The Ontario Government’s list of public sector employees who earned more than $100,000 in 2008. MP Gerard Kennedy was an unlikely addition to Ryerson’s list of the highest rollers.
Nora Loreto
News Editor
Ryerson Free Press
News Editor
Ryerson Free Press
Ontario’s Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2009 was released on March 31 and, despite its timing right before April Fools Day, many of the salaries listed were no laughing matter.
Among Ryerson’s top-paid administrators, faculty and staff was former Liberal leadership contender and current Member of Parliament for Parkdale - High Park Gerard Kennedy.
For 2008, Kennedy’s salary was $124,615.38, despite only working there for eight months. The original announcement of his appointment indicated that his term would be finished on September 4, 2008. By coincidence, this happened to be only days before the federal election was called.
Had Kennedy worked every weekday from January to September, with benefits, he would have made $738.04 dollars a day. That is just under $100 an hour.
“I was paid less than I have been for other work I’ve done, less than I make in government,” said Kennedy. He added that he did not negotiate his salary, that it was Ryerson’s offer he accepted.
While at Ryerson, Kennedy gave three guest lectures, worked with undergraduate and graduate students on a variety of projects and started to develop a centre for Canadian enterprise with other universities. He also represented Ryerson in a number of meetings and delivered remarks on behalf of Ryerson to several groups in Canada and in the Ukraine and Israel.
His contract was renewed in summer 2008, but contained a clause that said it would be terminated upon the commencement of a federal election. The election was called on September 7.
During that election, Kennedy unseated New Democratic incumbent Peggy Nash by just over 3,000 votes.
During that election, Kennedy unseated New Democratic incumbent Peggy Nash by just over 3,000 votes.
“My only regret is the sudden call of election,” he said. Despite the end of his contract, Kennedy said that he’s continued to work on finishing some projects through the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.
Ken Jones, the Dean of the Faculty of Business was pleased with both Kennedy’s contributions to Ryerson and with the network of people he built around the Faculty. “He helped brand us in a new set of communities,” said Jones, adding that Kennedy’s left-of-centre approach to business provided a needed balance to the Faculty.
Jones said that Kennedy worked three to four days a week, met with students, provided counsel to Jones himself and made linkages across other faculties.
“His view is that entrepreneurship should be applied to government, not-for-profits, business and social organisations… from my point of view, that’s an important message,” said Jones.
When Tania Hassan, Vice-President of Student Rights for the Continuing Education Student Association of Ryerson (CESAR), was told about the salary, she was shocked.
“When President Sheldon Levy speaks about there not being enough money for infrastructure, but they can find the money to pay someone for eight months of work – that’s ridiculous,” she said.
Kennedy was the only Professor of Distinction on the list of salaries over $100,000.
When asked if he felt that his salary was too high, he asked, “Was there value received? The University said yes, there was” and added that he believed that his work led to tangible benefits for students and that Ryerson will see good things arise as a result of his work.
Jones was not part of the discussion of salary for Kennedy. He said that it was an institutional decision, rather than a decision of the Faculty of Business.
“Different people have different costs associated to them… If you want to get people who have a reputation, it has a cost. He had a market value and had other options,” said Jones.
“Different people have different costs associated to them… If you want to get people who have a reputation, it has a cost. He had a market value and had other options,” said Jones.
In total, 548 faculty and staff at Ryerson made over $100,000 in 2008. President Sheldon Levy topped the list with a combined salary and benefits of $391,217.00. Right after him was Vice-President University Advancement, Adam Kahan who made $369,730.66.
There are 59 more people making over $100,000 than last year, up from 489.
“Why are students’ backs being broken to pay these high salaries?” asked Hassan, also a part-time student in the School of Social Work. “I’m working two jobs just to stay in school. It’s ridiculous… it’s ridiculous.
