Etobicoke Centre Councillor Stephen Holyday was among eight councillors who voted against a hefty pay raise.
Ward 3’s Amber Morley and other councillors are taking a beating online from outraged residents for boldly giving themselves a hefty 24 per cent raise.
More than 200 people have taken to social media express their outrage over councillors’ voting 18 to 5 in favour of a raise that would hike their annual salary of $137,537 to about $170,588.
The pay raise and benefits for Councillors adds almost $1 million to City coffers despite a huge $1.8 billion deficit that led to an eight per cent property tax increase.
Mayor Olivia Chow said the raise was ‘steep,’ seen here with Budget Chief Shelley Carroll.
Etobicoke Centre Councillor Doug Holyday was one of eight councillors who opposed the pay raise.
Resident Joanne Sigglekow wrote that homeowner’s taxes have increased significantly two years in a row.
“Other city services have increased and homelessness is on the rise in our communities,” she said. “The economic future is bleak. The tariffs are just getting underway and many will lose their jobs.”
No one in government should be voting to give themselves 25 per cent salary increases during these times, she said.
The pay raise will see a pay hike for Councillor Amber Morley from $137,537 to $170,588 annually with less than three years on the job.
“Typical politician,” said Wendy Patchett. “In it for the money! From Ottawa right down to the dog catcher.”
Paul Buttigieg said Morley’s decision to vote yes for a pay increase is both insensitive and out of touch with the reality of the citizens she represents.
“Such a decision undermines the trust between elected officials and the people who elected them,” he said.
Lucy Lu asked when minimum wage went up that much.
“Canada Post employees went on strike for asking for less than that and didn’t get it,” Lu said. “Other Unions didn’t get anything close to that either.”
Long-time councillor Gord Perks also voted against the pay increase.
Kathy Stafford called the pay raises ‘abhorrent and disgraceful.’
“Property taxes increased 9.5 per cent last year and then there were water and sewage tax increases on top,” Stafford explained. “The city is fighting with unions not to increase pays but they ‘will’ themselves an increase.”
She urged voters to remember the councillors who voted for the increase.
The councillors who voted against the increases were Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Frances Nunziata, and Gord Perks all voted against the motion.