Ottawa, March 3, 2026 – The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), representing more than 3,500 federal lawyers and prosecutors, proactively raised the tax treatment of retroactive wage payments issued in 2025 under the Collective Agreement with the employer.

Many members received retroactive payment in 2025, long after the 180-day period set out in the Collective Agreement. As a result, members who meet certain criteria may be entitled to file an individual grievance regarding the tax consequences of these late retroactive payments.

The potential impact varies by province and territory and depends on individual income levels. Our members have been advised to review their 2025 T4 carefully and to be mindful of applicable grievance timelines.

We continue to protect members’ financial interests and continue to work to hold the employer accountable for unintended harm from its late implementation of the Collective Agreement.  

ABOUT THE AJC  

The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) is the union defending Canada’s legal team. Our 3,500+ members are Federal Crown Counsel and articling students employed by the Government of Canada in the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and in various federal agencies, tribunals and courts across Canada.  

MEDIA CONTACT  

The Communications Department  
Association of Justice Counsel  
300–2725 Queensview Drive  
Ottawa, ON, Canada  
K2B 0A1  

Phone: (613) 798-9900  
Toll-Free: (866) 218-3310  
Fax: (613) 564-0606  
Email: admin@ajc-ajj.ca

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