Hydro bosses top Sunshine list

"Energy sector bosses topped the annual list of Ontario civil servants and public sector workers who earned over $100,000 last year, which jumped a whopping 24 per cent over 2005."

This morning we heard that the, so called "Sunshine List" would be released to day. The list shows 34,000 Ontario government employees and workers at Crown corporations, municipalities, hospitals, colleges and universities raked in more than $100 thousand last year, that's 6,000 more than in 2005. Since there are too many of these big earners to name, I will provide a short list of my personal favorites. Hydro One is top of the list again: Number one on the earnings list was ousted Hydro One CEO Tom Parkinson, who made $1.69-million before quitting in December after the auditor questioned his expenses, followed by current Ontario Power Generation boss Jim Hankinson at $1.48-million. And keeping with energy: David Goulding, CEO of the Independent Electricity System Operator, was third at $1.2-million, while Howard Weston, chair of the Ontario Energy Board, made $650,000. The scandal-plagued Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has almost 140 employees making more than $100,000, with many making twice that amount, including Jim Warren, Premier Dalton McGuinty's former communications director. We also pay our hospital C. E. O.s well: Jeffrey Lozon, president and CEO of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, topped the list of hospital administrators with a combined salary and benefit package of $700,000. Dozens of elementary and high school teachers and nurses are also on the list. A James Bay General Hospital paramedic made $137 thousand. ....And three plumbers at the Toronto District School Board made the $100,000 club, as did another man who repairs windows at Toronto schools. There it is, the sunshine list for all to ponder. Hope you make it on the list next year.