Key moments
Ontario has released its much-anticipated Sunshine List for 2025, revealing the salaries of public sector employees earning over $100,000. This year’s list, made public on Friday, has drawn attention for its significant figures, with Kenneth Hartwick topping the chart at an impressive salary of just over $1.9 million.
Following Hartwick is Nicolle Butcher, who earned nearly $1.6 million. The list also includes notable political figures such as Premier Doug Ford, who reported a salary of $269,567, an increase from the previous year’s $208,974. Olivia Chow, another prominent name, earned $240,349, up from $225,093 in 2024.
Among the public service leaders, Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah stands out with a salary of $604,449, marking the highest salary for a police chief in Ontario. The Sunshine List, which has been a staple of public sector transparency since its inception in 1996, now includes a staggering 404,922 public sector employees earning over $100,000.
This year’s report also highlights that there were 30,075 employees making $185,000 or more, indicating a growing trend in public sector salaries. The salary threshold for the Sunshine List has remained unchanged since its introduction, which raises questions about the implications of inflation and purchasing power over the years.
As noted by Caroline Mulroney, “Over 50 per cent of this year’s growth was driven by municipalities, which includes local police and fire services whose work continues to protect Ontario communities.” This statement underscores the vital role that local services play in the overall public sector landscape.
Dave Bulmer, reflecting on the purpose of the Sunshine List, stated, “[The Sunshine List’s] original intent was to capture those who were the senior most executives from the public sector earning salaries that are taxpayer supported.” This highlights the ongoing commitment to transparency in how public funds are allocated.
Interestingly, the buying power of $100,000 in 2025 is equivalent to about $53,104 in 1996, a stark reminder of the economic changes over the decades. The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, established in 1996, mandates that organizations receiving public funding disclose the names, positions, salaries, and total taxable benefits of employees earning over $100,000 annually.
