Motion approved to increase salaries for Cambridge city councillors

Councillor salaries are going up in Cambridge, while the mayor's will stay the same.

Cambridge city councillors have unanimously approved a motion to increase councillor salaries for the next group that will sit around the horseshoe, though the Mayor’s salary will not go up.

The vote followed an independent review of council compensation by Vox Veritas Consulting. The results were presented at a meeting on Tuesday evening by Shiela Jones from Vox Veritas Consulting.

Councillors will receive a one-time increase of approximately $3,620 in January 2027, raising the base salary to $59,827. Currently councillors receive a base salary of $56,206.

Jones noted that the councillor position is considered a “substantial part-time role.”

The Mayor’s 2026 salary is $135,607. Jones’s review recommending it remain that way, as it exceeds the model recommended base salary of $124,255. The position is considered a full-time role.

The motion also approves annual increases for all salaries based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Jones had recommended the same, noting councillors’ salaries should be anchored at 65 per cent of the local median full-time income, and the mayor’s at 135 per cent.

The changes will apply to those voted into office in the next municipal election, scheduled for October 26, 2026.

Some councillors raised frustration over the fact their role is considered and compensated as part time, when they say they spend many more hours a week fulfilling their responsibilities.

Jones noted councillor roles are not subject to the Ontario Employment Standards Act and are not considered a conventional job.

“That doesn’t diminish that you are spending hours in order to fulfil your commitments. Those hours and the hours you choose to fulfil are fully discretionary on how you as individuals decide to fulfil that duty,” Jones told council.

The cities of Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa have full-time councillors. Some councillors mused whether this should be explored in Cambridge.

Councillors also voted to keep benefits and allowances the same for mayor and council, and that position mandates be developed to define clear expectations around key responsibilities.

The motion also asked staff to include council member attendance in the annual council remuneration report as a measure meant to enhance accountability, transparency and public trust.

Some councillors expressed unhappiness that their attendance records in the latest report did not reflect the reasons why they did not attend a meeting, such as vacation, travel or personal emergencies.

“Every single member of council around this horseshoe is totally dedicated to their job. That’s so true and for anybody to think otherwise based on this attendance, that’s a mistake,” Mayor Jan Liggett said.