On Monday, August 25, 2025, Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) Counties council reviewed proposed increases to council remuneration. The changes aim to close the wage gap between SDG council members and those in similar Eastern Ontario municipalities.
During the July 21, 2025, council meeting, staff noted the current gap, saying that the average annual remuneration in comparable Eastern Ontario municipalities is $52,518 for a Warden or Mayor and $22,014 for councillors.
Currently, the SDG Warden earns $41,951, approximately $10,567 or 25 per cent below the regional average, while councillors earn $15,663, roughly $6,351 or 41 per cent less than the average.
SDG’s proposed remuneration increases align with practices in nearby counties that use a similar representation model, with mayors and one additional councillor from each municipality sitting on the county council. The United Counties of Prescott-Russell was not included in the comparison due to only having mayors sit on its county council.
In the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the Warden earns approximately $51,000, and councillors earn about $21,500. Similarly, in Lanark County, the Warden earns approximately $53,000 and councillors $22,000.
Director of Corporate Services and Clerk Kimberly Casselman recommended raising council remuneration to match these regional averages, reflecting CPI adjustments and increased duties.
Councillors Andrew Guindon and Jason Broad sought clarification on when the increased rates would be implemented, questioning if the changes would commence in the fall of 2026 after municipal elections or during the next budget discussions.
Councillor Carma Williams supported quicker implementation, saying, “I think this is a fair compensation model. This council is the one making these proposals, so it should probably be this council to adopt them. I don’t know why we would postpone it.”
Other proposed changes included:
- Removing the half-day meeting rate
- Increasing the conference rate to $675 per day, up to a maximum of $2,025, not including registration fees
- Increasing the annual budget for the Warden’s Banquet to $7,000, with part of the cost offset by ticket sales
The meeting allowance remains unchanged at $219.49 per non-council meeting, plus applicable mileage.
Councillors may attend up to two conferences per year, and the Warden up to three, with covered expenses including transportation mileage, lodging, meals, and gratuities.
If passed, councillors would receive $22,014 and the Warden would earn $52,518.
Municipal staff will present a draft by-law with council’s suggested changes at the September SDG Counties council meeting.
