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The highest earner on the list, BlackBerry Ltd. CEO John Chen, took home $141.9 million in 2018. The list was compiled using documents publicly-traded corporations are required to publish annually.

The report states the average CEO on the list made $11.8 million in 2018, up 18 per cent from the previous year, while the average Canadian worker’s salary increased by $1,302, or 2.6 per cent, over the same period — just above inflation.

Photo by Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald said while it is not concerning that executives make more money, the fact they make 227 times as much as the average Canadian compared to around 20 times in the 1970s is a worry.

“Despite the fact that we have very low unemployment, we just aren’t seeing the type of wage gains you would expect in a tight labour market,” Macdonald said, adding that is likely due to multiple factors including more precarious employment, contract work and gig jobs.

Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan said there is “no question” the gap between the country’s highest earners and typical workers is an issue, but he stopped short of describing current CEO pay as stratospheric.

“If they don’t deliver, they don’t get paid,” McLellan added of most executives’ compensation, which typically includes a base salary of around $1 million and then various bonuses, share-based awards and stock options.

The CCPA report disputes the suggestion executive compensation is ballooning because of high demand for executives, noting 76 of the top 100 came up through the ranks of their current company. McLellan said demand remains an important consideration.