Agency renumeration practices are easily accessible and available. All agencies disclose the remuneration directors receive.

Discussion

While there is no requirement that appointees be paid (as this is at the discretion of the minister), the Government of Alberta recognizes that individuals appointed to the governing bodies of Alberta’s agencies should not be out-of-pocket for their service. In most cases, Orders in Council created under the authority of the Public Service Act outline the remuneration schedules. In other cases, remuneration rates are at the discretion of the board.  A wide range of factors affect remuneration, including complexity, financial impact, roles, time commitment, public service, recruitment, risk, and fiscal responsibility.

Remuneration of appointees must reflect the nature of service, complexity of tasks and amount of time dedicated to service.  Except in very unusual circumstances, there should be consistency within an agency and among similar agencies for director remuneration.

Requiring compensation to be publicly disclosed will help promote consistency by raising awareness of remuneration practices.

The method of disclosing director remuneration is at agency discretion.  Best practices indicate that listing remuneration in annual reports and posting it on agency websites are both effective.

The Agency Governance Secretariat will work with agencies and Corporate Human Resources to increase awareness and understanding of the current remuneration policy.