The former boss of Manitoba Hydro was paid nearly $900,000 in compensation in 2024, despite only working 1½ months before her dismissal from the Crown corporation.

The high pay earned by Jay Grewal, revealed to be $881,177.94 according to Hydro's annual compensation disclosures this week, suggests the utility bought out the remainder of her contract, according to a University of Manitoba business instructor who teaches a compensation course.

Grewal's pay in 2024 — more than doubling the compensation of any other Hydro employee — is a 61 per cent increase from the $546,698.12 she earned in 2023 for a full year as president and chief executive officer.

"My speculation is that she got every cent owed on the contract," Sean MacDonald said.