Organization Profile - Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

The Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission was established to inquire into the adequacy of the salaries and other amounts payable under the Judges Act and into the adequacy of judges' benefits generally. In so doing, the Commission considers the prevailing economic conditions in Canada, including the cost of living, and the overall economic and current financial position of the federal government, as well as the role of financial security of the judiciary in ensuring judicial independence; the need to recruit the most qualified candidates to the judiciary; and any other relevant factors.

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Judges Act

The Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission consists of three members appointed by the Governor in Council. One person nominated by the judiciary; one person nominated by the Minister of Justice of Canada; and one person, who shall act as Chairperson, nominated by the members who are nominated as set out above.

Each member holds office during good behaviour, and may be removed for cause at any time by the Governor in Council. The members are appointed to hold office for a term of four years.

Where the term of a member ends, other than in the case of removal for cause, the member may carry out and complete any duties of the member in respect of a matter that was referred to the Commission while he or she was a member.

A member is eligible to be reappointed for one further term if re-nominated.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of a member, the Governor in Council may appoint as a substitute temporary member a person nominated to hold office during the absence or incapacity.

If the office of a member becomes vacant during the term of the member, the Governor in Council shall appoint a person nominated to hold office as a member for the remainder of the term.

A quorum of the Commission consists of all three members.

The Commission shall commence an inquiry on June 1, 2020, and on June 1 of every fourth year after 2020, and shall submit a report containing its recommendations to the Minister of Justice of Canada within nine months after the date of commencement. The Commission may, with the consent of the Minister of Justice and the judiciary, postpone the date of commencement of a quadrennial inquiry.