THUNDER BAY — The city of Thunder Bay's contingent on Ontario's so-called Sunshine List continues to grow.
In the province’s annual public-sector salary disclosure, which was released on Friday, the municipality shows 699 employees who met or exceeded the $100,000 threshold required to be reported annually by provincially governed bodies.
That’s 9.2 per cent more people than the city reported last year, when 640 staffers were listed in the document, which includes more than 377,000 workers across Ontario.
A significant number first responders made the list, including three of the top five earners.
The city’s list was topped by Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury, who earned $310,000 in 2024.
Sergent Justin Dubuc was No. 2 on the list, at $267,087.
Kelly Robertson, city commissioner of community services, was third at $241,465 and Deputy Police Chief Ryan Hughes was fourth at $241,465.
Now retired city manager Norm Gale earned $237,229, leaving his post in June 2024. His replacement, John Collin, made $155,769 in less than half a year on the job.
Fire Chief David Paxton, who took over the role on June 10, made 189,767.
Healthcare
Led by president and CEO, Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott, who took home $475,092 before taxes, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre had 843 employees surpass $100,000 in earnings last year. Their list included 777 employees a year earlier.
Her St. Joseph’s Care Group counterpart, Janine Black, made $384,276.
St. Joe’s had 305 Sunshine List employees in 2024.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit had 25 Sunshine List employees, topped by medical officer of health and CEO Janet DeMille, who brought home $333,794 last year.
Education
Lakehead University featured 408 people on the list, lead by president Gillian Siddall, who was compensated $360,000 in 2024.
At Confederation College, the now-retired president, Kathleen Lynch, was the top paid employee, earning $270,904. Her replacement, Michelle Sala, earned $226,834. The college had 171 staffers on the list.
Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand made the most of any Lakehead District School Board employee, earning $237,098 last year, one of 527 workers required to disclose their salary for 2024. The board had just 268 employees on the 2023 list.
Over at the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, retired director of education Pino Tassone earned $237,000 before stepping down. His replacement, Jean-Paul Tennier, made $193,995. The Catholic Board had 514 employees on the public-sector salary list, 159 more than last year.
Provincial politicians
Regional Members of Provincial Parliament also fared well at the public trough.
Kenora’s Greg Rickford, the minister of Northern development, earned $165,851, while Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, Kevin Holland, earned $135,366. The NDP’s Sol Mamakwa earned $125,874 while his Thunder Bay-Superior North counterpart, Lise Vaugeois, made $116,550.
