POLL: Most SooToday readers think Sunshine List's $100K cutoff should be higher

The vast majority of SooToday readers think it’s time to raise the bar on who gets included on the Sunshine List.

Released every year by the province since 1996, the searchable database names every public-sector worker in Ontario who earns an annual salary of at $100,000 or more — an exercise in transparency that gives taxpayers a window into where some of their money is going.

But a lot has changed in 28 years. When the list was first unveiled, it contained just 4,494 names. This year's instalment has more than 300,000, including thousands of teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters.

Simply put, a $100,000 salary isn't as lucrative as it used to be. Adjusted for inflation, that same dollar figure from 1996 would be about $175,000 in today's money.

SEE: Sunshine List: Here are the big local salaries your tax dollars pay for

We asked SooToday readers to weigh in on what they think the threshold should be for inclusion on the Sunshine List. As of this morning, more than 1,700 votes had been cast.

The vast majority — more than 74 per cent — believe the bar should be raised so the list is smaller, capturing only the biggest breadwinners.

What should the new cutoff be? More than 39 per cent of respondents chose $150,000, while another 25 per cent voted for $200,000.

Only 26 per cent of respondents believe the threshold should stay the same or be lowered.

Below is the full breakdown of the votes, as of Monday morning:

$75,000: 43 votes (2.53 per cent)

$100,00: 195 votes (11.49 per cent)

$150,000: 666 votes (39.25 per cent)

$200,000: 431 votes (25.4 per cent)

$250,000: 140 votes (8.25 per cent)

$500,000: 24 votes (1.41 percent)

All workers: 198 votes (11.67 per cent)

Didn't vote yet? You still can.

Locally, the Algoma District School Board had the most six-figure salaries on the public dime in 2023, with 483 staffers earning more than $100,000. Next on the list are Sault Area Hospital (440), the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (237) and Sault College (139).

Algoma University and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service both had 129 six-figure earners, followed by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, with 123 (that number includes firefighters).

Who tops the latest list in the Sault? Ron Common, the former president of Sault College, who earned $428,900.24 in 2023.

Below is a list of the local organizations that landed on the list, as well as a list of their top-earning staffers. The dollar figure in brackets represents taxable benefits. 

You can search the full list HERE. Did we miss someone? Reach out at [email protected].

Algoma District School Board (483 six-figure earners)

• Lucia Reece, Director of Education: $237,000.10 ($14,320.16)

• Joe Santa Maria, Superintendent of Business: $192,000.08 ($7,780.23)

• Superintendents Marcy Bell, Frank Palumbo and Brent Valee: $176,000.09 ($7,140.27)

Sault Area Hospital (440 six-figure earners) 

• Dr. Michael D’Agostino, Medical Director, Pathology: $375,066.52 ($1,043.52)

• Dr. Andrew Webb, Vice-president of innovation, quality and medicine: $347,026.74 ($1,586.64)

• Ila Watson, president and CEO: $343,238.34 ($1,603.20)

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (237 six-figure earners)

• Danny Viotto: Director of Education: $229,734.88 ($4,600.36)

• Superintendents Joseph Chilelli, Christine Durocher, Filippo Lettieri, Justin Pino: $169,581.19 (ranging from $2,500.35 to $4,600.36)

Sault College (139 six-figure earners)

• Ron Common, former president: $428,900.24 ($219.84)

• David Orazietti, former dean, current president: $257,269.64 ($365.15)

• Laurie Burrows, chief financial officer: $212,829.92 ($203.04)

Algoma University (129 six-figure earners) 

• Aaron Gordon, business and economics professor: $410,357.04 ($9,290.40)

• Asima Vezina, president: $332,250.16 ($26,586.84)

• Md Mahbubul Alam, business and economics professor: $315,375.12 ($11,320.64)

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (129 six-figure earners)

• Chief Hugh Stevenson: $223,540.37 ($6,000)

• Deputy Chief (now retired) Robert MacLachlan: $192,431.05 ($4,800)

• Inspector (now Deputy Chief) Brent Duguay: $187,073.35 ($1,790.29)

City of Sault Ste. Marie, which includes firefighters (123 six-figure earners)  

• CAO Malcolm White, now retired: $228,209.24 ($7,603.90)

• Deputy CAO Larry Girardi: $198,852.27 ($5,500.61)

• Deputy CAO Tom Vair (now CAO): $198,852.25 ($1,812.69)

• Fire Chief Peter Johnson: $189,474.90 ($3,299.01)

District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (23 six-figure earners)

• Mike Nadeau, CEO: $206,721.19 ($7,788.96)

• David Petersson, director of corporate services: $167,282.55 ($1,426.95)

• Kate Kirkham, chief of paramedic services: $137,790.68 ($1,197.27)

Algoma Public Health (20 six-figure earners)

• Dr. John Tuinema, Associate Medical Officer of Health: $291,365.18 ($814.75)

• Dr. Jennifer Loo, Medical Officer of Health: $268,739.19 ($651.80)

• Laurie Zeppa, Director of Health Protection: $163,715.96 ($698.76)

Group Health Centre (15 six-figure earners) 

• Liliana Silvano, president and CEO: $265,005 ($871.44)

• Tony Barone, vice-president of finance: $218,379.24 ($902.64)

• Darren Fetterly, vice-president of clinical operation: $171,283.61 ($902.64)