Published March 2026 · Based on 404,922 disclosed records
The 2025 Ontario Sunshine List has been released, disclosing the salaries of 404,922 public sector employees who earned $100,000 or more during the 2025 calendar year. The total disclosed payroll stands at $54.4B, with an average salary of $134,229 and a median of $122,262.
Compared to 2024, the number of employees on the Sunshine List grew by 7.2% (from 377,881 to 404,922 records). The average salary increased by 1.3% — from $132,497 to $134,229.
For context, when the Sunshine List was first published in 1996, it contained just 4,501 names. The 90x growth over 29 years reflects both wage increases and the fact that the $100,000 disclosure threshold has never been adjusted for inflation.
The highest-paid employee on the 2025 Sunshine List is Kenneth Hartwick, who earned $1,907,409 in salary plus $3,583 in taxable benefits. They are listed as Special Advisor at Ontario Power Generation.
| # | Name | Employer | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenneth HartwickSpecial Advisor | Ontario Power Generation | $1,907,409 |
| 2 | Nicolle ButcherPresident and Chief Executive Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $1,596,218 |
| 3 | Steve GregorisChief Nuclear Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $1,092,855 |
| 4 | Aida CipollaChief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $1,013,496 |
| 5 | Subo SinnathambyChief Projects Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $981,476 |
| 6 | Kevin SmithPresident and Chief Executive Officer | University Health Network | $939,603 |
| 7 | Ronald CohnPresident and Chief Executive Officer | The Hospital For Sick Children | $880,013 |
| 8 | Mark KnutsonChief Enterprise Engineering and Chief Nuclear Engineer | Ontario Power Generation | $856,947 |
| 9 | Jon FrankeSenior Vice President Nuclear | Ontario Power Generation | $826,655 |
| 10 | Mark FullerPresident and Chief Executive Officer / Président et chef de la direction | Ontario Public Service Pension Board (Ontario Pension Board) | $826,236 |
The largest sector by headcount is School Boards with 112,654 employees (27.8% of all records). The highest-paying sector by average salary is Seconded (Health)* at $347,894.
| Sector | Employees | Avg Salary | Max Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seconded (Health)* | 4 | $347,894 | $556,520 |
| Government of Ontario – Judiciary | 733 | $284,261 | $485,572 |
| Ontario Power Generation | 10,672 | $170,459 | $1,907,409 |
| Seconded (Children, Community and Social Services)* | 1 | $168,905 | $168,905 |
| Universities | 30,975 | $165,197 | $656,640 |
| Seconded (Tourism, Culture and Gaming)* | 1 | $163,306 | $163,306 |
| Government of Ontario – Legislative Assembly and Offices | 800 | $147,995 | $466,589 |
| Seconded (Solicitor General)* | 42 | $146,576 | $217,205 |
| Government of Ontario – Ministries | 35,897 | $144,785 | $750,440 |
| Seconded (Citizenship and Multiculturalism)* | 7 | $142,809 | $177,586 |
| Crown Agencies | 19,087 | $139,003 | $826,236 |
| Other Public Sector Employers | 15,721 | $135,603 | $729,754 |
| Municipalities & Services | 92,492 | $133,194 | $604,449 |
| Colleges | 10,926 | $131,576 | $601,684 |
| Seconded (Education)* | 132 | $130,296 | $209,025 |
| Hospitals & Boards of Public Health | 74,777 | $126,617 | $939,603 |
| Seconded (Cabinet Office)* | 1 | $125,205 | $125,205 |
| School Boards | 112,654 | $122,996 | $343,926 |
Toronto District School Board tops the list with a total disclosed payroll of $1.8B across 14,085 employees.
| Employer | Employees | Avg Salary | Total Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto District School Board | 14,085 | $126,654 | $1.8B |
| City Of Toronto | 13,079 | $135,219 | $1.8B |
| Ontario Power Generation | 10,346 | $170,202 | $1.8B |
| University Of Toronto | 7,392 | $171,936 | $1.3B |
| Ontario Provincial Police | 7,684 | $157,496 | $1.2B |
| City Of Toronto – Toronto Transit Commission | 9,614 | $121,680 | $1.2B |
| City Of Toronto – Police Service | 7,083 | $149,572 | $1.1B |
| Peel District School Board | 8,462 | $120,459 | $1.0B |
| York Region District School Board | 6,571 | $119,907 | $788M |
| Solicitor General | 5,958 | $131,360 | $783M |
The $100,000 disclosure threshold has remained unchanged since the Sunshine List was created in 1996. Adjusted for inflation, that threshold would be approximately $175,000 in 2026 dollars. This means the list now captures a far larger share of the public sector workforce than originally intended — 404,922 employees in 2025 versus 4,501 in 1996.
Critics argue this dilutes the original purpose of scrutinizing executive compensation, while supporters maintain that transparency at all levels of public spending is valuable. Regardless of where you stand, the data provides an unmatched window into Ontario's public sector compensation landscape.
Data source: All figures are derived from the Government of Ontario's Public Sector Salary Disclosure, published annually under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. This site is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the Government of Ontario. Data may contain inaccuracies or omissions present in the original source. Always verify individual records against the official disclosure.