Thousands of city of Ottawa employees affected by payroll issue
Thousands of city of Ottawa employees are experiencing payroll issues, with some workers significantly underpaid on their first pay cheques of 2023.
The issue included at least two hundred police officers, multiple sources told CTV News. The sources said some officers were significantly underpaid, receiving less than two dollars on their expected January paycheque, while others received too much money.
In a memo to council late Monday, the city's director of payroll Sharon McLaughlin said about 2,500 city employees had to have their pay manually adjusted.
"These actions prevented overpayment and underpayment situations from occurring and ensured that these employees received complete and accurate pay on January 12."
The remaining adjustments, about 7,700, are of $50 or less and will be reflected in the Jan. 26 pay period, she said. The issue was limited to employee deductions, she added.
She said she expects pay corrections will be complete after the issuance of pay on Jan. 26.
Ottawa Police Association President Matt Cox says they are working with the city to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Sources told CTV News the payment irregularities were caused by a technical issue and that the city does not expect it to be a recurring problem.
Ottawa police chief Eric Stubbs told reporters Monday he was unaware of the issue and did not comment further.
Earlier on Monday, McLaughlin said in a statement that the city has full confidence in its payroll system and has taken steps to rectify the issue.
"Through its regular quality assurance controls, the City became aware of a technical issue affecting the pay of City of Ottawa employees and members of the Ottawa Police Service. Immediate steps were taken to rectify it through normal operational procedures," McLaughlin said.
"Where necessary, impacted employees received adjusted payroll deposits during the same pay cycle and were directly advised of the adjustments to their pay."
"The City has full confidence in its payroll system and operational procedures."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.