89% pay increase coming for regional committee chairs next term
Posted Apr 23, 2026 07:36:25 AM.
Last Updated Apr 24, 2026 05:30:26 AM.
Regional councillors who also chair committees are set to get a pay bump next term.
At a regular meeting on Wednesday, council considered the recommendation from an independent consultant that there should be no pay increases for councillors over the next term above 3 per cent annually.
As part of that motion, Councillor Colleen James added an amendment that the chairs of regional committees should receive an 89 per cent pay increase for the work they do as part of that role. James is the chair of the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee.
“Recognizing the extensive work that committee chairs are doing, over and above, with a part-time job, with other work, and some of us with many families, and I’m thinking about the future people who may be sitting in this role having to navigate the same thing,” said James.
She noted that the increase brought the remuneration more in line with what those who sit on the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board are paid. However, some councillors weren’t on board with handing down a pay increase that wasn’t recommended by the outside consultant or a citizens committee.
“Personally, I’m uncomfortable with doing that, especially when we’re talking about an eighty-plus per cent increase from the proposed amount,” said Councillor Berry Vrbanovic.
The region’s three main standing committees typically meet once per month, though the work that is done as part of them extends past the time spent around the regional horseshoe.
Under this proposed increase, councillors who chair a regional committee would receive nearly $13,000 per year on top of the just-over $50,000 per year they receive for their council role. Both of those positions are considered part-time jobs.
“I will admit that all municipal [councillors], I believe, especially those of us that are part-time, are underpaid for the amount of work that is requested now,” said James.
James’ amendment, and the motion to accept the recommendations of the consultant, passed.
The next municipal election comes on October 26 of this year. The pay increases mentioned above will take effect for the individuals elected in the next term.
Significant changes could be coming to regional council as the provincial government considers appointing regional chairs in Waterloo Region, Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, and York rather than by election starting next term.
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