Court Challenges Program Human Rights Expert Panel – Appointment opportunity

Positions

Positions are to be filled on the Court Challenges Program's (CCP) Human Rights Expert Panel for a term of up to four years.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and used for future appointments.

Court Challenges Program

Re-established in 2017, the objective of the modernized CCP is to provide financial support to individuals and groups in Canada to bring cases of national importance related to certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official languages and human rights before the courts. When it was relaunched, the CCP's initial budget was nearly $5 million annually. This amount has doubled to $10 million annually, until 2028. One-third of this amount is dedicated to clarifying official language rights. The rest is allocated to clarifying constitutionally guaranteed human rights, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as official language rights.

Previous programs have played a significant role in many of the major legal challenges related to official language and equality rights in Canada. They have helped groups and individuals to assert their rights and freedoms at school, at work and in their daily lives.

The modernized Program reflects the evolution of case law in Canada, with the range of eligible rights being expanded to include certain sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that relate to fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, the right to life, liberty and security of the person, as well as the vast majority of language rights guaranteed by the Official Languages Act.

The CCP is implemented and administered by an independent organization, the University of Ottawa. Funding decisions are made by two independent expert panels: the Expert Panel on Official Language Rights and the Expert Panel on Human Rights. These committees are composed of seven members and are responsible for assessing applications for funding for causes of national importance and allocating funds accordingly.

For more details on the CCP, including eligibility criteria and funding conditions, please visit the CCP website.

Remuneration

Expert Panel members do not receive a salary but are entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable travel and accommodation expenses as per the Treasury Board Directive. They are also entitled to an attendance allowance of up to $600 per day during the period during which the expert panels are meeting.

Diversity and inclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that appointments are made in a manner that achieves parity and reflects Canada's diversity in terms of language, regions, and employment equity.

The government also recognizes the value of being grounded in the realities of diverse communities and encourages people from these communities to apply.

We encourage you to voluntarily indicate in your cover letter whether you are a member of one or more of the groups identified above and/or have relevant expertise related to these communities: women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and members of official language minority communities.

It is not mandatory to provide this information.

Language requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

The government will take bilingualism into account when assessing candidates for this position. Therefore, we encourage you to indicate in your application the level of understanding of your second official language and your ability to write and express yourself in that language.

It is mandatory to provide this information in your cover letter.

Selection criteria

In order to be considered for this position, your cover letter must clearly demonstrate, with concrete examples, how you meet the following criteria:

Education and Experience

Graduation from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience related to the positions;
High level of expertise in the field of human rights, either under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or under federal, provincial and territorial human rights legislation;
Experience working or volunteering with organizations working in areas related to human rights.

If you are selected for an interview, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In-depth knowledge of the field of human rights;
Knowledge of systemic barriers and issues affecting groups seeking to advance rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
Knowledge of the structure and workings of the legal/judicial system in Canada;
Ability to review, classify and select cases for funding that would have significant significance and potential to clarify constitutional rights;
Ability to initiate policy discussions and facilitate consensus among the members of the Expert Panel and between the two Expert Panels;
Superior oral and written communication skills.

We will also contact your references to verify that you meet the requirements for the experience requested and that you possess the following personal qualities:

Personal qualities

Strategic thinking and sound judgment;
High ethical standards and integrity;
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Appointment

It is important that you demonstrate in your application that you meet the following requirements:

be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
be available for the position for a minimum of two years and until a replacement has been designated;
commit to meeting in person an average of four times per year (when conditions allow); and
Commit to participating in additional meetings by teleconference as required.

Before being appointed, you will need to demonstrate that you have no conflict of interest in relation to the position, and you will be required to complete a declaration of interest to that effect.

How to apply

Review of applications will begin on June 16, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications before this date.

The nomination package must include the following information:

a cover letter (3000 words maximum) explaining how you meet the selection criteria for your education and experience;
your curriculum vitae;
the names of two references and their contact information.

All documents may be submitted in English or French.

You must send your application by email to: PCH.droitsic-cirights.PCH@canada.ca

Your cover letter should be addressed to:

Danielle Labbé
Manager
Human Rights Program
Department of Canadian Heritage

Note

Information sent by email is not secure. Avoid including sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number and date of birth, in your application.

Privacy Statement

The personal information you provide is collected for ministerial appointment purposes. They can also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates and to compile statistical reports on diversity and employment equity. The information is collected under the authority of paragraph 4(2)(d) of the Department of Canadian Heritage Act and its use is described in Standard Personal Information Bank PSU 919 - Members of Boards, Committees and Boards.

Your personal information is protected by the Privacy Act. Under the Act, you have the right to request that you be provided with your personal information and to request the correction of inaccurate information. If you wish to exercise this right or request an explanation of this Privacy Statement, please contact the Director of Access to Information and Privacy at Canadian Heritage by email at PCH.aiprp-atip.PCH@canada.ca.

Page details

2026-06-04

Language selection

Search