KITCHENER — Waterloo Regional Council has approved a substantial pay increase for committee chairs starting next term, operating under the principle of “extra pay for extra responsibility.” The decision marks a significant departure from the advice of an independent consultant, who had recommended that council salary increases be capped at a modest 3% to keep pace with inflation. Instead, the council passed an amendment introduced by Councillor Colleen James, which will see the stipend for chairing a committee jump by approximately 89%.
Under the newly approved structure, the base salary for a Regional Councillor—currently sitting around $50,000—will remain the same, but those serving as committee chairs will receive an additional annual stipend of approximately $13,000. Councillor James defended the move by stating that the increase ensures parity with the compensation received by members of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board. She emphasized that the hike is a necessary recognition of the intense workload and additional administrative duties that chairs must juggle alongside their standard council responsibilities.
The decision has sparked a degree of friction within the council chambers. Several members, including Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, expressed dissatisfaction with the move, questioning the optics of ignoring an independent consultant’s recommendations. Critics argued that since these roles are officially designated as part-time positions, such a sharp increase in compensation might be difficult to justify to the public. Despite these objections, the majority of the council felt the adjustment was a fair reflection of the “hard work” required for the roles.
These changes are set to take effect following the municipal elections scheduled for October 26, 2026. However, the future of the council’s structure remains somewhat uncertain. The provincial government is currently exploring the possibility of directly appointing regional chairs across Ontario rather than holding democratic elections for the position. If implemented, this provincial shift could lead to a major overhaul of how Waterloo’s regional government functions just as the new pay scales are being introduced.
