Are you interested in joining the Minister's Advisory Council on Impact Assessment?

Notice of opportunity

August 27, 2020 – The Government of Canada's Impact Assessment Act came into force in August 2019 to strengthen environmental protection in Canada, restore trust in how decisions are made, and grow the economy. The Act prescribes new rules that mean decisions on projects will be guided by science, evidence and Indigenous knowledge. Assessments will look at proposed projects' broader impacts, both positive and negative, including environmental, economic, social, and health.

As a continuation of that process, the Government is now seeking to establish a diverse and non-partisan advisory council to ensure the successful implementation of the impact assessment process.

Could this be you?

The Government of Canada is seeking applications from individuals who possess diverse and varied backgrounds that are interested in serving as members of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change's Advisory Council.

Indigenous peoples, the public, and representatives from areas such as industry, academia, interest groups, non-government organizations, and government are invited to apply. Nominations of individuals by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis entities are encouraged.

What is the Minister's Advisory Council?

The Minister's Advisory Council will provide the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with non-partisan advice on issues related to implementation of the Impact Assessment Act.

The establishment of the Minister's Advisory Council is a requirement under the Impact Assessment Act. It will be responsible for providing independent, objective advice on the effectiveness and implementation of impact assessment processes in Canada.

What will it do?

The Council will advise on areas such as governance, regional and strategic assessment, and early planning for impact assessments.

It will also advise on whether Canada is achieving transparency and predictability for proponents and the public, helping to identify issues early, and creating efficiencies to best support decision-making in the public interest.

The Council will be composed of seven to 11 members, including the Chairperson. It is expected that the Council will meet two to four times per year. Given the current uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, meetings will take place virtually, with the potential for face-to-face meetings in the future. Additional meetings, such as sub-working group meetings, may be held to discuss key issues of interest and prepare advice for the Minister.

How do I apply?

To apply, or for more information regarding the Terms of Reference for the Council, please contact iaac.minac-secretariat-ccm.aeic@canada.ca. Further details regarding qualifications and how to apply can be found below.

You can apply until September 30, 2020.

What happens next?

The assessment and screening of applicants will be done by an evaluation committee that includes representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Office for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Applicants will be assessed through a merit-based process and evaluated on the criteria below, according to depth of experience and knowledge. The appointees to the Council will be announced at a later date.

• Qualifications

  Eligibility Factors and Conditions

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (statutory);
  • Willing and eligible to travel across Canada for in-person Council meetings, when required. It is expected that the majority of potential in-person meetings will be in Ottawa;
  • Not employed in the Public Service of Canada during the term of office on the Council; and
  • Prior to being appointed as a member of the Council, candidates must declare that they are unbiased and free of any conflict of interest in relation to impact assessment in Canada.

  Evaluation Criteria

  Applicants will need to demonstrate in their application that they have experience related to the mandate of the Council.

  The Council will be made up of candidates with a broad range of experiences and qualifications. Therefore, applicants should provide examples in their letters of interest that clearly demonstrate how they meet one or more of the following asset criteria:

  • Experience in making decisions requiring an objective and careful balance of conflicting or contradictory considerations;
  • Experience participating in a consensus-based environment for decision-making and dispute resolution.
  • Experience in the development of strategies, objectives, plans and best practices in corporate governance, and/or the development or application of legislative and regulatory frameworks and policies;
  • Experience building relationships, promoting partnerships and working with Indigenous Peoples and communities, or senior levels of government, industry or other stakeholder groups;
  • Experience in areas related to impact assessment, such as Gender Based Analysis+, human health, economic analysis, Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, climate change;
  • Experience in impact (or environmental) assessment;
  • Experience in public policy environments;
  • Experience working with senior industry, provincial or federal government, or non-government officials;
  • Experience on a board of directors/trustees of a public, private or not-for-profit sector organization;
  • Experience as a senior executive in the public, private or not-for-profit sector; and
  • Experience as a senior executive or appointed role with a Canadian independent regulator in the natural resource sector.

  Personal Attributes

  If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following:

  • High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality;
  • Sound judgement;
  • Tact and diplomacy;
  • Superior interpersonal and communication skills; and
  • Collegiality.

• How to Apply

  If you are interested in applying to become a member of the Council, please submit the following documents to iaac.minac-secretariat-ccm.aeic@canada.ca by September 30, 2020:

  • Letter of Interest (maximum of three pages), including information on:
  • How you meet the criteria (significant experience in areas relevant to the Council's mandate and one or more of the evaluation criteria);Contact information for two references that can speak to:
  • Why the candidate is suitable for membership on the Council from the person/organization's perspective; and
  • Examples of past experience working with the candidate or experiences that the candidate possesses that relate to the listed qualifications.
  • Curriculum vitae, including information on:
  • Relevant experience, expertise and any publications or professional credentials.
  • Indigenous people interested in applying for any of the three positions intended for members recommended by an Indigenous governing body or other entity that represents their interests should include a letter of support from such an organization.

• Official Languages and Diversity

  The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions.

  The Government 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 can voluntarily indicate, in your letter of interest, if you are a member of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, disabled persons and members of visible minorities. Preference may be given to members of these groups. Provision of this information is not mandatory.

• Remuneration

  The time that members spend to prepare for and participate in meetings will be remunerated at a per diem rate of $400 for members and $500 for the Chairperson. Approved travel expenses will also be covered for members, in accordance with relevant Government of Canada policies including the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.