Frequently asked questions

Thank you for your interest in Governor in Council appointment opportunities. Within each category below, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about Governor in Council Appointments and the online application system.

Technical support

I can’t log onto my profile. I receive an “invalid password” or “authorized users only” message. What do I do?

  1. Click on Forgot your password? above the Login button. Enter your email address in the field provided, and click Send. An email containing the password reset link will be sent automatically to the email address provided.
  2. If you are still experiencing problems with the new password, type in the password rather than cutting and pasting it from the email that was sent to you. Sometimes an extra space can be copied by mistake, which will render your password invalid.
  3. Other possibilities:
    • Enable your cookies.
    • Delete your cookies.
    • Update your browser to the latest version.

I am still experiencing technical issues. What do I do next?

Please contact us:

  • Email address: messages@pco-bcp.gc.ca
  • Phone number: 1-613-957-5153
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST (except statutory holidays)

When you contact us, make sure you have the following information:

  • The make and version of your Internet browser.
  • The version and type of operating system you are using.

I am unable to access the Njoyn system. What do I do?

We are committed to ensuring the accessibility of our online Application Tracking System (ATS). However, if you are having difficulty accessing any content on the application site, please contact us.

About Governor in Council appointments

What is a Governor in Council appointment?

In Canada, appointments to federal public organizations are made by the Governor in Council, meaning, the Governor General acting on the advice of the King’s Privy Council for Canada as represented by Cabinet.

Appointments are recommended to Cabinet by federal ministers.  Ministers are responsible for a portfolio of federal institutions related to their mandate.  In this capacity, ministers recommend individuals to the Governor in Council (meaning, to the Governor General via Cabinet) to serve as appointees within their portfolio.

Once approved by Cabinet, the Governor General signs an Order in Council to formalize the appointment.  Orders in Council normally specify the appointment authority (such as the applicable statute), the tenure (full- versus part-time) and the length of the term of the appointment.  All Orders in Council for Governor in Council appointments are available in the online Orders in Council database.

Further information about Governor in Council appointments can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.

What types of positions are appointed by the Governor in Council?

More than 2,000 individuals are appointed by the Governor in Council to serve as:

  • heads of agencies or commissions,
  • Ombudspersons,
  • Chairpersons of boards,
  • Chief Executive Officers of Crown corporations, and
  • members of quasi-judicial tribunals, among other roles.

Governor in Council appointees have a direct impact on the lives of citizens and make a significant contribution to Canadian society.

The responsibilities of appointees are diverse, and range from providing advice and recommendations on a wide variety of issues, to the management of large, diversified corporations.

Further information about Governor in Council appointments can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.

What are the principles that guide Governor in Council appointments?

The Government of Canada has implemented a Governor in Council appointment process that is:

  • Open – Selection processes are open to all interested applicants to provide the opportunity to serve as Governor in Council appointees. Outreach and recruitment activities are pursued to reach as many applicants as possible, and attract a strong and diverse field of highly qualified candidates.
  • Transparent – Information about the requirements and steps involved in the selection process is clear and readily available to the public. Appointments are publicly available in the online Orders in Council database.
  • Merit-based – The selection process is designed to identify highly qualified candidates who have the qualifications and personal suitability to fill the position, and who meet any eligibility factors and/or conditions of employment that may be required.
The Government is also striving for gender parity, and seeks to ensure that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. Recruitment strategies seek to attract qualified candidates who reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of:
 
  • linguistic capacity – the Government considers bilingual proficiency as part of its assessment of candidates;
  • regional representation; and
  • diversity (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority and ethnic/cultural groups).
Further information about Governor in Council appointments can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.

Applying for an appointment opportunity

Do I need to create a profile to apply for an appointment opportunity?

Yes. To apply for a Governor in Council appointment opportunity, you must first create your candidate profile by accessing the My Profile page. When you create your profile, you will be required to create a password. You will need to use your username and this password to access your profile and apply for opportunities of interest.

How do I apply for a Governor in Council appointment opportunity?

You can apply for appointment opportunities by following three steps:

  1. Browse the list of current Appointment Opportunities. When you find an appointment opportunity of interest, click the Opportunity title to learn more about the position.
  2. If you feel you meet the selection criteria, create or log in to your online profile by clicking Apply now within the Notice of Appointment Opportunity.
  3. Upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter, which should demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria. You may also need to complete a pre-screening questionnaire and/or an online assessment. If you need to complete an online assessment, you will receive an email with further instructions to guide you.

Do I have to create a new profile each time I apply for an appointment opportunity?

No. Once you log in to your online account, your profile will be automatically linked to every appointment opportunity you apply for. You may update your profile at any time before the assessment period for a particular appointment opportunity begins, after which time your application will be locked.

I missed the application deadline. Can you accept my application?

It is important to note that there are two types of application deadlines shown on Notices of Appointment Opportunity:

  1. closing dates; and
  2. application review dates.

Closing dates should be interpreted as being a firm deadline to submit your application. In fairness to all applicants, applications are not accepted after the closing date, nor are extensions granted.

Application review dates should be interpreted as being the date by which you should submit your application. This type of deadline is used for certain positions that are appointed by the Governor in Council to attract as many potential qualified applicants as possible. Applications received after the application review date are retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made.

What will happen after I submit my application for a specific appointment opportunity?

Once the assessment period has begun, you will be assessed through different means at various points in the selection process.

The Government of Canada is committed to conducting open, transparent and merit-based selection processes to support Governor in Council appointments, and to provide access to all Canadians by eliminating any undue barriers in the selection process. If you face a barrier to participation in a selection process due to a disability (including visual, hearing, communication and mobility impairments or other non-visible disability), please contact us to describe the nature of the barrier you face and describe the accommodation that you feel is required to remove the barrier. We will confirm with you through a written reply details of the accommodation to be provided.

What is the status of my application?

Status updates are not provided while a selection process is in progress. Applicants whose candidacy has been retained are advised of next steps in due course. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted. Please ensure that your contact information remains up to date in your online profile on the Governor in Council Appointments website so you can be easily reached.

Would you consider my candidacy for Governor in Council appointment opportunities for which I did not apply?

Under the open, transparent and merit-based approach to Governor in Council appointments, the Government is seeking to maximize candidates’ opportunities to be considered for appointments for which they are deemed highly qualified. Candidates who have provided formal consent will be considered for other potential opportunities.

When you create a profile on the Governor in Council Appointments online application system, you are asked to review a Consent and Declaration Statement. After you have reviewed the statement, you are asked to confirm that you agree to have your personal information collected. You are also asked whether you would like to have your personal information shared with relevant selection committees for the purpose of assessing your candidacy for other Governor in Council appointment opportunities that may match your background and skills. In addition, during the course of every selection process, all candidates interviewed by a selection committee are asked whether they are willing to be considered for other Governor in Council appointment opportunities that match their qualifications.

This talent management approach not only maximizes opportunities for individual candidates, but also increases the number of qualified candidates eligible for recommendation by Ministers to the Governor in Council for appointment.

Due to the large volume of applications we receive, you will be contacted only if you are being considered by selection committee members for appointment opportunities that are suitable to your background and qualifications.

How long does the selection and appointment process take?

The duration of the Governor in Council selection and appointment process from start to finish is difficult to predict. The duration of the process is dependent on many factors, including – but not limited to:

  • business continuity considerations, such as loss of quorum;
  • the triage of selection processes;
  • the nature and responsibilities of the position; and
  • the availability of applicants and selection committee members for merit-based assessments.

I was not appointed. Can you provide feedback on my application?

At this time, we do not provide applicants with specific feedback on their candidacy for appointment opportunities to which they have applied.

Are there alternative ways to submit my application, besides online?

Online applications are preferred. If you require support or accommodation to submit your application, please contact us.

Residents of Canada’s territories who are interested in applying for a Governor in Council appointment opportunity (or any other job for which applications must be submitted online) may also visit their territorial Community Liaison Officer / Client Service Agent / Government Service Officer who is prepared to provide them with assistance and support to access the Internet. Community Liaison Officers / Client Service Agents / Government Service Officers are also able to support residents of Canada’s territories with the use of a computer, word processing software, etc.

Residents of Canada’s territories may also use the following contact information to contact the local federal regional office:

  • Nunavut Regional Office of former Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
    1-800-567-9604 (service provided in English and French)
    867-975-4500 (service provided in English and Inuktitut)
  • Yukon Regional Office of former Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
    667-3888 (from within Whitehorse)
    1-800-661-0451 (outside Whitehorse)
    300 Main Street, Elijah Smith Building (main office in room 415C)
  • Northwest Territories Regional Office of former Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
    867-669-2500

I withdrew my application, but would like to apply to the position again. How do I do this?

Please contact us:

  • Email address: messages@pco-bcp.gc.ca
  • Phone number: 1-613-957-5153
  • Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST (except statutory holidays)

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