Ontario’s 2025 Sunshine List: The Power Rankings
The annual list, which has been published since 1996, tracks every public sector employee earning a salary of $100,000 or more. While the $100K cutoff remains unadjusted for inflation (which critics say would now be closer to $188,000), the top of the list continues to be dominated by the energy and healthcare sectors.
1. The Top 10 Highest Earners in Ontario
Once again, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) executives have swept the top spots. Former CEO Kenneth Hartwick remains the highest-paid public servant in the province, even in a special advisory role.
| Rank | Name | Position | Employer | 2025 Salary |
| 1 | Kenneth Hartwick | Special Advisor | Ontario Power Generation | $1,907,409 |
| 2 | Nicolle Butcher | President & CEO | Ontario Power Generation | $1,596,218 |
| 3 | Steve Gregoris | Chief Nuclear Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $1,092,855 |
| 4 | Aida Cipolla | CFO & CAO | Ontario Power Generation | $1,013,496 |
| 5 | Subo Sinnathamby | Chief Projects Officer | Ontario Power Generation | $981,476 |
| 6 | Kevin Smith | President & CEO | University Health Network | $939,603 |
| 7 | Ronald Cohn | President & CEO | Hospital for Sick Children | $880,013 |
| 8 | Mark Knutson | Chief Enterprise Engineer | Ontario Power Generation | $856,947 |
| 9 | Jon Franke | Senior VP, Nuclear | Ontario Power Generation | $826,655 |
| 10 | Mark Fuller | President & CEO | Ontario Pension Board | $826,236 |
2. Notable Political & Public Figures
For those tracking the salaries of Ontario’s top decision-makers, here is how the 2025 earnings shook out:
- Premier Doug Ford: $269,567
- Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow: $240,349
- Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw: $445,366
- Opposition Leader Marit Stiles: $233,334
- Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay: $327,439
3. Why the List is Growing So Fast
Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney noted that several factors pushed more workers onto the list this year:
- Collective Bargaining: New contracts for teachers and nurses included retroactive payments that pushed many over the $100K mark for the first time.
- Overtime: High demand in healthcare and policing led to significant overtime earnings.
- Sector Breakdown: More than 50% of the list is comprised of workers in hospitals, school boards, and public health units.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
1. Is $100,000 still “wealthy” in 2026?
According to the Bank of Canada, $100,000 in 2026 has the same buying power that $53,000 had when the list started in 1996. While it is still a comfortable salary, many “front-line” workers like senior teachers and experienced nurses now naturally fall into this bracket.
2. Why does OPG pay so much?
The government argues that OPG must pay competitive, private-sector-level salaries to attract the highly specialized nuclear engineers and executives required to run the province’s power grid safely.
3. How can I search for a specific person?
The full, searchable database is available on the official Ontario.ca website under “Public Sector Salary Disclosure.”
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Sunshine List is more than just a list of names—it’s a reflection of Ontario’s economic shifts. While the “million-dollar club” remains small, the sheer volume of employees crossing the $100,000 mark highlights how inflation and wage growth are changing the definition of a “high-earning” public servant