Calgary mayor, councillors considering salary freeze for 2025 and beyond
Calgary city councillors appear set to discuss a potential salary freeze for 2025 and beyond at a meeting next week.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced she added an item to Tuesday’s meeting agenda proposing to freeze the salaries of all council members at 2024 levels this year.
“We are all aware of the economic pressures that our citizens currently face—increased living costs, from groceries to utilities, weigh heavily on families throughout our city,” Gondek said in a statement Friday.
“In light of these challenges, it is not appropriate for us, as elected officials, to accept any pay increases this year. Instead, we must lead by example, demonstrating fiscal responsibility and solidarity with the community we serve.”
Meanwhile, Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharpe, along with councillors Dan McLean, Terry Wong and Andre Chabot, announced another motion taking the pause further, freezing salaries at the 2024 rate through 2030.
Speaking Friday, Sharpe said the move would go hand-in-hand with other cost-saving measures.
“It shows that members of council want to show fiscal responsibility when we’re actually asking administration to look for efficiencies,” Sharpe said.
“So, if we’re asking them to look for efficiencies, this is an opportunity for us to also hold ourselves accountable and demonstrate that we also are looking for efficiencies on our own.”
Councillors just received another pay bump, marking the fourth consecutive year of salary increases.
As of Jan. 1, the mayor and councillors received a 3.07 per cent raise, bringing the total increase since 2022 to 9.5 per cent.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s salary now sits at nearly $220,298, while councillors’ salaries have risen to approximately $124,462 annually.
Sharpe said she wasn’t aware of the mayor’s plans for a freeze in 2025 until it was announced on Friday morning. Her motion is currently being reviewed by city clerks.
“If you sit in this horseshoe and talk about how Calgarians are in an affordability crisis, they can’t afford to live here, we need housing, this is your opportunity to put your money where your mouth is,” Sharpe said.
Council compensation is determined by a citizen committee based on Alberta’s average weekly earnings, a system established before the last election. This means salaries fluctuate with the province’s economic performance.
“Maintaining our current salary levels for another year is a responsible choice, not a dismissal of the established formula but an acknowledgment of the economic conditions impacting the people of Calgary,” Gondek said.
With files from CTV News Calgary’s Tyson Fedor
View original article here Source
FOLLOWMOON 316L Surgical Steel Nose Rings Hoop Septum Clicker Hinged Segment Ring Lip Ear Piercing Earrings for Cartilage Helix Tragus Conch Rook 20g 18g 16g 14g 12g 10g 8g,Inner Diameter 5mm to 22mm
$10.99 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
GUM Advanced Care Flosser Picks, Infused with Vitamin E & Fluroide, Fresh Mint Flavour, Blue, 150 Flossers (1 Bag)
$5.99 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca Gift Card in a Mini Envelope (Various Designs)
$10.00 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Fuzzy Hygge: Cute and Cozy Coloring Book for Adults & Teens Featuring Adorable Animals Characters for Stress Relief
$10.99 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Pampers Diapers Size 6, 108 Count - Pampers Swaddlers Disposable Baby Diapers (Packaging & Prints May Vary)
$37.79 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ring Sizer Adjuster for Loose Rings - Fits Bands Up to 6mm - Reduces Ring by 0.5-1.5 Sizes - 12 Pack by 5 STARS UNITED
$7.99 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Vozobi Women's High Waisted Swim Bottoms Skirts Ruched Bikini Sets Tankini Briefs Swimsuit Shorts Underwear
(as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
PAVOI 14K Gold Plated Sterling Silver CZ Simulated Diamond Stackable Ring Eternity Bands for Women
$18.95 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
ROCKBROS Men's Balaclava Windproof Ski Mask Cold Weather Balaclava Mask Winter Thermal Hood for Skiing Cycling Helmet
$19.99 (as of January 10, 2025 12:34 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)