A recent survey comparing city council's compensation to like-sized cities shows Whitehorse politicians are paid the league minimum.

In a recent comparative study, done by the Whitehorse Elected Officials Compensation Committee, figures show Mayor Ernie Bourassa and councillors make significantly less than those in other like-sized cities.

The committee was made up of Dr. Terry Weninger, Yukon College's acting president, longtime local resident Elaine Smart and and Doug Ayers, owner and operator of Doug Ayers Reporting Services.

The survey, according to the report, included Whitehorse, which has 23,272 people; Yellowknife, with 19,400; Grande Prairie, Alta., at 44,631; Nanaimo, B.C., at 79,061; Medicine Hat, Alta., at 56,048; Red Deer, Alta., at 79,082; and Lethbridge, Alta., at 56,310.

Figures from the survey show the highest-paid mayor is Yellowknife's, who makes $87,880.62.

The lowest-paid mayor is Lethbridge's, who pulls in $50,296 followed by Bourassa, who makes $66,800 plus a vehicle allowance.

The highest-paid councillors, according to the report, are in Medicine Hat, where they make an annual salary of $27,356.

The lowest-paid councillors are in Whitehorse, where they make $13,363.

The report recommended an increase to the Whitehorse mayor's salary to $72,500 and councillors' pay to $17,500.

Council's compensation, according to City Bylaw 2006-28, also include compensation benefits.

Benefits given to council members include:

• 90 per cent of premiums for extended health and dental care;

• 100 per cent basic dental coverage and 50 per cent of major restorative dental care to a maximum of $2,500;

• a $100,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage; and

• a weekly accident indemnity coverage in the amount of $300 per week;

Additional benefits for the mayor include:

• a vehicle allowance of $450 per month;

• 90 per cent coverage for extended health and dental care and group life insurance premiums; and

• 100 per cent basic dental, 50 per cent restorative dental, to a maximum of $2,500 and 50 per cent orthodontic care to a lifetime maximum of $1,500.

Council members also receive a per diem of $62.50 for any meeting between three and six hours long and $125 for any meeting longer than six hours.

Doug Graham, president of the Association of Yukon Communities and a city councillor, said Thursday he doesn't feel the compensation package for Whitehorse is unfair.

'(Council) is not underpaid for what they do,' he said.

The mayor's salary, he added, is also reasonable.