Why won't councillors give back pay raise?

Politicians' pay. It's always a touchy issue — and before the last municipal election in 2006, city council approved a plan where politicians would receive a cost-of-living increase every January. This year, 18 councillors and the mayor have voluntarily declined the 2.42 per cent hike, which for a councillor raises the salary to $99,153.60 from $96,805. The mayor's is frozen at $163,040. But given the economic climate, the city's finances and now the strike, some opposition councillors have repeatedly tried to freeze councillors' salaries this year, with no success. Debate on the freeze never made it to the council floor. In an ironic twist, the executive committee – which is controlled by the mayor – declined to tackle politicians' pay at the same meeting where pay for the city's managers and non-union staff was frozen.... [read full story]                    

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