In 2025, Ontario’s Sunshine List revealed that over 400,000 public servants earned salaries exceeding $100,000. This figure marks a significant seven percent increase from 2024, when more than 377,000 individuals reached this earnings threshold. The Sunshine List, released recently, highlights the highest earners in various sectors, including government, healthcare, and education.
Top Earners in Ontario’s Public Sector
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) dominated the list with the five highest salaries. Kenneth Hardwick, the former President and CEO, topped the charts with earnings of $1.9 million, down from over $2 million in 2024. Nicolle Butcher, the current CEO, earned $1.5 million.
Salary Breakdown of OPG Executives
- Kenneth Hardwick: $1.9 million
- Nicolle Butcher: $1.5 million
- Chief Nuclear Officer: $1.09 million
- Chief Financial Officer: $1.01 million
- Chief Projects Officer: $981,000
Additionally, hospital executives also featured prominently in the top ten salaries. Leaders from the University Health Network and The Hospital for Sick Children were among them.
Highlights of Other Salaries
Premier Doug Ford received a salary of nearly $270,000, reflecting an increase of around $60,000 from 2024. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow earned $240,000, $15,000 more than the previous year. Meanwhile, Myron Demkiw, Chief of the Toronto Police Service, received over $445,000, an increase from his 2024 salary of $394,228.
Executive Earnings from Crown Agencies
- Mark Fuller (Ontario Public Service Pension Board): $826,235
- Matthew Anderson (Ontario Health): $826,000
The Sunshine List aims to provide transparency regarding the earnings of high-income employees in the public sector. This includes individuals from provincial government, schools, hospitals, and police forces.
Factors Behind Salary Increases
Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, indicated that several factors contributed to the salary hikes in 2025. She noted that retroactive payments, collective bargaining outcomes, and an additional pay period for organizations played significant roles. Importantly, over 50 percent of the growth in high salaries this year was attributed to municipalities, including local police and fire services, who continue to uphold safety in Ontario’s communities.
Overall, more than half of the entries on this year’s Sunshine List involve public service organizations, reflecting the expanding scope of high earners in Ontario’s public sector.
