THUNDER BAY – The release of Ontario’s 2024 Sunshine List reveals a substantial increase in public sector employees earning over $100,000 in Thunder Bay.
The City of Thunder Bay saw 699 employees reach this threshold, a 9.2% jump from the previous year’s 640.
While some have suggested that the Sunshine List needs to see an increase in the pay from the current $100k, it remains the benchmark.
Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, issued the following statement:
“Today, the Ontario government released the salaries of Ontario Public Service and broader public sector employees who were paid $100,000 or more in 2024. Compensation in sectors that saw the largest year-over-year increases can be attributed to across-the-board salary adjustments, retroactive payments made in the 2024 calendar year and the most recent collective bargaining outcomes. Nearly half of the growth on the list was driven by the school board sector, with teachers contributing to 87 per cent of this increase”.
“The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996 requires organizations that receive public funding from the Province of Ontario to make public, by March 31 each year, the names, positions, salaries and total taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more in the previous calendar year.
“The Act applies to the provincial government, Crown agencies and corporations, Ontario Power Generation and subsidiaries, publicly funded organizations such as hospitals, municipalities, school boards, universities and colleges, and not-for-profit organizations that receive $1 million or more, or receive between $120,000 and $1 million if the provincial government funding they receive is 10 per cent or more of their gross revenues.
Thunder Bay’s Top Earners
Police Chief Darcy Fleury topped the city’s earners at $310,000, followed by Sergeant Justin Dubuc ($267,087) and Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes ($241,465).
Commissioner of Community Services Kelly Robertson also earned $241,465.
Thunder Bay’s former City Manager Norm Gale earned $237,229 before his mid-year retirement, while his replacement, John Collin, earned $155,769 for his partial year.
Fire Chief David Paxton, appointed in June, earned $189,767.
Healthcare Sees Continued Growth in High Earners
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre reported 843 employees on the list, up from 777 in 2022. CEO Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott was the top regional earner at $475,092. St. Joseph’s Care Group listed 305 employees, with CEO Janine Black earning $384,276. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit listed 25 employees, led by Medical Officer of Health and CEO Janet DeMille at $333,794.
Education Sector Experiences Notable Increases
Lakehead University listed 408 employees, with President Gillian Siddall earning $360,000. Confederation College reported 171 employees, including former President Kathleen Lynch ($270,904) and current President Michelle Sala ($226,834). The Lakehead District School Board saw a dramatic increase to 527 employees, up from 268 in 2022, with Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand earning $237,098. The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board also saw a rise to 514 employees, up from 355, with former Director Pino Tassone earning $237,000 and incoming Director Jean-Paul Tennier earning $193,995.
The Sunshine List, encompassing over 377,000 Ontario public sector employees, continues to fuel discussions regarding public sector compensation, fiscal responsibility, and the escalating costs of public services.
The list which is searchable is available at Sunshine List.
