FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, August 26, 1998
EDMONTON-The Lieutenant Governor in Council accepts the recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission with modifications in the areas of salary and pension. Annual base salaries for Provincial Court judges will be raised to $125,000 retroactive to
April 1, 1998, instead of $142,000 as the commission recommended. Judges will be required to contribute seven per cent of annual salaries to their pension plan instead of nine per cent as recommended. A further salary increase will take effect April 1, 1999, based on the average weekly earnings for Alberta as reported by Statistics Canada. Full details of the response to the Judicial Compensation Commission's recommendations and the reasons for modification (as outlined in the Order in Council) are provided on the attached pages.
"This compensation package is fair and reasonable," said Justice Minister Jon Havelock. "It's a good compromise between the recommendations of the Judicial Compensation Commission and this government's commitment to Albertans to maintain fiscal responsibility. I believe that Alberta is well served by the members of the Provincial Court and this package recognizes the court's importance and strength in this province."
The compensation package gives Alberta Provincial Court judges the fifth highest pay among their counterparts across Canada. A comparison of Provincial Court judges' salaries in other provinces is attached.
Havelock is pleased to have the Lieutenant Governor in Council's position on judicial compensation finalized well before the Supreme Court deadline of September 18, 1998. Canada's highest court gave all provinces one year, following its decision last September, to determine appropriate judges' salaries through an independent process.
Chaired by E. Susan Evans, Q.C., Alberta's three-member Judicial Compensation Commission was established March 3, 1998, to publicly examine Provincial Court judges' pay, pension and benefits. Other commission members included Louis D. Hyndman, Q.C. (representing the Alberta Government) and Roderick A. McLennan, Q.C. (representing the judiciary).
Havelock said he appreciates the extensive work the commission did in reviewing judicial compensation. "The report was very thorough and submitted on time. Commission members deserve much of the credit for ensuring that Alberta was able to meet the Supreme Court deadline on this issue," he said.
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For further information contact:
Peter Tadman - Justice Communications - Phone: (403) 427-8530
Minister of Justice and Attorney General - Phone: (403) 427-2339
Detailed Response to Recommendations of Alberta's Judicial Compensation Commission
Recommendation Response Current Status
A. Salaries
The commission recommends that,
effective April 1, 1998:
judges of the Provincial Court of Decision: increase base Provincial Court judges earn
Alberta receive an annual salary annual salary to $125,000 an annual salary of $113,964.
of $142,000; April 1, 1998.
The Chief Judge receives an
the Chief Judge of the Provincial Decision: accept additional $14,256.
Court of Alberta receives recommendation.
annually $15,000 in addition to
his annual salary as a judge; and
Assistant Chief Judges get an
Assistant Chief Judges receive Decision: accept extra $7,128.
annually $7,500 in addition to recommendation.
their salaries.
The commission further recommends
that, effective April 1, 1999:
judges of the Provincial Court of
Alberta receive an annual salary Decision: further
of $152,000. increase salary April 1,
1999 according to the
average weekly earnings
for Alberta, as reported
by Statistics Canada
survey of employment
payroll and hours for the
period from January 1,
1998 to December 31,
1998.
Detailed Response to Recommendations of Alberta's Judicial Compensation Commission
Recommendation Response Current Status
B. Pensions
The commission recommends that,
effective April 1, 1998:
the pension plan be made Decision: reduce Provincial Court judges do not
contributory, with judges contribution rate to 7% contribute to their current
contributing at the rate of 9% of of annual salaries for a pension plan.
annual salaries for a maximum of maximum of 25 years.
25 years;
benefits under the plan accrue at Decision: accept Pension benefit entitlement is
the annual rate of 2.67% of recommendation. 2% per year of service to a
judges' salaries; maximum of 35 years.
the calculation of benefits on Decision: accept Pension is based on maximum of
retirement be based upon the recommendation. $86,111 per year as capped by
judges' average salary over the 3 Revenue Canada.
consecutive years of service
during which the salary was the
highest;
Early retirement available at
provision be made in the plan for Decision: accept 55 with at least 5 years of
early retirement without penalty, recommendation. service, where combined age
if vested, at age 65 or after, and years of service equal at
provided that the sum of the least 80. Also at age 60
retiree's age and years of without 80 factor.
pensionable service equals at
least 80;
Pension benefits reduced by 3%
pension benefits for post-1998 Decision: accept per year for every year the
service be reduced by 3% for recommendation. judge retires before the age
every year the judge retires of 60 or for every year less
before the age of 65 or for every then the total of the judges'
year less than the total of the age in years plus years of
judge's age in years plus years pensionable service deducted
of pensionable service deducted from 80 years, whichever is
from 80 years, whichever is lesser.
greater; and
Maximum benefit is achieved
the plan provide that the years Decision: accept after 35 years of service.
to maximum benefit be 25 years. recommendation.
Detailed Response to Recommendations of Alberta's Judicial Compensation Commission Recommendation Response Current Status C. Other benefits The commission recommends that, effective April 1, 1998: long term disability coverage be Decision: accept Long term disability only extended to judges of the recommendation. provided until judges reach Provincial Court to age 70; and 65. long term disability coverage Decision: accept Benefits are limited to $6,500 should not be limited to $6,500 recommendation. per month or $78,000 per per month or $78,000 per annum annum. (should be limited to 70% of salary).
Comparison of Provincial Court Judges' Salaries Across Canada
Jurisdiction Annual Salary
British Columbia1 $134,000
Ontario $130,810
North West Territories $130,307
Yukon $129,234
Alberta $125,000
Nova Scotia1 $124,000
Quebec2 $113,492
Saskatchewan $112,961
Prince Edward Island1 $112,934
Newfoundland $102,000
New Brunswick $100,800
Manitoba $98,173
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