Released on August 22, 2019
The Government of Saskatchewan is increasing the amount of compensation jurors receive. Jurors will also be eligible for new compensation for dependant care.“Saskatchewan is grateful for the contributions of everyone who acts as a juror,” Minister of Justice and Attorney General Don Morgan said. “Being a juror is an important civic duty, and these changes will ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to perform this duty regardless of their financial circumstances.”
“The right to be tried by an impartial and independent jury is fundamental to our system of justice,” Martel D. Popescul, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench for Saskatchewan said. “That fundamental right depends on citizens being available for jury service. The steps taken today will help to ensure jury duty is an opportunity and a privilege that all citizens are able to exercise.”
Effective September 1, 2019 jurors sitting on civil and criminal juries will receive $110 per day. The $15 fee currently paid to prospective jurors attending civil jury selection is being removed. Previously, jurors received $15 per day for civil trials and $80 per day for criminal trials.
New financial aid for child care and dependant care expenses are also being introduced. The amounts payable will be based on the actual expenses incurred, to a maximum of $40 per day for child care expenses and a maximum of $80 per day for elder or other dependant care expenses. Jurors who incurred these expenses before being chosen as a juror will not be eligible to claim those expenses retroactively.
Further information on jury service and selection in Saskatchewan is available at https://sasklawcourts.ca/index.php/home/court-of-queen-s-bench/jury-information.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Graham
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8621
Email: jennifer.graham@gov.sk.ca
Dawn Blaus
Saskatchewan Law Courts
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9602
Email: dblaus@sasklawcourts.ca