Ontario Sunshine List 2025 Highlights Public Sector Salary Trends
TORONTO — The Ontario government has released its 2025 Public Sector Salary Disclosure, commonly known as the “Sunshine List,” detailing public sector employees who earned $100,000 or more in the previous year.
The annual disclosure, published by the Treasury Board Secretariat, includes the names, positions, salaries and taxable benefits of employees across the Ontario Public Service and broader public sector.
In a statement released March 27, Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney said several factors contributed to salary increases reflected in the 2025 data.
“Retroactive payments, collective bargaining outcomes and an additional pay period for multiple organizations were all unique factors contributing to salary increases in 2025,” Mulroney said.
Majority of Growth Linked to Municipal and Frontline Services
According to the province, more than 50 per cent of the growth in this year’s list is tied to municipal sectors, including police and fire services.
The government also noted that a significant portion of individuals listed are employed in public service organizations such as hospitals, school boards and public health units, where many workers include nurses, teachers and other frontline staff.
“Of the total list, more than half is comprised of public service organizations like school boards, hospitals and public boards of health,” Mulroney said.
Longstanding Transparency Requirement
The disclosure is mandated under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996, which requires publicly funded organizations to publish salary details annually by March 31.
The law applies broadly to:
- Provincial government ministries
- Crown agencies and corporations
- Ontario Power Generation and its subsidiaries
- Hospitals and municipalities
- School boards, colleges and universities
- Not-for-profit organizations receiving significant provincial funding
Organizations must disclose employees earning $100,000 or more in the previous calendar year.
Data Available Online
The 2025 Sunshine List has been made available through Ontario.ca in a machine-readable format that is searchable and sortable.
The province says the format is designed to improve transparency and accessibility for the public.
“The 2025 data is available in a downloadable, machine-readable, sortable, searchable table format… making it transparent and accessible to the people of Ontario,” Mulroney said.
Context for Salary Threshold
The $100,000 threshold has remained unchanged since the legislation was introduced in 1996. Over time, inflation and wage growth have expanded the number of employees captured in the disclosure.
The province has not announced any changes to the threshold as part of the 2025 release.
The Sunshine List continues to serve as a key transparency tool for Ontario residents, offering insight into public sector compensation while reflecting broader labour trends across healthcare, education, emergency services and government operations.
For continued coverage on government transparency, public sector trends and economic policy in Ontario, follow GTA Weekly.
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