Civil servant salaries rose almost $12 million in 2006 across Peel
By MARK PAVILONS Editor

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for."

Will Rogers

Alas, Peel (Caledon) taxpayers dished out a record-setting $67.46 million to members of the "century club" in 2006.

The salaries of civil servants who earn $100,000 or more annually were Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act of 1996. The purpose of the law, and release of salaries, is to provide a more open and accountable system of government, allowing taxpayers to "compare the performance of an organization with the compensation given to the people running it," according to the Ministry of Finance.

The cost of the 605 civil servants in three of Peel's largest bodies, rose $11.83 million over 2005. The "century club" added 104 members to its total.

This phenomenal amount of money, and the raises some of these civil servants receive, far outpace the rate of inflation. In contrast, the total salaries in Peel alone rival the GDP of many Third World countries.

As well, a handful of Peel-based civil servants earn more annually than Premier Dalton McGuinty ($158,000 in 2006, but will rise to $200,000 this year) and Prime Minister Stephen Harper (his salary as PM is $151,800 and starting this month, he will receive another $151,800 as an MP).

Region of Peel

The venerable Region of Peel shot to the front of the pack in 2006, adding 92 club members and increasing its payout to this elite group by $10.46 million over the previous year.

However, the majority of top wage-earners belong to the Peel Regional Police Services Board.

The highest-paid position in the Region of Peel is that of Peel Police Chief Michael Metcalfe, who pulled in $224,971. Colleague Larry Button, CAO of the Police Services Board, took number-three spot with a salary of $192,732 and $11,458 in benefits. Associate Administrator Thomas Banks pulled in $163,621, followed by Deputy Chief Paul Tetzlaff, $157,998 and staff superintendent Michael Stephenson, $157,753. Next were Frederick Biro, executive director, with $156,504 and staff superintendent Thomas Allen, $154,605.

Senior staffers at the Region of Peel were no slouches either.

Peel CAO David Szwarc was the number-two man, earning $222,533.43 and $15,382.46 in benefits. Next was public works commissioner Mitch Zamojc with $177,598.61 and $14,128.74 in benefits.

Not far behind was Peel treasurer Daniel Labreque with a salary of $175,070.23 and benefits of $11,904.41. Solicitor and corporate services commissioner R. Kent Gillespie was next in line, with $170,110.61 and $10,813.19 in benefits.

Caledon's Emil Kolb, Peel chair, earned $158,567.49.

Next was Laura Nashman, commissioner of People, Information and Technology, with a salary of $157,969.51 and $11,785.13 in benefits.

This year, three advance care paramedics made the list, earning more than $100,000.

Peel District

School Board

Trying hard to keep up were employees of the Peel District School Board. A total of 208 civil servants were in the elite club, earning $21.84 million. Their ranks rose only slightly over 2005 - 16 members and roughly $1 million in salaries.

The top dog at the board is education director Jim Grieve, who earned $204,580-.24 and $11,546.78 in benefits.

Next was Wayne McNally, associate director, operational support, who earned $175,112. In 2005, McNally earned $166,403.

Judith Nyman, associate director, instructional support, made $168,926.70.

Superintendent education Tony Pontes and superintendent alternative programs Ian Adamson earned $152,165.95 each. Superintendent Allison Clinton made $152,005.45.

The average salary for a principal in the Peel board is $103,583.74, with several earning $108,000.

Dufferin-Peel

Catholic DSB

The cash-strapped Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board had 156 members of the club in 2006, earning a total of $17.36 million. It was up only slightly from 2005 (3 employees and roughly $300,000).

Director Michael Bator was leader of the pack with a salary of $200,962.

Associate director John Kostoff earned $161,785, while by associate director Ralph Borelli made $158,284.

A tribe of superintendents - John Fitzgibbon, Elizabeth McGuire, Michael McPhee, Sheila McWatters, John Melito and Vincent Nichilo - each earned $147,781.

Principals at the separate board earn between $103,000 and $111,000. But vice-principal William Welch earned $117,692.24 last year.

Five teachers made the list this year. They included Roberta DiLallo, $102,629.65; Sergio Divenosa, $109,825.32; Joyce Huber, $100,263.18; Henry Koh, $102,328.90; Mary Schroder, $100,129.05.

The entire list, from across the province, can be viewed on the Ministry of Finance's Web site, at www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/p ublications/salarydisclosure/ 2007/index.html. Also, each body has a printed list available to the public, but there may be a charge.