Ontario unveiled its 2024 Sunshine List on March 28, 2025, spotlighting public sector workers earning over $100,000 annually.
This year’s list, ballooning to a record 377,666 names, showcases a 25% surge from 2023.
Topping the charts again is Ontario Power Generation (OPG) President and CEO Kenneth Hartwick, pocketing just over $2 million.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s eye-popping salary disclosures, from top earners to sector breakdowns.
Table of Contents
What Is Ontario’s Sunshine List?
Introduced in 1996 under former Premier Mike Harris via the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, the Sunshine List mandates that publicly funded organizations report employees earning $100,000 or more.
Now in its 28th year, the list covers workers in provincial government, schools, hospitals, police forces, and Crown agencies.
Its goal?
Transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent.
In 2024, the list grew to a staggering 377,666 individuals—up from 300,680 in 2023.
That’s a jump of over 76,000 names, reflecting salary hikes, retroactive payments, and new collective bargaining agreements.
Who’s Earning the Most in 2024?
Kenneth Hartwick, OPG’s President and CEO, reigns supreme with a salary exceeding $2 million.
He’s no stranger to the top spot, having earned $1.93 million in 2023.
OPG dominates the leaderboard, claiming the top three positions and six of the top 10, with all six surpassing $800,000.
Here’s a quick look at some standout earners:
Kenneth Hartwick (OPG President and CEO): $2,000,000+
OPG Employee #2: $800,000+
OPG Employee #3: $800,000+
Phil Verster (Former Metrolinx CEO): $884,000
Verster, who stepped down from Metrolinx in December 2024, still secured fourth place despite his exit.
His hefty paycheck underscores the high-stakes compensation in Ontario’s public transit sector.
Teachers Drive Massive List Growth
Why the huge jump in names?
Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney points to the education sector.
Nearly half of the list’s growth—about 38,000 new entries—stems from school boards, with teachers accounting for 87% of that increase.
Retroactive pay, salary adjustments, and recent union deals have pushed more educators over the $100,000 threshold.
Mulroney noted, “The largest year-over-year increases reflect across-the-board salary adjustments and collective bargaining outcomes.”
This trend has sparked debate about public sector compensation amid rising living costs.
Beyond Energy: Other High Earners
While OPG steals the spotlight, other sectors boast big salaries too.
College presidents, police officials, and government executives feature prominently.
College Presidents:
John Tibbits (Conestoga): $636,106.70
Ann Marie Vaughan (Humber): $497,880.32
David Agnew (Seneca): $459,778.83
Toronto Police Service:
Chung Wong (Sergeant): $428,232
Myron Demkiw (Chief): $394,228
Surprisingly, TPS Sergeant Chung Wong outearned Chief Myron Demkiw for the second year running.
Overtime, special assignments, or retroactive pay could explain Wong’s edge.
Why the Sunshine List Matters in 2024
The Sunshine List isn’t just a salary roundup—it’s a window into Ontario’s public spending.
With 377,666 names, it’s the largest ever, reflecting both economic pressures and workforce trends.
Critics argue the $100,000 benchmark, unchanged since 1996, is outdated given inflation.
Adjusted for today’s dollars, it’s worth far less, pulling in more mid-tier workers like teachers and nurses.
Supporters, however, say it keeps taxpayers informed.
“It’s about accountability,” one analyst remarked.
“People want to know where their money’s going.”
Top 100 Earners: Where to Find Them
Curious about the full top 100?
CBC News and other outlets have published the list’s highest earners.
From energy execs to hospital CEOs, it’s a who’s-who of Ontario’s public sector elite.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Total Names: 377,666
Increase from 2023: 76,986 (25%)
Top Sector Growth: School boards (teachers: 87% of increase)
Highest Earner: Kenneth Hartwick, $2M+
List Inception: 1996
The list’s growth mirrors broader wage trends.
Salaries in education, energy, and policing have climbed, fueled by union negotiations and inflation adjustments.
Public Reaction: Praise or Outrage?
The 2024 Sunshine List has ignited social media buzz.
Some applaud high earners in critical roles like energy and education, while others question why public servants outpace private-sector peers.
“$2 million for a CEO while hydro rates climb?” one X user fumed.
Another countered, “Teachers deserve every penny after years of freezes.”
Premier Doug Ford’s government has stayed mum on broader reforms, though Mulroney’s statement hints at closer scrutiny of education costs.
What’s Next for the Sunshine List?
As Ontario’s public sector expands, expect the list to keep growing.
Will the $100,000 threshold finally get an update?
Or will transparency demands push for even more detailed disclosures?
For now, the 2024 list stands as a record-breaking testament to public pay in a changing economy.
Stay tuned with CTC News for updates—and dive into the top 100 earners to see who’s cashing in.
