Marc Giroux, Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs, and Errolyn Humphreys, Deputy Commissioner, provided a verbal report to the CSCJA with the following updates:

  • Allowances: Revised guidelines for travel, conference, and incidental allowances were issued in April 2025, following consultations with the CSCJA and the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC). Minor tweaks and increases were made to benefit members. Further discussions are scheduled for the summer at the request of the Association regarding general health benefits for judges, particularly mental health, recognizing the traumatic nature of some judicial functions. The primary objective in administering claims is to meet judges’ requirements while maintaining public confidence in the judiciary.
  • Judicial Appointments & Vacancies: There have been 88 judicial appointments across Canada in the past year. As of the meeting date, there were 22 vacancies. In 2024, the Commissioner’s office held 62 Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee meetings, assessing 555 candidates (a significant increase from 327 in the previous year) to provide a larger pool of candidates to the Minister of Justice. Maître François Boivin has been assigned as the new person responsible for Judicial Advisory Committees, replacing Me Philippe Lacasse who is currently on secondment. No news yet regarding the appointment of a new judicial advisor to the Minister of Justice.
  • International Cooperation and Missions: The office undertakes judicial reform projects internationally, funded by Global Affairs Canada’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP). Deputy Commissioner Humphreys spoke about her participation in international Missions in Mongolia and Ecuador. Commissioner Giroux spoke about his participation at the invitation of Justice Clayton Conlan in the ANAO meeting in Toronto, ON, in May. 
  • Judicial Language Training: Five immersion sessions are offered annually to federally and provincially appointed judges to improve French and English language skills. Over half of federally appointed judges participate in this program. Commissioner Giroux spoke of the pending retirement of Dominique Allard from the program at the end of August 2025. At the August French Immersion Program, the Deputy Commissioner Humphreys introduced the new Director, Brigitte Landry.
  • Judges Counselling Program (JCP): The program has experienced difficulties with its current provider, TELUS, leading to a high level of complaints. Efforts are underway to negotiate improvements or find a new provider, with a one-year contract renewal signed with TELUS while other options are explored. The service is considered “key and essential” for judges. The JCP, which provides confidential counselling services, is administered by a Board of Directors and is financially supported by Federal Judicial Affairs Canada for federally appointed judges.
  • CJC Conduct Committee Measures: Following amendments to the Judges Act two years prior, allegations of harassment or discrimination against judges now bypass the initial screening officer level and go directly to a reviewing member. To alleviate the burden of numerous allegations, the Conduct Committee implemented new measures: screening officers now request supporting comments within 30 days from complainants for allegations not initially supported. Since September 2024, out of 40 such complaints, 19 were resubmitted with the requested information, seven warranted moving to the reviewing member level, and only one required comment from the judge/Chief Justice. Reviewing members can also exceptionally dismiss frivolous complaints without seeking comments from judges.
  • Legal Fees for Judges: The Commissioner’s office pays legal fees for judges subject to CJC complaints or court actions related to their duties. The hourly rate for legal fees, previously $500/hour, will shortly be increased slightly again to $550/hour. This decision is taken in consideration of the principle of judicial independence and aims to assist judges and reflects an increase beyond the Justice Department tariffs.
  • JUDICLOUD Rollout: JUDICLOUD has been rolled out across all Canadian courts, and the decommissioning of JUDICOM is underway. A session was scheduled for the following day to demonstrate JUDICLOUD tools and functionalities, including the pension calculator, Teams, OneNote, and the chat feature. Find more information on this transition in the CJCSA Member News.