On Friday afternoon, the province released its list of top earners in the employ of the public sector.
This year, 61 city staffers have made what’s become known as the Sunshine List - a public disclosure of all public-sector employees who make more than $100,000 annually.
Meanwhile, there are 185 people who work at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) on this year’s list.
Among the top 20 earners from the municipality and the hospital, 13 work at OSMH.
President/CEO Carmine Stumpo leads the way among hospital staff, earning a salary of $290,169.
Close behind is Nancy Merrow, the chief of staff and vice-president of medical affairs, who earned $270,890 in 2020.
There are several dozen city staffers who now make above 100,000. Topping the list once again this year is city CAO, Gayle Jackson, who earned $221,449 last year.
Others from the municipality among the top local public-sector earners include:
- Andrew Schell (general manager of environment and infrastructure services) - $181,244.64
- Ian Sugden (general manager of development services and engineering) - $178,902
- Ray Merkley (general manager of community services) - $165,931
- Lori Bolton (director of human resources) - $157.696
- Jim Lang (treasurer) - $153,275
- Brent Thomas (fire chief) - $144,791
Both Lang and Merkley recently retired.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, earned $363,219 in 2020. Dr. Lisa Simon, the health unit’s associate medical officer of health, earned $331,563.61, while Dr. Colin Lee, also an associate medical officer of health, was paid $277,669.
The CAO of Simcoe County, Mark Aitken, earned $282,200 last year. He is among 252 County of Simcoe employees on the 2020 list.
Aitken is followed by health and emergency services general manager Jane Sinclair ($222,170), general manager of engineering, planning and environment Deborah Korolnek ($215,657), corporate performance general manager Trevor Wilcox ($220,562), social and community services general manager Gregory Bishop ($209,784), and senior counsel Marshall Green ($200,170).
Simcoe County's director and chief of paramedic services Andrew Robert made $172,846.
There are 506 Simcoe County District School Board employees on the 2020 Sunshine List.
Director of education Steve Blake tops the list at the public board with $276,582. Associate director John Dance made $224,082. Superintendent of program and special education Chris Samis made $208,259.
There are 423 Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board employees on the list.
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board director of education Brian Beal made $247,650 last year. He retired from the position in July of 2020.
The director of education for Conseil Scolaire Viamonde Martin Bertrand made $229,281. The director of education for Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir Andrew Blais made $223,282.
Rob Armstrong, the recently retired CEO of the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka, made almost $211,000 in 2020.
There are more than 5,000 OPP employees on the list; those range from front-line officers to those working in supervisory and management positions throughout Ontario.
The highest-paid OPP employee is physician Andrew Reed, who earned $395,951 last year. Second is OPP commissioner Thomas Carrique, who earned $321,267 last year.
Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Penetanguishene has 189 employees on the list, topped by Dr. Kevin Young ($427,044), psychiatrist Dr. Plabon Ismail ($399,554) and Dr. Katherine McKay ($395,185). The Waypoint list also featured numerous program and department managers, pharmacists, registered nurses, psychiatrists and physicians. CEO Carol Lambie was paid $318,300.
Topping this year's list is Kenneth Hartwick, president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, who earned $1,228,517 in 2020.
Since 1996, public sector organizations (including municipalities) have been required to disclose the salaries, names, and positions of employees paid $100,000 or more in a calendar year.
To see this year’s list, click here.
--With files from Jessica Owen
