New legislation will create an independent process to set salaries for Nova Scotia’s justices of the peace.

Justice Minister Lena Diab introduced amendments to the Justices of the Peace Act and Provincial Court Act today, Dec.

5, that will set out a new tribunal structure for determining compensation. The amendments will also align the timing of salaries and benefits tribunal reports for judges and presiding justices of the peace with government’s budget process.

“Justices of the Peace perform important tasks like issuing subpoenas and emergency protection orders to free up judges’ time,” said Ms. Diab. “They believe their salaries should be set by an independent body, and the court agrees. That’s why we’re introducing these legislative changes–to create a new structure that is objective, efficient and fair.”

In February, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia ruled that an independent process was needed to set compensation for presiding justices of the peace. The Department of Justice was given 12 months to make these changes.

Under this new process, the chair of the judges’ compensation tribunal will also act as a one-person tribunal for the presiding justices of the peace. This model is used in Saskatchewan.

Source: Release