A local councillor hopes to emulate the provincial and federal public service spending freezes in Ottawa.
College Ward Coun. Rick Chiarelli is hoping to bring a motion to city council in April that would immediately freeze politicians’ and non-union city employees’ pay for the next two years.
Following the provincial budget last Thursday, Chiarelli sent out a notice to other city councillors stating that the motion would “enable [council] to demonstrate leadership in cushioning taxpayers at this time.”
The motion was quickly applauded by the conservative Ottawa Taxpayers Advocacy Group, calling it likely the most important motion this council will address.
However, Bay Ward Coun. Alex Cullen dismissed the idea, stating that since the city is not facing a deficit, there is no reason to freeze non-union wages.
“Freezing non-union wages will hurt those earning low-income wages the most — the wrong target, in my view,” he wrote.
