Kitimat council advances 2.9 per cent remuneration increase
Published 12:50 pm Monday, September 14, 2026
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Kitimat council has advanced a proposed 2.9 per cent increase to mayor and councillor remuneration for 2027, giving the required amendment bylaw first, second and third readings.
If adopted, the increase would apply to the newly elected mayor and councillors beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The increase would raise the mayor’s annual remuneration from $52,235 to $53,750, an increase of $1,515. Councillor remuneration would rise from $28,984 to $29,825, an increase of $841 annually.
The adjustment would add $6,561 to the 2027 budget.
Council also agreed to waive part of its Council Indemnities and Travel Expenses Policy C-20 so the adjustment could be calculated using B.C. Consumer Price Index figures from July 2025 to July 2026 rather than the August-to-August period normally used.
District CAO Warren Waycheshen said the change was necessary because the usual figures were not yet available.
“Those numbers aren’t out yet,” Waycheshen said. “It’s just because it’s happening a little faster than it normally does. We’re using a CPI from July to July instead of August to August.”
The July-to-July CPI figure is 2.9 per cent.
Under Policy C-20, council remuneration is generally adjusted annually using CPI from August of the previous year to August of the current year. August 2026 CPI figures were not scheduled to be released until Sept. 14.
With a municipal election taking place this fall, staff said that timing would not leave enough opportunity for the current council to consider and adopt a remuneration amendment before the newly elected council takes office.
Staff therefore recommended using the earlier CPI period so remuneration could be established before the end of the current council’s term.
The bylaw is scheduled to return for consideration of adoption at the Sept. 21 regular council meeting. If adopted, the new remuneration rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and would apply to the newly elected council.
Staff said the change in CPI timing is not intended to alter the district’s long-term method for setting annual remuneration adjustments.