The newly established Major Projects Office under the federal government will have its chief earning an annual salary ranging from $577,000 to $679,000, as per a recent order in council. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Dawn Farrell, the former CEO and board chair of the Trans Mountain Corporation, to lead this office based in Calgary. The office is part of the Liberal government’s commitment to expediting approvals for significant infrastructure projects of national importance.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the headquarters of the Major Projects Office will be in Calgary, with additional offices planned in other major Canadian cities. Farrell’s salary aligns closely with the maximum compensation for CEOs of Crown corporations as per information on the government’s website.
In comparison, the head of Canada Post earns between $506,000 and $596,000 annually, while the CBC president’s salary falls between $468,000 and $551,000. Farrell brings nearly forty years of experience in the energy sector, having held executive positions at B.C. Hydro and TransAlta before assuming the role of CEO at Trans Mountain in 2022. In 2021, Farrell received total compensation of $7.8 million from TransAlta, as disclosed in the company’s shareholders’ report.
