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B.C.'s top provincial executives took home $5.28 million in 2018-19

The top earning B.C. government corporation executives pocketed a total of almost $5.28 million in salaries, benefits and pension contributions.

The top earning B.C. government corporation executives pocketed a total of almost $5.28 million in salaries, benefits and pension contributions, said government figures released Thursday.

Previously:

The figures were released by Finance Minister Carole James as part of what the government called “ ensuring that executive compensation is fair and transparent for the public, and that public sector boards are held accountable for their compensation decisions.”

 University of British Columbia president and vice chancellor Santa J. Ono was the second-highest paid executive in B.C.'s public sector in 2018-19, with a total compensation package of $601,772. Photo by Paul Joseph/UBCUniversity of British Columbia president and vice chancellor Santa J. Ono was the second-highest paid executive in B.C.’s public sector in 2018-19, with a total compensation package of $601,772. Photo by Paul Joseph/UBC

The Ministry of Finance said the executive compensation disclosure is made to provide the public with “a clear, concise description of the link between pay and performance for senior management and executive employees in key decision-making positions across the provincial public sector.”

The 10 highest paid executives in B.C.'s public sector in 2018-19 are:

1. Powerex president and chief executive office Thomas Bechard

• Salary: $358,800

• Holdback/bonus: $540,000

• Benefits: $19,348

• Pension: $17,512

• All other compensation: $2,839

• Total compensation 2018-19: $938,499

• Total compensation 2017-18: $898,258

2. University of British Columbia president and vice chancellor  Santa J. Ono, president and vice-chancellor,

• Salary: $470,000

• Holdback/bonus: $0

• Benefits: $11,931

• Pension: $46,050

• All other compensation: $73,791

• Total compensation 2018-19: $601,772

• Total compensation 2017-18: $595,848

3. BC Hydro president and chief operating office Chris O'Riley

• Salary: $365,190

• Holdback/bonus: $34,223

• Benefits: $29,273

• Pension: $78,516

• All other compensation: $47,698

• Total compensation 2018-19: $554,900

• Total compensation 2017-18: $529,184

4. BC Securities Commission chair Brenda Leong

• Salary: $439,764

• Holdback/bonus: $0

• Benefits: $12,754

• Pension: $43,317

• All other compensation: $7,013

• Total compensation 2018-19: $502,848

• Total compensation 2017-18: $639,702

5. BC Pavilion Corporation president and CEO Ken Cretney

• Salary: $247,797

• Holdback/bonus: $173,872

• Benefits: $13,254

• Pension: $24,408

• All other compensation: $13,620

• Total compensation 2018-19: $472,951

• Total compensation 2017-18: $372,453

6. ICBC president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez

• Salary: $381,601

• Holdback/bonus: $0

• Benefits: $17,443

• Pension: $67,257

• All other compensation: $2,482

• Total compensation 2018-19: $468,783

• Total compensation 2017-18: $382,132

7. University of British Columbia vice-president academic and provost Andrew Szeri

• Salary: $395,698

• Holdback/bonus: $0

• Benefits: $8,312

• Pension: $38,620

• All other compensation: $1,785

• Total compensation 2018-19: $444,415

• Total compensation 2017-18: $326,124

8. Simon Fraser University president Andrew Petter

• Salary: $328,870

• Holdback/bonus: $33,000

• Benefits: $9,986

• Pension: $32,468

• All other compensation: $35,586

• Total compensation 2018-19: $439,910

• Total compensation 2017-18: $439,460

9. University of Victoria president and vice chancellor James Cassels

• Salary: $378,388

• Holdback/bonus: $0

• Benefits: $7,318

• Pension: $47,138

• All other compensation: $135

• Total compensation 2018-19: $432,979

• Total compensation 2017-18: $423,215

10. BC Hydro executive vice-president, operations Mark Poweska

• Salary: $285,667

• Holdback/bonus: $54,303

• Benefits: $20,484

• Pension: $61,418

• All other compensation: $874

• Total compensation 2018-19: $422,746

• Total compensation 2017-18: $405,720

Total compensation includes base salary, holdback or bonus, statutory and health benefits and pension contributions, as well as other allowances and/or payments, which may include vacation payout, sick leave payout, vehicle allowance, paid parking, severance/salary continuance, retirement allowance, professional fees and administrative leave.