New Esquimalt mayor and councillors to see pay increase

Township’s Council Remuneration Bylaw will be revised with an increase of 20%, effective Nov. 1

New Esquimalt mayor and councillors to see pay increase Published 3:30 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2026 The newly elected mayor and the council members in Esquimalt will have higher salaries beginning Nov. 1. Council held on July 13 directed staff to revise the township’s Council Remuneration Bylaw, making way for higher salaries for elected officials in the next term.

The changes are in place following an independent review, required every four years, comparing salaries with those in 13 similar municipalities across the province, as per township policy. The independent consultant’s study revealed that the median annual salary for mayors in neighbouring municipalities is $84,776, whereas the Esquimalt mayor currently earns $70,445 annually, which is around 20.3 per cent below the median. Staff suggested an increase in the new mayor’s salary to match the median.

As per the township’s remuneration policy, councillors are paid 40 per cent of the mayor’s salary. Accordingly, councillors’ annual pay will see an increase from $29,968 to $33,910. The salary hike will increase the township’s annual remuneration costs by about $37,985, out of which, only an estimated at $6,331 will impact this year as the bylaw will be in effect from Nov. 1.

The remaining $31,654 will be reflected in the 2027 budget. Council unanimously supported revising the township’s Council Remuneration Bylaw. Coun.

Ken Armour said that he believes there should be a balance between what is fair to the taxpayer and what they get from the council in return. “Certainly, remuneration is a factor for the mayor because it is a full-time job, and for councillors, certainly, it is a time-consuming part-time job. In all fairness, I believe that this [salary increase] will help quality traction,” he said.

“Given where we are in the process, we are at the end of the council term, I think it is important that we do this now, for next council, to remove some of those concerns about setting your own compensation,” Coun. Jacob Halliwell added.