OTTAWA, November 30, 2004 – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today released the Government's response to the recommendations made by the 2003 Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission.

The Government has accepted all but one of the recommendations. The exception relates to representational costs, in which case it will propose a modified cost formula.

The Government of Canada is fully committed to an effective and independent Commission process.

"I would like to thank the Commission for its hard work in preparing the report and its recommendations," said Minister Cotler. "By accepting the recommendation on compensation, the Government is doing so without prejudice to other ongoing wage settlement issues. Furthermore it recognizes the evidentiary-based work of the Commission in establishing the appropriate level of compensation as it relates to the unique work environment of the judiciary," the Minister added.

The Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission is mandated to consider the compensation and benefits of judges and make recommendations to Government. The Government will be tabling amendments to the Judges Act at the earliest opportunity based on its response. The Constitution places the authority and responsibility for establishing judicial salaries in the hands of Parliament. In light of this Government's commitment to democratic reform and an enhanced role for Parliamentary committees more broadly, the Government looks forward to Parliament's review of the Commission's analysis and recommendations.

As previously announced, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Tony Valeri, will be introducing separate legislation on non-judicial salaries.

The full response can be found at http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/dept/pub/jcbrj/index.html.

Backgrounder: Government Response to the Quadrennial Commission Report

Ref.: Denise Rudnicki
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
(613) 957-4207