities, and the development of a role-value based compensation determination model,” the report stated.
The figures were compared to similar municipalities, council interviews, time use surveys, and more, to develop that “role-value based compensation determination model.”
“The determination of council compensation requires a defensible, evidence-based approach reflecting the complexity of municipal governance, the time and responsibility expected of elected officials, and fairness relative to what residents in the community earn,” the report stated. “In pegging compensation to median full-time income, it aligns council pay in residents’ economic reality.”
A few recommendations from the consultant, including:
- A one-time salary increase of approximately $3,620 per councillor’s salary in the first year of the new term of council, effective Jan. 1.
- The base salary for the mayor’s position remains unchanged due to it being higher than the model’s recommended salary.
It added that both positions will then be subject to annual increases based on the province’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), to maintain alignment with the role’s value alongside inflation and economic changes.
The report also goes further to recommend other various changes, ranging from more specific job descriptions for councillor and mayoral positions to better reporting for council attendance during meetings.
Mayors across Waterloo Region also earn around $49,000 for sitting on Region of Waterloo council, paid further for additional committee work.
It comes not long after Waterloo city council approved a 32 per cent pay increase for councillors in the future, raising the salary for councillors to $58,400 each year, and the mayor earning around $132,500.
While those recommendations are set to be brought forward to city council on Tuesday, Jan. 3, they are simply that: recommendations. No decisions are set to be tabled, and nothing will be approved during the meeting.
Cambridge councillors will have the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on those findings during the meeting, potentially leading to changes at a future council meeting.
