Key moments
Ontario has released its 2025 Sunshine List, revealing the salaries of public sector employees and sparking discussions about compensation in the province. Leading the list is Kenneth Hartwick, who earned just over $1.9 million last year, followed closely by Nicolle Butcher with a salary nearing $1.6 million.
The Sunshine List, established under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act in 1996, aims to provide transparency regarding public sector salaries. This year, the list shows a significant increase in the number of employees earning over $100,000, with a total of 404,922 individuals surpassing this threshold. This marks a notable growth, with 30,075 employees making $185,000 or more.
Among the notable figures, Premier Doug Ford reported a salary of $269,567, an increase from $208,974 in the previous year. Additionally, Olivia Chow earned $240,349, up from $225,093 in 2024. Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah topped the police salary charts with $604,449, the highest for a police chief in Ontario.
Caroline Mulroney commented on the list, stating, “Over 50 per cent of this year’s growth was driven by municipalities, which includes local police and fire services whose work continues to protect Ontario communities.” This highlights the essential services that contribute to the overall salary increases in the public sector.
Despite the rising salaries, the threshold for the Sunshine List has remained unchanged since its inception in 1996. The buying power of $100,000 in 2025 is equivalent to about $53,104 in 1996, illustrating the impact of inflation on public sector compensation.
Dave Bulmer, reflecting on the original intent of the Sunshine List, remarked, “[The Sunshine List’s] original intent was to capture those who were the senior most executives from the public sector earning salaries that are taxpayer supported.” This statement underscores the importance of transparency in public sector compensation.
As the public reviews the 2025 Sunshine List, reactions are varied, with some advocating for higher salaries for essential workers while others question the justification for such high earnings in the public sector. The ongoing debate about public sector salaries continues to be a focal point for discussions on fiscal responsibility and accountability in Ontario.
