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Ontario Jury Duty: Is It Mandatory, Do You Get Paid, and What Are Your Employment Rights?
If you receive a jury summons in Ontario, you are legally required to attend unless the court excuses you. Failing to appear without approval can result in fines and a requirement to appear before a judge. For employees, a jury summons also raises immediate questions about job protection, pay, and what your employer is required to do under the Employment Standards Act, 2000.
You may request to be excused or deferred by the court if you have a legitimate hardship, but you cannot simply ignore the summons. Your employer must provide job-protected unpaid leave and cannot discipline or terminate you for attending.
Did your employer discipline, demote, or threaten your job because of jury duty?
Retaliating against an employee for fulfilling a legal civic obligation is prohibited under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. Get advice before responding to your employer.
Call: 1-800-771-7882 Speak With an Employment LawyerKey facts about jury duty in Ontario
Who is eligible for jury duty in Ontario?
To serve on a jury in Ontario, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and reside in Ontario. You must also not fall within a category of persons who are ineligible or exempt under the Juries Act.
Your employer's obligations during jury duty
Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Ontario employers have clear legal obligations when an employee is summoned for jury duty.
| Obligation | What the law requires |
|---|---|
| Time off | Employers must allow employees to take unpaid leave for jury duty |
| Job protection | Employers cannot discipline or terminate an employee for attending jury duty |
| Reinstatement | Employees must be reinstated to their previous or a comparable position upon return |
| Pay during leave | Employers are not required to pay wages during jury duty, but some do voluntarily |
If your employer disciplines, demotes, or terminates you because you attended jury duty, that is a reprisal under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and may give rise to a legal claim. You are entitled to job-protected leave and must be reinstated when your service ends.
Did your employer retaliate against you for serving on jury duty?
Retaliating against an employee for fulfilling a legal civic obligation violates the ESA. If your employer punished you for attending jury duty, our team can advise you on your options.
Get Legal Advice Or call us: 1-800-771-7882Do you get paid for jury duty in Ontario?
Employers are not legally required to pay employees during jury duty, though some choose to do so voluntarily. For employees who are not compensated by their employer, the province provides a daily juror fee. As of October 2025, jurors who are not paid by their employer receive $120 per day starting from their first day of service. Previously, jurors received no compensation for the first ten days of service.
How long does jury duty last in Ontario?
Jury selection may take several hours or multiple days depending on the case. If selected to serve, trial length varies significantly. Some trials conclude within a few days, while others, particularly complex criminal matters, can run for several weeks or longer. The court will provide information about the expected duration at the time of selection.
Frequently asked questions about jury duty in Ontario
Is jury duty mandatory in Ontario?
Yes. If you receive a jury summons and are an eligible Canadian citizen residing in Ontario, attendance is mandatory. You may request to be excused or deferred by the court if you have a legitimate hardship, but you cannot simply ignore the summons. Failing to attend without court approval can result in fines and other penalties.
Does my employer have to give me time off for jury duty in Ontario?
Yes. Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, employers must provide unpaid job-protected leave for jury duty. They cannot discipline, demote, or terminate an employee for attending. Upon completion of service, the employee must be reinstated to their position or a comparable one.
Do you get paid for jury duty in Ontario?
Employers are not legally required to pay employees during jury duty. Jurors who are not compensated by their employer receive $120 per day from the province starting from the first day of service, as of October 2025. Some employers voluntarily continue to pay wages during jury service.
Who is exempt from jury duty in Ontario?
Certain individuals are ineligible or exempt under the Juries Act, including judges, lawyers, police officers, individuals involved in the administration of justice, persons convicted of certain offences, and those with serious health limitations. Seniors are not automatically exempt but may apply to the court to be excused based on hardship or health.
What happens if you miss jury duty in Ontario?
Failing to attend jury duty without court approval can result in a fine, a requirement to appear before a judge, and potentially additional penalties. Ignoring a jury summons is not treated as a minor matter by Ontario courts.
Can you volunteer for jury duty in Ontario?
No. Jury duty in Ontario is based on random selection from the provincial jury roll. There is no process to volunteer for service.
Questions about your employment rights during jury duty in Ontario?
If your employer failed to provide job-protected leave, retaliated against you for serving, or refused to reinstate you following jury duty, our team can help. We advise employees across Ontario on Ministry of Labour complaints and employment standards disputes. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
Call us at 1-800-771-7882 or fill out the form below and we will be in touch.
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