Ontario’s annual Sunshine List, which discloses the salaries of public sector employees earning $100,000 or more, revealed significant increases in compensation across the province for the year 2024. Released on March 28, 2025, the list recorded a staggering 377,666 individuals, marking a 25% jump from the previous year’s total of 300,680. This increase has sparked discussions regarding public sector compensation and fiscal responsibility.
The highest earner on the list was Ken Hartwick, the former President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), who took home over $2 million, more than double the salary of the second-highest paid employee. Following Hartwick, the list included notable figures such as former Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster, who earned more than $883,000, and Kevin Smith, the current CEO of United Health Network, who had a similar salary.
Among other prominent names, Ontario Premier Doug Ford earned $209,974, significantly less than his chief of staff, Patrick Sackville, who made $328,098. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow reported a salary of $225,093, while Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Demkiw earned $394,228. This year’s Sunshine List reflects a broad spectrum of public sector employees, including hospital executives, school board officials, and municipal leaders.
Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, noted that nearly half of the growth in the Sunshine List was driven by the education sector, particularly school boards, where teachers contributed to 87% of this increase. “The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996 requires organizations that receive public funding from the Province of Ontario to disclose the names, positions, salaries, and total taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more each year,” Mulroney stated.
In Thunder Bay, the Sunshine List revealed a 9.2% increase in the number of public sector employees earning over $100,000, jumping from 640 to 699. This increase included several high-ranking officials, with Police Chief Darcy Fleury topping the list at $310,000, followed by Sergeant Justin Dubuc at $267,087, and Deputy Chief Ryan Hughes, who earned $241,465. The city’s former manager, Norm Gale, earned $237,229 before his retirement, while his successor, John Collin, earned $155,769 for part of the year.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre reported 843 employees on the Sunshine List, up from 777 the previous year. CEO Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott was the highest earner in the region, taking home $475,092. St. Joseph’s Care Group had 305 employees on the list, with CEO Janine Black earning $384,276. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit also contributed to the list with 25 employees, led by Janet DeMille, who earned $333,794.
Education saw notable increases as well, with Lakehead University listing 408 employees, including President Gillian Siddall, who earned $360,000. Confederation College reported 171 employees, featuring former President Kathleen Lynch at $270,904 and current President Michelle Sala at $226,834. The Lakehead District School Board saw a dramatic increase to 527 employees on the list, up from 268 the previous year, with Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand earning $237,098. Similarly, the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board reported a rise to 514 employees, with former Director Pino Tassone earning $237,000, and incoming Director Jean-Paul Tennier earning $193,995.
As the Sunshine List continues to expand, it raises questions about the sustainability of public sector compensation. Critics argue that the $100,000 threshold for salary disclosure, established in 1996, should be adjusted for inflation, which would place it at approximately $180,249 in today’s dollars. However, successive governments have opted not to raise this threshold, leading to discussions about the implications of such a large number of high earners in the public sector.
The Sunshine List is not just a reflection of salaries; it also serves as a tool for transparency and accountability within the public sector. The list is made publicly available each year, allowing taxpayers to see how their money is being spent and who is benefiting from public funds. This year’s list, which encompasses over 377,000 public sector employees, continues to fuel discussions regarding public sector compensation, fiscal responsibility, and the escalating costs of public services.
Overall, the 2024 Sunshine List exemplifies the growth of compensation within Ontario’s public sector, highlighting the significant salaries of top earners while also prompting a broader conversation about the sustainability of such increases. As the province grapples with these issues, the implications for public policy and future salary disclosures remain to be seen.
