Moncton mayor, councillors approve their own pay hikes for 2017

Moncton citycouncil will see their salariesrise collectively by about $100,000 next year after voting on the pay hike at a meeting Monday.

The bylaw was passed following the recommendations of a citizens committee, the"enhanced democracy committee," which was approved lastApril.

By 2017, Moncton councillors will earn $33,494.53, an increase from their current salary of $24,789.72.

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Mayor Dawn Arnold, who had voted against the pay hike before the 2016 municipal election, will see her payincrease by$14,000, making her salary$83,736.33.

The deputy mayor's annual salary will jump to $37,244.53 from $28,539.72.

Increasing responsibilities for councillors

Deputy Mayor Blair Lawrence said the committee's report suggested acouncillor's salary should be in line with executives of non-profit organisations in Canada, divided by two.

Lawrence cited the growing list of responsibilities of councillors as justification for the pay raise.

Lawrence also said the increase in wages will help encourage more citizens to run for council.

"Imagine a young professional who has to give up a significant salary to sit as a councillor, a single mother who cannot provide daycare or pay rent on a councillor's salary, or a young professional who is only able to work part time, thinking of leaving our region for work but is interested in municipal governance," Lawrence said.

"This may indeed be what the need is at present for them to present themselves at election time."

Arnold rejects, then supports bylaw

Arnold, who had opposed the recommendation to increase salaries when she was a councillor and hoping to become mayor, voted in favour of the bylaw on Monday.

The change of heartwas because previously she was unsure about the role of the mayor.

"At that time there was no definition of what a mayor did at all in it and the whole focus was on what councillors do," she said.

"So at that time I could not find out any information on what the role of the mayor was and it just said that it was 2.5 times of what a councillor made, so on that basis I did not feel that I could support it at that time."

Councillors Shawn Crossman, Bryan Butler and Paul Pellerin voted against the measure.