Like most Canadians, today may be the first day you’re back in the office after a much-needed holiday vacation. But if you’re one of Canada’s top 100 CEOs you could stop working after your lunch break and earn as much as an average Canadian worker does in a year.
The latest numbers released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, an Ottawa-based think tank, shows the growing divide between the rich and poor.
According to the think tank, Canada’s top 100 CEOs earn an average of $7.7 million in a year, which is a wee bit more than the $45,448 average Canadians make and the $19,798 that Canadians working minimum wage jobs earn.
In a jocular attempt, the think tank also unveiled “Paywatch: The Class for the Cash” count clock showing a side-by-side comparison of what the CEO and average worker has earned so far in 2013.
As of this blog post, one of Canada’s top 100 CEOs have earned $42,056.91, while the average Canadian has earned $134.12.
The is a stark reminder of the growing divide between Canada’s rich and poor. And it is especially disturbing considering the decline and stagnation of average Canadian wages while CEOs pay packages continue to explode and remain unfazed by any economic conditions.
This release is also a reminder that the wealth and salary sea we’re all floating in isn’t rising for everyone. In fact, we might be floating in a different sea all together.
In other words, we may need to verify and adjust how much is trickling down.
