On November 3, 2025, the Government of Canada published its response to the Seventh Quadrennial Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission Report. The response is available here.
The Government of Canada has rejected the recommendations put forward by the commission. In brief, the government response “…reflects a significant deterioration in the Canadian financial outlook, and a carefully considered difference of perspective on the evidence presented to the Commission and how it should be weighed.”
As you know, the Report recommended an increase in the salary of puisne judges in the amount of $28,000, to be applied after the April 1, 2024, IAI adjustment, and that other salaries payable under the Judges Act be increased proportionately.
Adequate judicial compensation is at the heart of an independent judiciary, and this was reinforced by the Commission’s recommendations. We are concerned that the government has not followed the Commission’s efforts to maintain that independence through the compensation system.
The Executive will be exploring options, and we undertake to update members, but the Association will not communicate publicly on this issue, at this time.