Aurora Votes 2026: Mayoral candidates share views on Council compensation

October 1, 2026 · 0 Comments

Salary and compensation for Aurora’s Council representatives was a hot-button issue in the outgoing term of Council, with incumbent members taking different positions on recommendations before them.

As the current Council term winds down and residents vie to be a part of Aurora’s 2026-2030 Council, candidates looking to lead Council for the next four years were asked: “Do you think Aurora’s Councillors are fairly compensated? Why or why not? (If not, where would you like to see adjustments made?)”

Here’s how they answered:

SHAWN DEANE – “Aurora’s Councillors are not fairly compensated when measured against the responsibilities and ethical obligations defined in the Town’s Code of Conduct and related by‑laws. The current base salary of roughly $42,220 reflects a legacy part‑time model, yet Councillors are expected to uphold a ‘higher standard’ of conduct, maintain continuous constituent availability, comply with strict statutory rules, and provide informed oversight of increasingly complex municipal operations. These expectations resemble full‑time professional governance, not part‑time civic volunteering. Compensation also fails to keep pace with the scale of Aurora’s municipal budget. As the Town’s population and annual spending grows, the amount of taxpayer representation should grow in lockstep. A part‑time Council cannot realistically provide the level of scrutiny, financial oversight, and policy engagement required to steward a budget of this size. The result is heavier reliance on Staff, reduced accountability, and weaker resident representation at the decision‑making table. For these reasons, I would support transitioning Councillors to full‑time roles with compensation adjusted to reflect full‑time responsibilities. This modernized governance structure paired with increased availability, and enhanced oversight duties would strengthen fiscal discipline, improve transparency, and ensure elected officials remain the primary stewards of public funds, not Staff. This model will deliver the most effective and accountable municipal leadership.”

JOHN GALLO – “I believe Aurora’s Councillors are undercompensated relative to comparable municipalities. The Town’s May 2026 staff review showed that reaching the median would require a 24.72% salary increase, while reaching the 60th percentile would require approximately 32%. After 14 years on Council, I understand the preparation, workload, and responsibility this role carries. Fair compensation helps ensure that serving our community is possible for people from different financial circumstances. As Mayor, I would support my Council colleagues in having an honest, respectful discussion about compensation. They should be able to consider staff’s findings and advocate for fair treatment without having their motives questioned publicly. Residents deserve a discussion grounded in evidence, with clear explanations of both the responsibilities involved and the cost to taxpayers. I would support a reasonable adjustment informed by the staff review, along with regular reviews to prevent large gaps from developing. Leadership means bringing people together through difficult conversations. Even when we disagree, I will treat my colleagues with respect, recognize their service, and help Council reach decisions that we can explain openly and responsibly to residents.”

TOM MRAKAS – “Aurora residents expect their elected officials to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, and that principle should apply to Council compensation as well. Over the 2022-2026 term, Council members received annual cost-of-living increases totaling about 11%, with further adjustments continuing each year to reflect inflation. Despite that, four members of Council voted to give themselves an additional 42.6% compensation increase, effective immediately. I do not believe elected officials should approve substantial increases to their own compensation and immediately benefit from them. Public trust demands a higher standard. That is why I opposed the 42.6% compensation increase and exercised the veto authority available to the Mayor under the Strong Mayor Powers (SMPs) framework to block it and uphold public trust. My position has always been clear: Council compensation should reflect the responsibilities of the role and what Aurora taxpayers consider fair and reasonable. Public confidence should be the benchmark, not a race to match the highest compensation levels elsewhere. Fundamentally, this is about accountability, good governance, and respect for taxpayers. I stood firm on those principles when the matter came before Council, and I will continue to do so. For me, public office is about serving the community and putting the public interest, not personal interest, first.”

YAFANG SHI – “I believe Councillors should be compensated fairly compared with those in comparable municipalities. At the same time, Councillors should work hard, attend meetings, participate, and demonstrate that they are earning their compensation. According to a staff report presented to Aurora Council in May 2026, Aurora Councillors currently earn $42,165 annually, which is nearly 32 per cent below the 60th percentile among comparable municipalities. I believe the Council should have approved a fair compensation package for new Councillors elected in the upcoming election. The same report indicates that the Mayor’s salary of $114,647 is approximately 3.3 per cent below the same benchmark. If elected, I would support adjusting Councillors’ compensation closer to the average level of comparable municipalities. However, I do not believe an adjustment to the Mayor’s compensation is necessary. I also believe compensation should not be politicized. The Mayor vetoed the compensation adjustments while reportedly having the highest expenses among York Region Council members, totaling $24,387. Councillors have a responsibility to fulfill their duties. For example, Councillor John Gallo was absent from four of 15 Aurora Cultural Centre board meetings. During his service on the Library Board, he resigned once without citing a reason or receiving Council approval.”

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter