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Commissioner of Lobbying, Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying,

Appointment Opportunity

We know that our country is stronger and our government more effective when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. Moving forward, the Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous Canadians and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following position of:

Commissioner of Lobbying (full-time position)

Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada

Salary Range: $174,700 to $205,500

Position Location: Ottawa, Ontario

The Government has committed to setting a higher bar for openness and transparency and rebuilding trust in public institutions. Do you have the vision and motivation to guide government relations professionals and our senior decision-makers in upholding the lobbying aspects of this important commitment? This could be your next challenge.

Meeting the expectations of Canadians in the 21st century requires more than “business as usual”. The Government will deliver results and real change, while maintaining and enhancing Canadians’ confidence and trust in the integrity of the Government’s decision-making.

As the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, you will promote and safeguard a critical part of the public sector’s core values and ethics. The Commissioner is an independent Agent of Parliament who, through the Lobbying Act and the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct:

  • Develops and implements educational programs to foster public awareness;
  • Conducts reviews and investigations to ensure compliance with the Act and the Code;
  • Maintains and makes publicly available the Registry of Lobbyists, which includes information disclosed by lobbyists; and
  • Reports to both houses of Parliament on investigations.

In your role as Commissioner, you will work in collaboration with other senior public leaders and government relations professionals across Canada and around the world, in a professional and non-partisan manner. You will lead a dynamic team of experts to ensure transparency and accountability in the lobbying of public office holders.

The Commissioner holds office for a seven-year term and may be reappointed for a subsequent term.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada website.

Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the on-line application.

Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider diversity in assessing candidates for this position. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for this position, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:

Education and Experience

  • A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as law, ethics or public administration, or a combination of equivalent education, training and/or experience;
  • Significant management experience, at the senior executive level, in a private or public sector organization;
  • Significant experience in an oversight function with decision-making authority having an impact or influence over other organizations;
  • Comprehensive experience in managing investigation activities; and
  • Experience in representing an organization, communicating and consulting at a senior level with a broad range of private sector and public sector stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media.

If you are selected for an interview and further assessment, the following criteria will be evaluated:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks:
    • federal Lobbying Act and Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct and provincial lobbying legislation, in particular the mandate, role and responsibilities of organizations, responsible for administering and interpreting legislative and policy frameworks that support transparent and accountable government;
    • legislative and policy frameworks governing ethics and transparency in government, including the Conflict of Interest Act, the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act, and the various values and ethics codes for federal public office holders; and
    • legal principles, procedures and practices involved in conducting an investigation, particularly as they relate to evidence, legal interpretation and natural justice.
  • Understanding of the context in which the Commissioner works:
    • the Westminster system of parliamentary government and the work of parliamentary committees;
    • the role of an agent of Parliament and the relationship with Parliament and the Government; and
    • the practices, principles and policies underlying interactions between federal government institutions and the private sector, including government consultation methods, government contracting rules and private sector lobbying techniques.
  • Leadership acumen:
    • ability to lead and manage a public sector organization and to define its strategies and objectives;
    • ability to guide the interpretation of provisions of various statutes, regulations, policies and other enabling frameworks; and
    • ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations with a view to taking sound decisions that are reasonable and fair.
  • Strong communicator:
    • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and
    • Proficiency in both official languages (as set out in the Language Skills Act).

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

In your application, it will be important that you confirm you meet the following requirements:

  • The Language Skills Act requires that upon appointment the Commissioner must be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.
  • The Lobbying Act requires that the Commissioner shall engage exclusively in the duties of the office of Commissioner under the Act or any other Act of Parliament and shall not hold any other office or employment for reward.
  • You reside in or are willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.
  • You are willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

If you are appointed to this position:

You must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout your appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments Web site, under Forms and reference material.

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website.

Personal Attributes

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references and conduct other assessments as required to verify how you have demonstrated the experience and eligibility requirements, as well as the following attributes, in your current and recently held positions:

  • Strong ethical standards
  • Sound judgment
  • Impartiality
  • Tact
  • Good interpersonal skills

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

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