The income level of judges in Canada

The income level of judges in Canada 

What is the income level of judges in Canada? 

In the independence and efficiency of the judicial system, the role of judges is the most important issue. Therefore, the income level of these individuals is of great importance in judicial systems. In Canada, judges' income is higher compared to other segments of society. However, they are not allowed to engage in other suitable professions and must be present in courts and fully comply with judicial standards. 

The reason for the high salary of judges is to preserve their judicial independence. These individuals, with national security, can make independent decisions without being influenced by financial pressures from external sources. For Supreme Court judges, no assistance costs or retirement benefits are considered, so the salaries of federal judges are included in the first part of the Judges Act. Additionally, their annual salary increase is the lowest percentage of change in the Canadian Consumer Price Index at 7%. 

The salaries, benefits, and allowances of judges are reviewed once every 4 years by an independent Commission on Judges' Compensation and Benefits. The commission's report and recommendations are presented to the Minister of Justice and Parliament. The Minister of Justice decides on this report every 6 months. In 2016, a salary of $373,900 was projected for a Supreme Court judge, and a salary of $403,800 was projected for a senior judge. Federal and tax court judges received approximately $316,100, and senior judges received $346,400. In that year, superior court judges had a salary eight times higher than Canada's annual income. 

Restrictions on judges' employment 

In Canada, there are restrictions on judges' employment to preserve judicial independence, impartiality, and public confidence in judgments and judicial decisions. Generally, Canadian laws allow judges to work only in the judicial sector, either as active judges or without engaging in other activities. In other words, judges in Canada cannot work full-time or part-time in addition to their judicial duties. Furthermore, judges in Canada are required to refrain from any political activity and cannot be members of a party or group that directly or indirectly seeks to participate in elections. 

Additionally, judges in Canada are required to abstain from any commercial activity or participation in companies as shareholders, directors, consultants, or in any other capacity. These employment restrictions are set to preserve judicial independence and impartiality and to prevent any interference between the judicial profession and other commercial and political activities. In general, the restrictions on judges' employment in Canada are determined to preserve judicial independence, impartiality, and public confidence in judgments and judicial decisions, and judges are obligated to comply with these restrictions. 

Taxation 

A portion of judges' annual salaries and benefits is deposited into the pension fund, and the rest is subject to federal income tax. For judges in the early years of their careers, the tax rate may be higher than usual. Judges and their associates also report their income at the end of each calendar year. Regulations regarding earned capital taxes and any outstanding taxes concerning judges are examined. 

Benefits and allowances for judges 

These individuals are entitled to benefits and allowances such as relocation expenses when assuming a judicial position, including travel expenses for the judge and their family, transportation and storage of furniture, expenses related to selling or terminating the lease of the previous residence, the difference in mortgage between the new and previous residence, and expenses incurred if the property is vacant, deducted from the rental income received. 

In the event of the death of a judge, what benefits are provided to their family? 

If a judge dies during their service, one-sixth of their annual salary is immediately paid to their spouse. The annual pension is one-third of the judge's salary or half of the annual allowance, as specified by law. This pension is granted to the judge's spouse after their