Government Responds to the Report of the Fifth Quadrennial Commission on Judicial Compensation

Minister of Justice accepts all of the independent Commission's recommendations.

October 31, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – Department of Justice Canada

The judiciary plays a unique and fundamentally important role in Canada's democracy. Every four years, an independent three-person commission is established to inquire into the adequacy of the compensation and benefits of federally appointed judges and Federal Court prothonotaries. On June 30, 2016, the Commission submitted its report and recommendations to the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Today, the Minister released the Government's Response to that report, confirming that it accepts all of the Commission's recommendations. The Government will move forward in the near future to implement the recommendations, including through the introduction of the necessary amendments to the Judges Act.

Quote

“I thank the Commission members for their diligent efforts and the key role they play in protecting the independence of superior court judges and the Federal Court prothonotaries. I am pleased to accept all of the Commission's recommendations in full.”

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick Facts

• The process for setting judicial compensation is unique and based on the constitutional principles set out by the Supreme Court of Canada.
• The Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission, commonly referred to as the “Quadrennial Commission,” is established every four years to make recommendations to the Minister of Justice regarding the adequacy of salary and benefits of all federally appointed judges and Federal Court prothonotaries.
• The Commission is established and the inquiry takes place every four years, based on the framework set out in the Judges Act.
• Publication of the Response is in keeping with the public interest nature of this constitutional process, namely that the Government must respond publicly to the Commission's report.

Related Products

• Government Response to the Commission's Report
• Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission Report 2016

Contacts

Valérie Gervais
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207

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