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The CEO of Ontario Power Generation earned nearly $1.6 million last year, making him the highest-paid public-sector employee in the province on a growing list of those earning $100,000 or more.

Jeff Lyash, whose salary was $1,554,456 and $6,864 in taxable benefits, topped Ontario’s so-called 2017 “Sunshine List” of the highest paid public-sector employees, which was released Friday in six thick paper volumes.

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Lyash’s salary was about $400,000 more than what he made last year, when he was also the highest-earning employee on the list.

The top ten spots on the list were rounded out by several other Ontario Power Generation executives, a pair of hospital CEOs, and the president of a corporation that manages investments for a university.

Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, who is headed for a spring election, defended the need to pay a premium for some of those at the top of the list.

“There are situations where there are particular skill sets that are needed that we want to make sure we have the very best,” she said.