Notice of Opportunity: North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC): Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group (TEKEG)

Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking to fill multiple positions on two advisory committees under the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) for the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Expert Group (TEKEG).

Under the Canada–US–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and its parallel Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (ECA), the CEC facilitates effective cooperation and public participation to conserve, protect and enhance the North American environment in support of sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations. The CEC’s governing body is a Ministerial-level Council, and activities are implemented by a Secretariat based in Montreal. The CEC Council receives advice from the JPAC and the TEKEG. Both committees are composed of nine citizens, three appointed by each country. Together, they advise the Council on a wide array of environmental issues within the scope of the ECA.

Positions: Both JPAC and TEKEG appointments are to take place in the winter of 2026.

This process may also establish a pool of qualified candidates to staff future vacancies for both committees. Both the JPAC and TEKEG members perform their duties independently and do not represent the position of any organization or special interest group. JPAC members must follow the Committee’s Rules of Procedure. TEKEG members must respect the Group’s Terms of Operation. Both documents are available on the CEC website.

Note that departmental officials will also consider the committees’ overall regional, sectoral, gender and demographic representation to ensure balance and diversity in the appointments.

Joint Public Advisory Committee

Context: The CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee supports public consultation and provides the CEC Council with advice on different trilateral initiatives and on a wide array of environmental issues within the scope of the ECA.

Key JPAC activities include  

• Attending JPAC meetings throughout the year, including at the CEC Council Session hosted at a different location in North America every year
• Hosting a public forum on the margins of the CEC Council Session and reporting its findings to the Council
• Interacting with members of the public and other stakeholders during public-facing meetings
• Providing regular feedback (written and oral) on CEC documents and proposing new initiatives of public interest
• Responding to requests from the Council

Time commitment / Position location: JPAC meetings are held in Mexico, the United States and Canada. The JPAC also holds regular conference calls to discuss CEC documents, meetings and JPAC events.

Remuneration: This is a volunteer position; members do not become a part of the Public Service of Canada as a result of this Ministerial appointment. Committee members do not receive gifts, honoraria or fees. Travel expenses incurred in the performance of duties are reimbursed at a level consistent with the National Joint Council (NJC) Travel Directive and Treasury Board of Canada Guidelines.

North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Expert Group

Context: The CEC Council established the TEK Expert Group in 2014, in recognition of the valuable and integral contribution that local and Indigenous communities provide to environmental decision-making. The TEKEG provides the CEC Council with advice on opportunities to apply TEK to the CEC’s operations and policy recommendations. The TEKEG may also provide advice and guidance on the application of TEK to ongoing CEC work and undertake other activities related to TEK as requested by the Council.

Key activities: Through work on the TEKEG, members will collaborate with other Indigenous representatives from across North America to support TEK in the CEC’s work. Members may also participate in public CEC meetings across North America, and provide recommendations and advice to the CEC Council. Activities may include the following:

• Attending TEKEG meetings throughout the year, including the CEC Council session hosted at a different location in North America every year
• Interacting with members of the public and other stakeholders during public-facing meetings
• Providing regular feedback (written and oral) on CEC documents throughout their term on the opportunity to apply TEK to current activities
• Proposing new initiatives related to TEK
• Responding to requests from the Council

Time commitment / Position location: The TEKEG meetings are held in Mexico, the United States and Canada. TEKEG members also meet virtually on a regular basis to discuss CEC documents, meetings and TEKEG events.

How to apply

If you would like to serve as a JPAC or TEKEG member, you are invited to express your interest by submitting the information requested below. Please indicate in your cover letter which Indigenous community/nation you identify with. 

Please submit your application to nominations-appointments@ec.gc.ca by January 19, 2026.

Your application should include:

• A cover letter (maximum 1,500 words) indicating your motivation to participate in the JPAC or TEKEG and how you meet the criteria listed below
• Your current CV
• Contact information for two references

To be considered for this position, candidates must provide a cover letter and CV clearly demonstrating how they meet the criteria listed below.

Eligibility criteria

Education and Experience

JPAC position(s)

• A degree from a recognized university or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience in areas related to the environment, public participation, environment-economy linkages and/or trade and environment issues
• Experience in leadership positions, which could include, for example, youth, Indigenous, business or advocacy leadership
• Experience in a field relevant to the work of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation

TEKEG position(s)

• A degree from a recognized university or an acceptable combination of education, cultural or lived experience, job-related training and/or experience in areas related to the environment, public participation, environment-economy linkages and/or trade and environment issues
• Previous involvement at the community level or beyond related to the application, sharing or preservation of traditional ecological knowledge within the context of environmental conservation and/or preservation of Indigenous culture
• Experience in a field relevant to environmental protection or conservation

Asset criteria for JPAC and TEKEG

• Experience in international or multistakeholder settings
• Experience with public consultations
• Experience conveying perspectives and advice to decision-makers in various group settings related to the areas of expertise

Personal attributes for JPAC and TEKEG

• Ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to provide recommendations orally and in writing with respect to environmental issues and/or TEK
• Initiative
• Ability to communicate effectively in English or French (Spanish is an asset but not required)

Official Languages and Diversity for JPAC and TEKEG

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that its appointments take into consideration the desire to achieve gender parity and reflect Canada’s diversity, in terms of linguistic, regional and employment equity representation. You are therefore encouraged to indicate in your application if you are a member of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, women, persons with a disability, visible minorities. The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. You are encouraged to indicate your ability to speak and understand your second official language in your application. Please note that there is no requirement to provide this information (i.e., provision of this information is voluntary).

Eligibility factors for the JPAC and TEKEG

• Members serve at the pleasure of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
• Members must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and reside in Canada
• Members must be willing and eligible to travel across Canada and North America

If appointed to this position:

• Members must comply with the ethical, political activity and conflict of interest guidelines applicable to federal Ministerial appointments. They are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website
• Members’ professional information may be shared publicly on a Government of Canada website

Pre-selected applicants will be contacted for interviews. References will be contacted to verify the eligibility of successful applicants, and to confirm other personal attributes such as interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively transfer knowledge.

This process may also establish a pool of qualified candidates to staff future vacancies on these committees.