Lifetime benefits for regional councillors scrapped after committee motion to reverse vote

Members of Region of Waterloo's administration and finance committee have reversed a vote that gave regional politicians free benefits for life after they've served at least one four-year term on council.

The motion to reverse the vote was brought forward during Tuesday's meeting by Coun. Michael Harris, who also chairs the committee. Last term, he was one of nine councillors who had voted in favour of the motion, but said he has since changed his mind.

The previously-elected regional council had approved a benefits package for any councillor who had served at least one full term on Region of Waterloo council. The package included dental, medical and life insurance benefits. 

It happened in one of council's final sessions following the 2022 municipal election where only seven of 16 regional councillors were re-elected. 

Amendment prevents lifetime benefits

Tuesday's motion asked staff to put together a citizens' compensation review committee to recommend what kind of benefits regional politicians should get. The report will include an analysis of the benefits currently available to members of other regional and municipal councils that are similar in size.

The citizens' panel would make its considerations during the third year of the current term, in 2025, meaning any decisions made will impact the next elected regional council — but not the current one.

An amendment was also passed to ensure that the citizens committee does not consider the possibility of reinstating free benefits for life. It's an amendment regional Coun. and Wellesley Mayor Joe Nowak said he disagreed with.

"There's no sense in setting up this committee and then sort of tying their hands," he said.

"I think they're also tying the hands of staff when it comes to setting up the terms of reference as well because you're eliminating things that they may want to put in."

Nowak had also voted in favour of lifetime benefits in November. He told the administration and finance committee that he regrets that, adding it was an error in judgment.

Former council statement

Several councillors from the previous term who had voted in favour of the motion released a statement this week to say they "regret the way in which this unfolded."

Those who signed the letter include: Sean Strickland, Karl Kiefer, Dave Jaworsky, Kathryn McGarry, Les Armstrong, Geoff Lorentz, and Helen Jowett.

They said that the motion had "been written for weeks and several councillors had tried unsuccessfully to have the report tabled in public earlier".

The statement goes on to "encourage the citizens committee to look at all facets of regional council responsibilities and make fair determinations on councillor compensation and benefits."