Lavaltrie Mayor Christian Goulet saw his salary increase by 74% between 2021 and 2022, the most significant increase among all elected officials in Quebec.
Mr. Goulet's compensation increased from $78,644 to $136,807 in one year. This significant increase is due in particular to an increase in his mayoral salary of $24,125, or more than 50%, approved by the Lavaltrie Municipal Council in early 2022.
“In 2020, my salary was $46,119, which was among the lowest salaries in comparable cities across Quebec,” explains Mr. Goulet, pointing to the Journal’s rankings. I found this unacceptable for a full-time job. I don’t have to explain to you what task the election entails.”
The mayor therefore instructed his general manager to analyze the salaries of elected officials from a dozen cities of comparable size and to average his compensation and that of Lavaltrie city councilors.
“It was important for me to be average. “I would have felt bad if I had been paid the best in comparable cities in Quebec,” explains Christian Goulet.
“Ungrateful” comeback
He considers it “ungrateful” to have to vote for this comeback and expects a lot of criticism.
“But when I explained the matter to the entire population, it was abundantly clear to everyone that $46,000 for a full-time job made no sense,” he said.
Consultants also received a raise of nearly 30%, or $4,219 per year.
In addition to his salary as mayor, Christian Goulet was able to see a salary increase due to his appointment as Prefect of the MRC of D'Autray, which brings him $47,884 annually.
The 5 biggest salary increases in'elected local officials in 2022
Christian Goulet – Mayor – Lavaltrie – $58,163 (74%)
Jonathan Tabarah – Consultant – Longueuil – $56,556 (39%)
Isabelle Demers – Consultant – Lévis – $53,427 (87%)
Amélie Landry – Consultant – Lévis – $53,427 (87%)
Pierre Luc Lachance – Consultant – Quebec – $47,184 (46%)