Despite having sat on many boards over the years and chaired a few—and this includes business boards as well as charitable and political and (the very worst) condominium boards, I have never been paid a cent for my efforts. I thought it was all done for free. Sure, I know that there are honoraria for outside business directors but when you are also an employee, it is part of the job.
But lately we have been hearing about annual honoraria in the category of $100,000 and up. And we are wondering why?
Why would Toronto mayor, John Tory, be paid $100,000 per year by Rogers?
Many of us were aware that Tory had worked for Rogers in previous years. Until the Toronto Star dropped the bomb on us the other morning, we might not have known he is still being paid by Rogers. The Star tells us he is paid for being an advisor to the family trust that runs Rogers. No doubt the Star’s minions at city hall are busy searching the voting records to see how many times the mayor should have, or did, declare a conflict of interest.
I would expect that a person of Tory’s integrity would have bent over backwards to avoid any complaint or possible conflict.
With this present term, Tory will complete eight years as mayor of Toronto. And despite his conservative party background and leanings, I was delighted to support his initial candidacy. He might be old school, but he is one of the good guys.
In the past eight years, John Tory has earned our trust. He has been an outstanding mayor in a rapidly growing and complex city and in troubled times. He has been there for the city, for its people and has been relentless in serving their needs. He has been a mayor in the style of a Hazel McCallion of Mississauga, a Naheed Nenshi of Calgary, though not quite as acerbic as the famous Charlotte Whitton of Ottawa.
More than anything else, John Tory has been there for Torontonians in the face of a 100-year pandemic. He has provided leadership, confidence and good sense for millions. He has done the job.
And we can view his annual stipend from Rogers as just part of his pension. He deserves it for what he has to put up with. And if he wants a third term as mayor, the only answer is: Carry on John!
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Copyright 2021 © Peter Lowry
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