In these tough economic times, Toronto residents are looking for real leadership. So it's hard to say exactly what many voters will be thinking when they learn that their councillors are due for a pay raise. It's not a huge boost - just three per cent or about $3,000 a year, enough to cover the cost of living increase.
But with the city always teetering on the verge of going into debt, the controversial land transfer and vehicle registration taxes in place and new charges for garbage collection, some are wondering if it might not be a gesture of good government for those in charge at City Hall to refuse to take the hike and give it back to Toronto's coffers.
The question has created the usual divisions at the already fractious chamber, where some see it as setting an example, while others say they're entitled to the pay raise.
Where does your councillor stand? The Mayor is taking the high road. "I am giving back the increase I'm entitled to," vows David Miller. "So my salary will come in at zero."
Glenn De Baeremaeker will be following suit. "I'll be asking to freeze my salary. I do think it's a mostly symbolic effort but I think sometimes symbolism is important."
Howard Moscoe begs to differ. "I don't believe in symbolic gestures," he counters. "I think it's largely, as the former mayor used to say, 'el toro poo poo.'"
Karen Stintz admits surrendering her boost won't hurt that much. "We giving up about $3,000 a year which works out to be about $70 a paycheque."
But others maintain the formula, which was adopted back in 2006, is simply the way it works and they have the right to the money. "It's part of the package that went through council several years ago and you know, we are not making multi-million dollars," points out Kyle Rae.
"We are basically a balance sheet, "adds Shelley Carroll. "Money in, money out. The more money in, the better off we're going to be."
"Cost of living is worked in and should not be put into a political football every time there seems to be a crisis," argues Bill Saundercook.
"That's an increase that has been part of the budget and I'll accept it," assures Joe Mihevc.
But some are holding out as a matter of principle and want to lead by example. "I will be donating back the increase for 2009," concludes Janet Davis.
The decision on a motion to freeze their salaries for the year will come in what's sure to be a well watched and well argued debate later this month.
Which way will your councillor be voting?
CityNews tallied their responses. Here's what they said.
Paul Ainslie
Ward 43 Scarborough East
Answer- Supports freeze.
Brian Ashton
Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest
Answer- Did not respond
Maria Augimeri
Ward 9 York Centre
Answer- Did not respond
Sandra Bussin
Ward 32 Beaches-East York
Answer- Did not respond
Raymond Cho
Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River
Answer- Away on vacation
Janet Davis
Ward 31 Beaches-East York
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Glenn De Baeremaeker
Ward 38 Scarborough Centre
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Mike Del Grande
Ward 39 Scarborough-Agincourt
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Frank Di Giorgio
Ward 12 York South-Weston
Answer- Did not respond
Mike Feldman
Ward 10 York Centre
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
John Filion
Ward 23 Willowdale
Answer- On vacation until Monday
Paula Fletcher
Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Rob Ford
Ward 2 Etobicoke North
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Adam Giambrone
Ward 18 Davenport
Answer- Did not respond
Mark Grimes
Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Suzan Hall
Ward 1 Etobicoke North
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
A. A. Heaps
Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest
Answer- Did not respond
Doug Holyday
Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Cliff Jenkins
Ward 25 Don Valley West
Answer- Did not respond
Norm Kelly
Ward 40 Scarborough-Agincourt
Answer- Did not respond
Chin Lee
Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Gloria Lindsay Luby
Ward 4 Etobicoke Centre
Answer- Did not respond
Pam McConnell
Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale
Answer- Will Accept Pay Raise
Joe Mihevc
Ward 21 St. Paul's
Answer- Will Accept Pay Raise.
Peter Milczyn
Ward 5 Etobicoke-Lakeshore
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Denzil Minnan-Wong
Ward 34 Don Valley East
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise
Ron Moeser
Ward 44 Scarborough East
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Howard Moscoe
Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence
Answer- Accept Pay Raise.
Frances Nunziata
Ward 11 York South-Weston
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Case Ootes
Ward 29 Toronto-Danforth
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Cesar Palacio
Ward 17 Davenport
Answer- Did not respond.
Joe Pantalone
Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
Answer- Will Accept Pay Raise.
John Parker
Ward 26 Don Valley West
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Gord Perks
Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Anthony Perruzza
Ward 8 York West
Answer- Did not respond.
Kyle Rae
Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale
Answer- Will Accept Pay Raise.
David Shiner
Ward 24 Willowdale
Answer- Did not respond.
Michael Thompson
Ward 37 Scarborough Centre
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Adam Vaughan
Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.
Michael Walker
Ward 22 St. Paul's
Answer- Rejects Pay Raise.