Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson Orders a Rreview of Council Remuneration; on the Same Day Sworn in to a Third Term;

with of course, the expectation he and the councillors as well would get a “Bump” in Pay, Perks, Pensions and OTHER benefits.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson ordered a review of council remuneration; On the same day sworn in to a third term, with of course, the expectation he and the councillors as well would get a “Bump” in Pay, Perks, Pensions and OTHER benefits.

As Expected, Vancouver mayor orders review ofcouncil’s pay, benefits:

·         Gregor Robertson suggests roles have become more demanding: On the same day, he was sworn in to a third term; Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson ordered an independent review of council remuneration, with the expectation councillors will get a bump in pay and benefits.

·        Robertson said on Monday the review will also look at his decision to name Councillor Andrea Reimer as a deputy mayor and Councillor Raymond Louie as an acting mayor for the next year, and to consider special payments for councillors assigned to a rotating monthly schedule of duties. City legislation now only allows SPECIAL compensation to a councillor named as a deputy mayor for the additional role.

Speaking to reporters immediately after the swearing-in ceremony at Creekside Community Centre, Robertson said he thinks HIS council members are expected to do far more than politicians were when the council remuneration and expenses bylaws were last updated in 1995. In light of his pledge to engage with the public more (as good excuses as any others), councillors will be busier as they get out into the community, he said. “Frankly, the compensation system is 20 years old. If you look at how that job has changed, it used to be a part-time job and people generally had to have second jobs to make a go in Vancouver as a councillor. Nowadays, with the advent of email and social media and the extraordinary need for more engagement in the neighbourhoods, it is an intense job for people to carry,” he said. “I think it is appropriate that we do review that … and have a third party assess whether the compensation is fair and whether the pensions and benefits are an issue to be dealt with, and have recommendations come back.”