The province has released its annual Sunshine List for 2024, with hundreds of Saultites listed among the top paid public sector employees in the province.
The Sunshine List is the unofficial title given to the province's public salary disclosure, which requires any public servant salary at or above $100,000 to be declared and published yearly.
This year, over 377,000 Ontarians made the list, with Kenneth Hartwick – the President of Ontario Power Generation – coming out at the very top with a 2024 salary just north of $2 million.
Locally, the top earner was Ila Watson, earning $403,311.23 as president and CEO at Sault Area Hospital.
Other top earners in Sault Ste. Marie include Michael D’Agostino, earning $389,188.29 as an associate pathologist, and Andrew Webb, earning $384,854.01 as vice president of quality and medical affairs – both at Sault Area Hospital.
At the City of Sault Ste. Marie, which includes firefighters, the number of six figure earners jumped from 123 to 147 year-over-year, with CAO Tom Vair topping city hall with a $222,996.74 salary in 2024.
First released in 1996, the Sunshine List is designed to give taxpayers a better understanding of where a portion of their money is being spent. But in recent years, some have argued that the threshold for inclusion should be increased because so many public servants now earn $100,000 or more.
When the list was first unveiled 28 years ago, it included just 4,494 names.
Below are some of the top earners at various local public institutions:
Algoma District School Board (721 six figure earners in 2024)
- Lucia Reece, $250,673.18, Director of Education
- Joe Santa Maria, $203,077.56, Associate Director Corporate Services and Operations
- Marcy Bell, $186,153.42, Superintendent
- Frank Palumbo, $186,153.42, Superintendent
- Brent Vallee, $186,153.42, Superintendent
Sault Area Hospital (473)
- Ila Watson, $403,311.23, President and CEO
- Michael D’Agostino, $389,188.29, Associate Pathologist
- Andrew Webb, $384,854.01, Vice President of Quality and Medical Affairs
- Susan Roger, $211,252.36, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive
- Gregory Zambusi, $209,207.62, Vice-President Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer
Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (286)
- Filippo Lettieri, $204,625.49, Director
- Franca Spadafora, $191,767.84, Superintendent
- Larry Pezzutto, $183,860.57, Principal
- Syndy-Ann Withers, $180,110.72, Superintendent
- Domenic Rosso, $178,833.71, Principal
Algoma University (181)
- Asima Vezina, $305,000.16, President and Vice Chancellor
- Shaochun Xu, $277,272.46, Professor
- Cathy Denomme, $265,201.04, Professor
- Jo-Anne Ryan, $251,382.10, Professor
- Pelham Matthews, $239,467.80, Professor
City of Sault Ste. Marie (147)
- Tom Vair, $222,996.74, CAO
- Larry Girardi, $205,101.28, Deputy CAO
- Peter Johnson, $195,517.11, Fire Chief
- Karen Fields, $185,328.27, City Solicitor
- Shelley Schell, $185,328.26, CFO
Sault College (144)
- David Orazietti, $328,695.57, President
- Corrine Meunier, $236,441.88, Dean Skilled Trades Technology and Apprenticeship
- Richard Peters, $200,125.87, Vice President Strategic Enrolment, Partnerships and Employment
- Sherri Smith, $200,125.87, Vice President, Academic, Innovation and Student Services
- Colin Kirkwood, $198,104.21, Vice President Corporate
Sault Ste. Marie Police (142)
- Hugh Stevenson, $225,782.27, Chief of Police
- Brent Duguay, $206,096.99, Deputy Chief
- William Freeman, $201,794.32, Inspector
- Benton Bolduc, $190,127.20, Inspector
- David Sguigna, $184,799.21, Staff Sargeant
District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (57)
- Michael Nadeau, $214,206.10, CEO
- David Petersson, $172,891.23, CFO
- Kate Kirkham, $155,290.83, Chief, Paramedic Services
- Louie Bruni, $148,166.38, Chief Operating Officer
- Jeff Bowen, $145,267.77, Deputy Chief, Paramedic Services