The Ontario government has released its annual Public Sector Salary Disclosure, commonly known as the Sunshine List, highlighting public sector employees who earned $100,000 or more in 2023. The list, published on March 29, 2024, provides transparency on government salaries across various sectors, including education, healthcare, municipalities, and provincial agencies.
Key Findings from the 2024 Sunshine List
The total number of employees on the list has increased compared to previous years, continuing a trend of salary growth in the public sector.
Top earners include hospital executives, university presidents, police chiefs, and senior bureaucrats.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) executives once again dominated the top of the list, with the highest-paid public servant earning over $1 million.
Premier Doug Ford, who earns a salary of approximately $208,974, remains far below many of Ontario’s top public sector earners.
Local Impact and Notable Inclusions
In municipalities across Ontario, including Cobourg and Northumberland County, senior administrators, police officers, and educators feature prominently on the list. In healthcare, hospital executives and physicians make up a significant portion of high earners. The education sector also sees many principals, superintendents, and college/university faculty surpassing the $100,000 threshold.
Public Reaction and Government Response
The release of the Sunshine List often sparks debate over public sector wages, with some critics arguing that salary increases are outpacing inflation and private sector earnings. Others defend the figures, citing the need to retain top talent in critical public services.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy acknowledged concerns about rising costs but defended the salaries, emphasizing the importance of competitive compensation in attracting skilled professionals.
The full 2024 Sunshine List is available on the Ontario government’s website for public review.
Cobourg’s Public Servants who make over $100,000 (Sunshine List)