To shed light on the issue, I first checked the official remuneration of North Hatley’s elected officials as set out in Bylaw 2024-765 (adopted on January 13, 2025, published on January 14, 2025).
The mayor receives $33,163.86 in base pay and $17,088.03 in expense allowances; each special meeting adds $50.98 plus a $25.46 allowance. A councilor receives $8,284.29 in base pay and $4,193.93 in allowances, plus $76.44 per special meeting.
No additional compensation is provided for committees; amounts are indexed annually to the CPI (consumer price index). Reference
Workload estimation parameters
It is difficult to accurately assess the workload of a city councilor.
I therefore use explicit and conservative parameters:
- Monthly council meetings: once a month — 2 hours of meeting time + 3 hours of preparation + 0.5 hours of follow-up;
- Special meetings: 8 times per year — 2 hours of meeting time + 2 hours of preparation + 0.5 hours of follow-up;
- Utilities (fire, water/sewer, waste, parks, etc.): estimated duration of 3 hours per meeting (once per month);
- MRC substitutions: 3 replacements — 3 hours per meeting;
- Citizen representation: 3 hours/month;
- Reading/various preparation: 6 hours/month;
- Travel to meetings/MRC: 1 hour per meeting (round trip);
- Contingencies: +20% of hours.
Calculation table
| Mois | Séances ordinaires (1/mois) – durée | Préparation séances ordinaires | Séances extraordinaires – durée | Préparation séances extraordinaires | Déplacements MRC et Régies | MRC (suppléance) – durée | Préparation MRC (suppléance) | Régies – durée | Préparation régies | Citoyens / représentation | Lecture/admin hors préparation | Total heures | Imprévus (+20%) | Grand total heures |
| Jan. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 18,5 | 3,7 | 22,2 |
| Fév. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 18,5 | 3,7 | 22,2 |
| Mar. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 18,5 | 3,7 | 22,2 |
| Avr. | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 18,5 | 3,7 | 22,2 |
| Mai | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 5,4 | 32,4 |
| Jui. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 22,5 | 4,5 | 27 |
| Juil. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 22,5 | 4,5 | 27 |
| Aout | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 22,5 | 4,5 | 27 |
| Sept. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 5,4 | 32,4 |
| Oct. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 22,5 | 4,5 | 27 |
| Nov. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 27 | 5,4 | 32,4 |
| Déc. | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0,5 | 3 | 6 | 22,5 | 4,5 | 27 |
| 321 |
Results (baseline scenario)
- Estimated workload: 321 hours/year.
- Estimated salary: $8,284.29 + (extraordinary sessions 8 × $76.44 = $611.52) = $8,895.81.
- Hourly rate (excluding allowances): $8,895.81 / 321 hours = $27.71.
- Expense allowance: $4,193.93 (not considered salary; intended to cover expenses related to the position).
Increase in the number of committees
Serving on numerous committees can lead to a risk of spreading oneself too thin and losing depth on issues. Conversely, some municipalities pay a token fee to encourage participation. What is the right balance, given our size, our priorities, and the availability of elected officials?
Conclusion
In short, this exercise does not determine what would be a “good” salary, but it puts the remuneration of our elected officials into context and links it to a real, sometimes invisible, workload. In the reference scenario, the hourly rate for a councilor is around $27.72 (excluding allowances, which do not constitute salary).
Depending on the number of meetings, administrative tasks, and unforeseen events, this rate varies significantly—hence the importance of a nuanced interpretation. Rather than judging, the goal is to inform the local debate: compare with similar municipalities, clarify what the expense allowance covers, better define committee participation, and periodically review compensation in light of actual responsibilities.
If we want to attract and retain competent people, we must combine transparency, predictability, and high standards.
On that note, happy thinking!
