Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada – Ottawa, ON

Federal Judicial Support Services

Safeguarding Judicial Independence

The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is a distinct federal agency based in Ottawa, established to support the administration of the federal judiciary. Operating independently from the Department of Justice, its primary mandate is to safeguard the independence of the judiciary by providing administrative support to all federally appointed judges in Canada. Located at 99 Metcalfe Street, the office administers the Judges Act and oversees a range of services including the management of judicial salaries, allowances, and annuities, as well as the coordination of judicial appointments.

Key Responsibilities

• Judicial Appointments: Administers the 17 advisory committees responsible for assessing candidates for federal judicial appointments across Canada.
• Language Training: Provides comprehensive language training programs to judges to improve their proficiency in both official languages.
• International Cooperation: Coordinates the participation of the Canadian judiciary in international cooperation projects and exchanges.
• Federal Courts Reports: Publishes the official reports of decisions made by the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
• Judicial Intranet: Maintains ‘JUDICOM’, a secure communication network for federal judges.

Office Access

This office primarily serves the judiciary and government officials rather than the general public. While it is a government facility, it does not offer walk-in counter services for legal advice or court filings. Visits are typically by appointment only for official business. The building is situated in downtown Ottawa, close to Parliament Hill, and adheres to federal security protocols.