Government of Yukon tables bill respecting judicial compensation and administration of the Territorial Court

The Government of Yukon tabled the Judicial Remuneration and Administration Amendments Act in the Yukon Legislative Assembly, advancing changes to how judges are compensated and supporting administration of the Territorial Court.

The Act amends the Territorial Court Act and the Act to amend the Territorial Court Judiciary Pension Plan Act (2021). 

Similar independent and legislated judicial compensation processes exist across Canada as a safeguard of judicial independence. The recommendations of the 2022 Judicial Compensation Commission are binding on the Government of Yukon where they fall within the statutory parameters.

The bill implements recommendations and amendments, including: 

• extending the Judicial Compensation Commission cycle from three to four years;
• linking the Territorial Court judges’ salaries to 90 per cent of the salaries of federally appointed justices from the Supreme Court of Yukon, subject to exceptions in appropriate circumstances;
• extending the term of the Chief Judge from three to five years;
• providing flexibility for additional remuneration to be paid to Judicial Compensation Commission commissioners when the Minister of Justice considers it necessary;
• clarifying existing survivor benefit provisions; and
• confirming that the 2021 pension amendments took effect on December 2, 2021.

A fair and independent judicial compensation process helps attract and retain qualified judges and supports the Yukon court system.