Is Jury Duty Mandatory in Ontario?
In Ontario’s legal landscape, the obligation to participate in jury duty is a fundamental aspect of civic responsibility. Ontario permits a jury of six individuals to deliberate in civil cases, unless statutory restrictions come into play. All Canadian citizens aged 18 and older can be called upon to fulfill their civic duty by serving as jurors when selected.
As of October 2025, jurors who are not compensated by their employer will receive $120 per day starting from their first day of service.
While employers in Ontario are not required by law to pay employees during jury duty, this updated government program helps reduce the financial burden of serving while balancing work commitments and civic obligations.
Can I Be Excused From Jury Duty?
Participation in jury duty is mandatory for Canadian citizens over the age of 18, but there are specific circumstances under which individuals may be excused.
Here are some explicit reasons for potential exemption:
- Occupational Exemptions: Individuals employed in certain professions critical to public safety, such as lawyers, police officers, and firefighters, may be exempt due to the nature of their work.
- Health-Related Issues: Individuals who are sick or facing health challenges during jury duty may be eligible for exemption. Proper documentation, such as a medical certificate, may be required to support this claim.
- Pre-Booked Travel or Other Personal Hardships: If an individual has pre-booked travel plans or is facing other personal hardships that would make serving on a jury overly burdensome, they may be eligible for exemption. Supporting documentation may be necessary.
- Ongoing Relocations: Individuals in the midst of relocating may request exemption from jury duty due to the disruptions associated with the moving process.
- Employment-Related Hardships: Employees who can demonstrate that serving on a jury would cause significant disruption to their professional responsibilities, potentially affecting their employment, may be eligible for exemption.
Requests for exemption or deferral are typically made to the court when summoned for the jury selection process or during the actual jury duty.
Only a judge can grant or deny such requests, and individuals seeking exemption must provide relevant and verifiable documentation to support their claim.
Compensation for Jury Duty
As of October 2025, Ontario introduced a significant reform to juror compensation, replacing a structure that had remained unchanged since 1989.
Previously, jurors received no pay for the first 10 days of service, $40 per day from days 11 to 49, and $100 per day from day 50 onward. This outdated system often created financial hardship and limited who could realistically serve on a jury.
Now, jurors who are not paid by their employer will receive $120 per day starting from their first day of service.
Employee Rights During Jury Duty
When an employee is serving on jury duty, several important rights and considerations come into play, emphasizing the protection of their employment status and entitlements.
Continuity of Employment
- Annual Vacation Entitlement: Jury duty does not disrupt the calculation of vacation entitlement. Employees maintain their accrued vacation benefits.
- Other Benefits: Employment benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and other perks continue during the jury duty period.
Wage and Benefit Increases
- Employees retain the right to any increases in wages and benefits they would have received if the leave had not been taken.
Reinstatement and Comparable Position
- At the end of jury duty, employers must reinstate employees to their prior role or, if not possible, to a comparable one with similar responsibilities and pay.
Severance Pay Considerations
- Termination during or shortly after jury duty generally warrants severance pay. Employers are legally bound to respect these protections.
Contact Achkar Law
If you’re facing an employment law dispute related to jury duty leave or any other workplace matter, you’re not alone.
Our team can provide the support, guidance, and representation you need to navigate complex legal challenges with confidence.
Not sure what your next step should be?
A quick conversation with an employment lawyer in Ontario can help clarify your legal options.
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The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Achkar Law Professional Corporation and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Achkar Law Professional Corporation. ©