Statement by CBA Saskatchewan President Jessie C. Buydens on the 2026 Budget

A well-funded court system is essential to upholding the rule of law and improving access to justice. The Canadian Bar Association – Saskatchewan is pleased to see some positive steps forward in the 2026 Provincial Budget that will deepen investment in our courts and help modernize our court system, but we are concerned that a continued lack of funding in several key areas will not do enough to improve court delays and access to justice in the province.

Increasing the number of judges in our courts has been a key budget request by our Association for the last several years. We are therefore encouraged by the numerous judicial appointments announced in this budget that will help bolster our courts’ resources. This budget introduces four Associate Judges to the Court of King’s Bench who will handle routine procedural matters, freeing up the Justices to focus on more critical cases. We will also see three new Provincial Court judges and six new Justices of the Peace, a much-needed investment to help with the rising demand on the Provincial Court.

The Judicial Case Conferencing System, a pilot project funded by a federal grant, will have its funding extended under this provincial budget, ensuring this valuable system continues. Additional funding for the Judicial Scheduling, Tracking and Amalgamated Reporting (J-STAR) program will also be critical for improving service and managing caseloads with electronic filing.

However, as pleased as we are with these much-needed investments, the CBA Saskatchewan is concerned that some shortcomings in the budget will negatively impact access to justice. A significant cause of delays in our courts is a shortage of court staff. We have not seen any sign that this budget is addressing this deficiency. We are concerned that Legal Aid continues to be underfunded. We are also concerned that this budget may cut opportunities for summer student employment, and we are disappointed there have been no funds allocated to strengthening court security.

CBA Saskatchewan remains committed to advocating for a robust, well-resourced, and well-funded court system. The rule of law depends on it. We call on the government to do more to ensure our courts have the staff, resources, and financial supports needed to be part of an effective justice system for all people in Saskatchewan.

Jessie C. Buydens

President

CBA Saskatchewan