Since its inception in 1996, the Ontario Sunshine List has documented the evolution of public sector compensation in the province. With nearly 30 years of data, we can now identify long-term trends and patterns that reveal how government spending on salaries has changed.
The Growth of the Sunshine List
When the Sunshine List was first published in 1996, it contained approximately 4,500 names—public sector employees earning $100,000 or more. Today, that number has grown to over 280,000 employees, representing a dramatic shift in public sector compensation.
Key Statistics: 1996 vs 2024
1996
- ~4,500 employees
- $100,000 threshold (equivalent to ~$175,000 today)
- Primarily executives and senior management
2024
- 280,000+ employees
- $100,000 threshold (unchanged)
- Includes many frontline workers
The Inflation Factor
One of the most significant factors in the Sunshine List's growth is that the $100,000 threshold has never been adjusted for inflation. In 1996 dollars, $100,000 had the purchasing power of approximately $175,000 today. This means that many positions that wouldn't have qualified in 1996 now appear on the list simply due to inflation.
Sector Evolution
Different sectors have experienced varying rates of growth over the 29-year period:
- Healthcare: Largest absolute growth, driven by nursing shortages and specialized roles
- Education: Significant growth in teacher and professor compensation
- Municipalities: Steady growth reflecting urban development and service expansion
- Energy: Fluctuating based on industry restructuring and market conditions
Policy Implications
The unchanged threshold has sparked ongoing debate about the Sunshine List's effectiveness as a transparency tool. Some argue for inflation adjustment, while others believe the current approach provides valuable data about the growth of six-figure salaries in the public sector.