Mr. Chairman, there are five judges on the territorial court. The percentage increases came in two stages. We increased the judges' base salaries by 4.9 per cent, effective April 1, 1992 and we increased their base salaries by a further 3.09 per cent, effective April 1, 1993. As well, we increased their salaries, retroactive to what was agreed to in the collective agreement: zero per cent and then 1.8 per cent for 1992-93 and 1993-94, to provide economic increases in line with the other groups.
The increase in their salaries in 1994-95 and future years will be according to the annual economic increases awarded to deputy ministers. But, we recognized that the judges were working much longer hours, under more trying conditions than their southern counterparts, and with a greater workload. As well, they take a lot of time to participate and work with local justice committees. Given the larger than average workload, we suggested that the territorial judges should be paid in the upper range of judicial salaries across Canada. Their wages should be comparable to the senior managers in government, that is, to deputy ministers.
We have moved up in the bracket salary-wise for judges at this level, to a level comparable to and perhaps a little better than in most jurisdictions in Canada, considering the cost of living, the workload, and the working conditions these judges work under. So, it has caught up and is in line with senior managers, or deputy ministers. It has caught up and stays in line with it, based on inflation and whatever increases we give on an annual basis.