University executives in Quebec are seeing significant salaries, predominantly at English-speaking institutions. McGill University’s principal vice-rector leads with earnings exceeding $835,000, while Rector Hagurdeep Saini’s salary stands at $541,724, surpassing the Prime Minister’s income. Other high earners include Christopher Manfredi and Diana Dutton. In contrast, French-speaking universities and those in the University of Quebec network offer lower compensation, with UQAM’s rector earning only $266,372. The disparity highlights differences in funding and salary regulations among institutions.
Top Salaries Among University Executives in Quebec: English Institutions Lead the Pack
The highest salaries for university executives in Quebec are dominated by English-speaking institutions, with McGill University’s principal vice-rector taking the lead this year, boasting a remarkable income exceeding $835,000.
At McGill University, compensation for university leaders remains unparalleled. Rector Hagurdeep Saini leads the charge with an impressive annual salary of $541,724, which is significantly higher than the salary of Quebec’s Prime Minister, François Legault, who earns $270,000.
Interestingly, Mr. Saini isn’t even the top earner at McGill. In fact, five of his colleagues received even more lucrative compensation packages during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
One notable example is Christopher Manfredi, the principal vice-rector for studies, who earns a base salary of over $393,000. Additionally, he received a one-time allowance of $439,117, which is part of a supplemental retirement plan activated upon reaching the age of 65, according to the university’s spokesperson. This year’s recipient of similar benefits includes Diana Dutton, the associate vice-rector for human resources. The media relations officer clarified that the executives’ compensation is drawn from the operational budget.
Compensation at Other Institutions
Concordia University is also competitive in executive compensation, with Rector Graham Carr closely trailing McGill’s leadership, earning just over $520,000.
Meanwhile, Bishop’s University, which serves around 2,500 students, has its own impressive compensation structure. Rector Michael Goldbloom, who recently retired after 15 years, received a salary of $334,365 along with a severance package equivalent to one year’s salary.
On the French-speaking side, Daniel Jutras, the rector of the University of Montreal, is the top-paid executive, earning $470,000 annually, followed closely by Frederico Pasin, the director of HEC Montreal.
Comparing Public and Private University Salaries
The salary disparity is evident, with chartered universities generally offering much higher compensation than their counterparts in the University of Quebec network, where the government regulates working conditions. For instance, despite having over 35,000 students enrolled at UQAM, Rector Stéphane Pallage’s salary is only $266,372, significantly lower than that of private institution leaders.
Chartered institutions receive a portion of public funding based on student enrollment, supplemented by tuition fees and donations. In 2018, the Couillard government refrained from legislating salary reforms for senior university executives, instead mandating annual detailed compensation reports from these institutions to be presented to the National Assembly.
2023-2024 Salary Rankings of University Executives
McGill University
Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Hagurdeep Saini: $541,724
Principal Vice-Rector for Studies, Christopher Manfredi: $835,274
Associate Vice-Rector for Human Resources, Diana Dutton: $740,371
Vice-Rector for Health and Medical Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, David Eidelman: $573,587
Vice-Rector for University Advancement, Marc Weinstein: $571,133
Bishop’s University
Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Michael Goldbloom: $671,081*
Concordia University
Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Graham Carr: $520,829
University of Montreal
Rector, Daniel Jutras: $470,089
HEC Montreal
Director, Frederico Pasin: $407,396
Laval University
Rector, Sophie D’Amours: $382,707
University of Sherbrooke
Rector, Pierre Cossette: $364,759
University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM)
Rector, Stéphane Pallage: $266,372
Source: Compensation statements of universities for 2023-2024 submitted to the National Assembly. The figures include base salaries and other taxable compensation elements.
*Having retired from the rectorship of Bishop’s University, Michael Goldbloom received a base salary of $334,365 in 2023-2024 along with a severance package of $336,716.