Ottawa Council Proposes Pay Raise Effective November 2026

BREAKING: Ottawa City Councillor Shawn Menard has just announced a proposal for a significant pay raise for the city’s elected officials. If approved, this adjustment would take effect on November 15, 2026, coinciding with the start of the new council term.

During the council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Menard will recommend that staff include a salary adjustment to align with the “average remuneration for comparator municipalities.” This move follows a detailed analysis conducted by MNP Business Consulting and Advisory Services, which revealed that Ottawa’s elected officials earn salaries comparable to those in other Canadian cities.

In his motion, Menard emphasized the necessity of aligning Ottawa councillors’ pay with market standards, stating, “Approving a future adjustment… would provide for the market review approach as recommended in the MNP report.” Currently, Ottawa councillors earn $119,654 annually, while the mayor receives $213,689. Notably, a 2.5 percent increase for 2025 was implemented at the start of the year.

As reported by CTV News Ottawa in July, the council is exploring several pay increase options, including a proposal to elevate councillor salaries to $138,000 per year. However, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe cautioned against immediate consideration of pay raises, reflecting on the ongoing affordability crisis and significant federal job reductions affecting the community. “I think we need to take a look around at what’s going on in the community right now,” Sutcliffe stated, pointing out the increasing lineups at food banks.

This proposed salary adjustment comes after Toronto councillors voted to increase their salaries by 24 percent in March, raising their pay from $137,537 to $170,588. Additionally, the Ontario government recently unfroze salaries for Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), resulting in a raise of nearly $41,000 to a total of $157,350.

The outcome of Wednesday’s council meeting could have significant implications for Ottawa’s political landscape and public perception of elected officials’ compensation amid economic challenges. Observers are urged to follow this developing story closely as the council deliberates on these crucial salary adjustments.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds!