Toronto's mayor and city councillors have almost unanimously passed a motion that will freeze their salaries in 2011.
The pay freeze was accepted in a 39-3 vote at city hall Tuesday afternoon.
John Filion, Joe Mihevc and Ron Moeser were the only councillors to vote against the motion.
Mihevc said he took a stand against the motion because it fell in line with the anti-politician rhetoric that has surfaced at city hall.
"We do good work. We deserve a fair salary," Mihevc told CP24. "We've had our slary frozen many times over the past several years. This is not the right time to do it."
The salary freeze was put forward by Coun. Mike Del Grande, city council's budget chief, and seconded by Coun. Doug Ford.
"It finally makes a statement from council, certainly during a time when we're going to be negotiating with the unions," Del Grande says.
Councillors currently earn about $99,600 per year, while Mayor Rob Ford earns about $167,700. They also receive benefits, including health, life insurance and dental coverage.
Council members were due to receive a 2.6 per cent cost of living increase that would have bumped councillors' salaries to about $102,000. Ford's salary also would have jumped, but Tuesday's vote means the increases won't happen.
The city says the freeze will result in about $100,000 in savings.
The vote follows Ford's promise during last fall's election to freeze city council's salaries.
By comparison, Toronto councillors earn less than their counterparts in cities such as Mississauga and Brampton.
