Jury duty is a civic duty in Alberta, and Canada in general.
If you are a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years of age, you can be summoned for jury duty.
In Alberta, potential jurors are selected at random from the Alberta Motor vehicle registry.
Do you get paid for jury duty in Alberta?
Yes, you get paid $50 per day for jury duty in Alberta.
You will also be reimbursed for reasonable expenses involved in carrying out your duty as a juror.
Some reimbursements may include items like food, babysitters and hotel rooms. These costs, if approved, are paid by the government of Alberta.
It is important to point out that these payments are only for jurors who have been selected to be on the jury.
When you respond to a summons, there is a jury selection process that is conducted first. Expenses incurred during this stage are out of your own pocket.
The unpaid jury selection, and the $50 per day jury payment, are both topics of much political debate. Some have argued for an increase in jury pay, and the addition of pay for jury selection.
Does Your Employer Have to Pay You for Jury Duty in Alberta?
No, employers do not have to pay employees for jury duty in Alberta.
Some employers may choose to do so voluntarily. In some cases, paid jury duty is part of an employment contract or bargaining agreement as a perk.
While an employer is not legally obligated to cover jury duty pay (unless previously agreed to), employers absolutely must allow employees time off.
There are stiff fines and penalties for employers who do not allow time off for employees for jury duty.
What are the Penalties for Ignoring a Jury Duty Summons?
You must respond to a jury duty summons. If you do not respond to the summons, the possible consequences are a fine up to $1000, jail time up to 1 month, or some combination of the two.
If you feel you are ineligible for jury duty, or deserve an exemption , you can respond to the summons by filling out the exemption section.
If you apply for an exemption, it does not automatically mean it will be approved.
In Summary
- Yes you get paid for jury duty in Alberta.
- The Alberta provincial government currently pays $50 per day plus reasonable expense reimbursements for jury duty.
- There is no pay for potential jurors during the preliminary jury selection phase.
- Employers do not have to pay employees for jury duty, but they face possible fines and jail time if they try to prevent you from performing your civic duty.
