August 6, 2025

The Honourable Warren K. Winkler
Commissioner of 6th Deputy Judges Remuneration Commission
254 Lytton Blvd
Toronto, ON M5N 1R6

Dear Commissioner Winkler,

In accordance with Order in Council 1788/2006, the Report of the Sixth Deputy Judges Remuneration Commission (the "Commission") dated January 7, 2025 was submitted to the Lieutenant Governor in Council (“LGIC”).

The LGIC has given full consideration to the recommendations of the Commission. I am writing to convey to you the LGIC's response to those recommendations.

As the Commission noted, the question of an appropriate comparator for future Commissions is outside its jurisdiction. The government disagrees that the salary of Ontario Superior Court judges is the most appropriate comparator or that a fixed link should be created. Nevertheless, the government does agree that the recommended increases to remuneration over the term of the Commission's mandate are fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the government fully accepts the Commission's recommendations within the Commission period, which includes the increases to the per diem rate and the new expense allowance:

Per Diem

  • effective January 1, 2022, $812 per diem (an increase of 3%)
  • effective January 1, 2023, $836 per diem (an increase of 3%)
  • effective January 1, 2024, $861 per diem (an increase of 3%)

Expense Allowance

  • Effective January 1, 2025, an expense allowance of up to $750 annually as reimbursement for reasonable business-related expenses incurred by each active deputy judge, including expenses to facilitate remote hearings that are not consistently provided by the Province and for which the Province does not currently provide an expense allowance or reimbursement.

The government continues to value the work of Deputy Judges and recognizes that they are an integral part of the Ontario judicial system. As next steps, the government will proceed with the work to implement the recommendations.

The government wishes to thank you for your report and for carrying out this important work.

Sincerely,

[Original Signed by]
Hon. Caroline Mulroney 
President of the Treasury Board

c: Andrew Lokan, Counsel, Ontario Deputy Judges Association 
Sonia Patel, Counsel, Ontario Deputy Judges Association
Kathleen Howes, Toronto Deputy Judges Regional Association

Order in Council 1019/2025