Guelph Council Passes Nearly 12% Pay Raise Amid Rising Tax Pressure

At a time when more residents are struggling to keep up with rising costs, Guelph council voted to approve higher pay for the next term.

Nearly 3,000 properties in Guelph are in tax arrears, with close to $14 million unpaid – yet council has approved an 11.88 per cent pay increase for councillors next term.

The decision, passed in a 7–6 vote, will raise pay for part-time councillors from $52,857 to $59,137, with future increases tied to cost-of-living adjustments for non-union city staff.

The motion was introduced by Leanne Caron and supported by seven members of council, including Erin Caton.

Those voting in favour were Carly Klassen, Cathy Downer, Linda Busuttil, Phil Allt, Katherine Hauser, Leanne Caron and Erin Caton.

The vote follows months of scrutiny over council compensation. A previously proposed 33 per cent pay increase was rejected after drawing public attention. That proposal followed a September 2025 decision by council to expand the group of municipalities used for compensation comparisons, a change that passed 11–1 and altered the benchmark used to justify higher pay.

Under the city’s original comparator framework, councillor pay in Guelph was already at or above the 55th percentile of comparable municipalities.

Caton supported the earlier 33 per cent increase. In the latest vote, she described the approved 11.88 per cent increase as a step forward, while also stating the role remains financially challenging for some.

She has also confirmed she will not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election, citing concerns about compensation and the sustainability of the role as a part-time position.

Guelph councillors are formally classified as part-time, with prior studies indicating an average workload of approximately 20 hours per week.

Caton’s term has included several high-profile issues, including being the only councillor to vote against approving a Princess Auto location in Guelph, as well as being the subject of an Integrity Commissioner report related to social media conduct and expectations around moderating public discussion.

Caron, who introduced the motion, described the increase as aligning with a 2022 council direction to maintain pay at the 55th percentile of comparable municipalities.

According to a city staff report, councillors in Barrie earned $44,276 in 2025, while those in Kingston earned $50,688.

Caton noted that cost-of-living differences should be considered when comparing municipalities, as Guelph itself sits above both the provincial and national average for cost of living.

The vote leaves council approving a nearly 12 per cent increase, with the broader debate over compensation, comparators, and affordability continuing in the city.

As previously decided, the mayor’s salary will not increase beyond standard cost-of-living adjustments next term.

Cover image: Erin Caton. Source: Instagram / Councillor Erin Caton