Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 22/01) - City councillors are expected to vote in favour of striking a committee to examine council size and salaries.
Monday's vote will be the latest step in a process that began in April when council members proposed the Council Structure and Remuneration Review Committee.
Nominees for the five-member committee come from different sectors within the community: David Connelly, Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce; Bob Haywood; Federation of Labour, Judge R.M. Bourassa, to represent the Judiciary; David Hamilton from the Legislative Assembly speaker's office; former councillor Robert Slaven; and Rick Upton, citizen at large.
If approved, the committee will likely report back to council by September.
According to Coun. Alan Woytuik the committee will likely get the nod.
"I haven't heard any objections from council," Woytuik said. "I certainly don't have any objections."
Council has not received an increase in remuneration since 1992.
In comparison
Even then, Yellowknife councillors and the mayor are paid relatively well when compared to Whitehorse municipal politicians.
The total salary for a Yellowknife councillor is $13,725. A councillor in Whitehorse receives an annual payment package of $13,363.
Whitehorse's mayor receives a total salary of $66,800 a year.
In contrast, Yellowknife's mayor is paid $82,983 in salary, tax free municipal officer's allowance, housing and fuel allowances, and vacation pay.
Besides smaller salaries, Whitehorse's city council only has six members compared to Yellowknife's eight.
Coun. Robert Hawkins said he favours the review but is worried that councillors feel forced to accept its recommendations.
"I'm afraid we will look hypocritical if we do not endorse the Committee's recommendations," said Hawkins.
"I'm 100 per cent with the review, but the problem is that we should have the opportunity not to take the raises if they recommend them."
Hawkins also doesn't want to see council reduced in size.
"I'm concerned that we'll lose valuable community perspectives whether we agree with them or not," Hawkins said.
Former mayor Mike Ballantyne said forming the committee was a good idea.
"I've always thought the mayor should get more money," said Ballantyne.
"Over the next 25 years, you will get a very good quality of person if the mayor's salary is equivalent to the private sector."
