Montreal borough mayors could soon receive a 700 dollar fee per meeting to participate in the Table des maires, bringing their potential additional yearly compensation to 7000 dollars, according to information obtained from multiple sources.
The additional remuneration has been under discussion behind the scenes for a while. The Table des maires was originally established years ago and was later revived by Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada during her election in November as an instrument to improve cooperation among boroughs. Nine months later, elected officials want to transform the body into a permanent commission to establish concrete and transpartisan governance with the presence of a clerk.
Restructuring Plan and Voting Timeline
The structural transformation will change how the instance operates because elected officials participating in the city’s 11 commissions—such as public security, culture, economic development, and finances—can receive extra pay under the law. A meeting involving all 19 borough mayors is scheduled for next Monday to secure a consensus on the restructuring. Following that step, the proposal must be voted on by elected officials during the municipal council meeting in November, with final adoption slated for December.
Four current administration mayors will not receive the 700 dollar fee because municipal elected official salaries cannot cross a specific threshold. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada is among the four exceptions because she has already reached the top of the pay scale. The remaining 15 mayors, which includes opposition and independent officials, remain eligible for the funds.
Did You Know? The Table des maires features two co-presidents: Jean François Lalonde, who serves as the mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension and represents the Projet Montréal party, alongside independent LaSalle mayor Nancy Blanchet.
Budgetary Projections and Salary Exceptions
Because the schedule maps out 10 meetings per year, eligible mayors should collect an average of 7000 dollars annually. The total expenditure for the additional pay will reach approximately 105000 dollars as a minimum. Danielle Pilette, a municipal affairs professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), notes that such a salary bonus is quite exceptional in recent history.
Professor Pilette raises questions about whether the measure compensates opposition mayors who do not sit on many of the higher-paying commissions. She also notes that taxpayers feel sensitive toward elected official compensation amid current cost of living increases and public service expenses. Conversely, she points out that elected officials face internal pressure to professionalize and secure winning conditions to attract quality candidates.
Union and Opposition Responses
The Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal criticized the financial plan while contract negotiations remain ongoing. Union president Nicolas De Ciccio stated that thousands of city workers lack employment contracts while the city claims a lack of money. He questioned the logic of paying elected officials extra money just to talk amongst themselves when workers face contract issues.
Projet Montréal press attaché Eve Obert-Beaulieu maintained a cautious stance on behalf of the official opposition party. She acknowledged that better borough alignment is positive, but described the timing as strange for a new instance costing over 100000 dollars while citizen services face imminent cuts and union members threaten strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Table des maires?
The structure aims to strengthen collaboration and serve as a tool to bring Montreal’s boroughs closer together.
How much will eligible mayors receive?
Eligible mayors could receive 700 dollars per meeting, averaging 7000 dollars annually across 10 planned yearly meetings.
Who is excluded from receiving the additional fee?
Four mayors whose salaries have already reached the top of the pay scale—including Montreal mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada—are excluded from the bonus.
How do you view the balance between municipal governance investments and public sector labor disputes?
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