Ontario boosts juror pay from day one

Ontario jurors will now receive $120 per day starting from their first day of service, as of today, Oct. 1, 2025.

The government says this new flat daily rate applies to all sitting days, including weekends and days when jurors are sequestered, for those not receiving income from their employer during jury duty.

Jurors must complete a self-attestation form to confirm eligibility for the payment.

Previously, Ontario jurors were entitled to:

• no fee for the first 10 days of trial
• $40 per day of service after the 10th day of service and up to the 49th day of service
• $100 per day of service after the 49th day of service.

Ontario continues to offer free, confidential counselling to jurors after their service, with up to four one-hour sessions available by phone, in-person, email or videoconference.

The government has also announced changes to how jury summonses are delivered, due to ongoing Canada Post labour disruptions. Jury summonses will now be sent by email, automated phone call, or courier, depending on the contact information available.

‘Long overdue reform’ to juror fees

Attorney General Doug Downey described the new compensation as a “long overdue reform,” noting that the province’s jury fee structure had not changed since 1989, says a CBC report.

“This long overdue reform will remove financial barriers, ease burdens on families, strengthen participation in one of our most vital aspects of democracy.”

Mark Farrant, CEO of the Canadian Juries Commission, welcomed the move, telling CBC that the increased compensation can help make juries more representative of Canadian society.

“Historically, juries have been made up of older Canadians, retirees, people working for large corporations or in unionized sectors where their salary or wages may be continued,” Farrant said, adding that the new pay could encourage more Ontarians from the wage and gig economy to serve.

Previously, we reported on a case involving an Ontario worker who breached his employer’s rules on reporting in during jury duty deserved serious discipline but not dismissal, as his misconduct was caused more by mental health issues than fraudulent intent. 

Jury compensation across Canada

Jury compensation varies widely across Canada. In Nova Scotia, jurors are paid $40 per day, and in Alberta, $50 per day.

British Columbia:

• $20 per day for the first 10 days of the trial
• $60 per day for the 11th to the 49th day of the trial
• $100 per day for the 50th and each succeeding day of the trial.

Alberta:

• $50 per day or part of day.

Manitoba:

• $80 per day.

Quebec:

• $103 per day or part of day
• $160 as of the 57th day of jury selection
• an additional $52 where there are evening hearings or deliberations (the indemnity is fixed at $103 where the deliberations continue until the following day)
• if hearings, deliberations or confinement to premises falls on a holiday, a Saturday, 26 December or 2 January, jurors are entitled to an additional $103 (or $160 as of the 52nd day following jury selection).

New Brunswick:

• if a trial lasts less than 10 sitting days:
  • $20 per one half-day
  • $40 for a full day
  • if a trial last 10 days or longer, a juror will be paid forty dollars for each half-day and $80 for each full day of attendance starting on Day 10 of trial.  

Nova Scotia:

• $40 per day.

P.E.I.:

• $25 per one-half day.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Employers have the legal obligation to continue to pay the same wages and benefits to jurors in their absence.

Yukon:

• $80 per day.

Nunavut:

• $100 per day for the first five days of trial
• $150 per day for the sixth and subsequent days of trial.

Northwest Territories:

• $80 per day.