Saskatchewan residents selected as jurors will soon receive more financial compensation, as well as assistance with child care.
The Government of Saskatchewan is introducing the changes through the The Jury Amendment Act, 2019 and its Regulations. Effective September 1, jurors sitting on civil and criminal juries will receive $110 per day. Prior to these changes, jurors received $15 per day for civil trials and $80 per day for criminal trials.
The $15 fee currently paid to prospective jurors attending civil jury selection is being removed.
The amendments also include financial aid for child care and dependant care expenses. 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.
“Saskatchewan is grateful for the contributions of everyone who acts as a juror,” Minister of Justice and Attorney General Don Morgan said in a press release. “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.”
Further information on jury service and selection in Saskatchewan is available online.
