Montreal’s city council most expensive in the country

Montreal has the highest number of elected representatives in Canada, standing at 103.

And with that record comes a record amount of money. Last year alone the combined cost of council salaries, benefits.

And expenses reached $12.6 million. In comparison Toronto, the country’s largest city, racked up almost half that amount, coming in at $7.3 million for 44 councillors in total.

The city of Vancouver has just 10 councillors, whose combined costs total just over $1 million.

With this hefty price-tag comes quite the debate. While some, like former borough councilor Karim Boudros feel Montreal has too many councillors, nearly twice as many as needed, others defend the city council. City councillor Marvin Rotrand says Montreal is better served by having additional representatives in council.

Regardless of what side of the debate you sit on, if any change to the number of members of Montreal’s city council is going to happen, it would not be possible until the next municipal election in 2013.