Appointment opportunities | Archived opportunities 

Portfolio: Energy and Natural Resources

Position title: Chairperson

Organization: Canadian Energy Regulator

Headquarters location: Calgary, Alberta

Workplace location: Across Canada

Type: Part-time

Per diem: $675 - $800

Closing date: August 4, 2026

Opportunity number: 243561-67

Located in Calgary, Alberta, the Canadian Energy Regulator is an independent safety and energy lifecycle regulator responsible for federally regulated pipelines and power lines, energy development and trade.  

Its mandate includes, but is not limited to, issuing decisions, orders and recommendations on energy infrastructure; overseeing the construction, operation and abandonment of facilities; issuing orders with respect to traffic, tolls and tariffs; and advising and reporting on energy-related matters.

The Board of Directors is comprised of between five and nine directors, including the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and is responsible for the overall governance of the Canadian Energy Regulator and provision of strategic direction and advice. Acting collectively and in the best interests of the organization, Directors of the Board offer recommendations and insights to inform the organization's activities, focusing on strategy rather than day-to-day operations. 

Directors of the Board approve key governance documents and regulations within the Canadian Energy Regulator's authority and set its strategic priorities. They provide strategic guidance on performance, risk, financial management, governance and alignment with Government of Canada policies while respecting the independence of the Commission and Commissioners in regulatory decision-making. Directors of the Board also work closely with the Canadian Energy Regulator Indigenous Advisory Committee and seek its advice on how to build new relationships with Indigenous Peoples. 

The Chairperson of the Board leads the Board, overseeing its efficiency and ensuring it focuses on strategy rather than operations. The Chairperson presides over Board meetings, oversees the application of sound governance practices, and ensures the Board operates efficiently and responsibly. Serving as the principal liaison between the Board and the CEO, the Chairperson facilitates clear communication, coordination, and alignment among Board members, senior leadership, the Minister, and external stakeholders. The Chairperson represents the Board in official engagements, supports strategic planning and succession management, leads Board performance evaluations, contributes to the CEO performance assessment process, and ensures Directors receive appropriate orientation and ongoing development. Working closely with the Vice Chairperson, committee chairs, and advisory bodies, the Chairperson fosters effective collaboration while performing additional duties as assigned by the Board.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found by following the Organization website link above.

Education and Experience

Please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as engineering, environmental sciences, economics, law or another discipline related to the Canadian Energy Regulator's mandate;

• Significant leadership and management experience at the senior executive level in a private and/or public sector organization that has diverse technical and regulatory dimensions and requires decision-making on complex and sensitive issues, including major energy projects with related safety, economic and environmental considerations and having experience overseeing such initiatives;

• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and communities and other stakeholder groups, such as government, industry, and non-governmental organizations to build relationships and promote partnerships;

• Significant board governance experience, including the ability to seek the input of members, to foster discussion and debate, to facilitate consensus, to identify risks, to manage conflicts (should they arise), to ensure buy-in for final decisions and appropriate management of change;

• Experience at the senior management level in the Canadian or international energy industry in areas including project development, construction, trade, economic regulation, transportation, or regulatory oversight would be considered an asset;

• Experience managing senior-level scientific, environmental, energy or engineering organizations, including academic institutions would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The following criteria will be assessed:

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Canadian Energy Regulator, as well as its legislative framework and the regulatory and business environment within which it operates;

• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a Chairperson of a board of directors including understanding of the principles of sound governance, business practices, corporate planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of corporate performance, and public sector reporting requirements;

• Knowledge of key issues and priorities that the Canadian energy industry currently faces;

• Knowledge and understanding of the rights of Indigenous Peoples (section 35 of the Constitution Act), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples;

• Knowledge of Indigenous knowledge systems, as well as Indigenous Peoples' issues, concerns and priorities, as they relate to development, environmental assessment and / or environmental protection;

• Ability to provide senior leadership, vision, and strategic direction in order to manage and motivate an organization with technical and regulatory responsibilities;

• Ability to lead and manage change in a diverse and highly technical organization, seek the input of members, foster discussion and debate, facilitate consensus, identify risks, manage conflicts (should they arise);

• Ability to promote, through example, key values such as fairness, transparency, integrity, professionalism, collegiality and innovation.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency when assessing applicants. Your online profile must include your proficiency in speaking and understanding your second official language.

Personal Attributes

The following will be verified by references at a later date:

• High ethical standards and integrity
• Respect, fairness and impartiality
• Sound judgment
• Tact and discretion
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Leadership and collegiality

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace and to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. Appointees will be expected to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Candidates who belong to one or more of the designated employment equity groups are encourage to self-identify when applying. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• All appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout the duration of their appointment.
• All appointees are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of their appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities.
• All Appointees are subject to the Terms and conditions applying to Governor in Council appointees. They must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values, principles and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles throughout their time in public office. 
• Appointees must also respect the principles of any code of conduct that applies to the organization to which they are appointed.
• The appointee must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (statutory).
• The appointee is not eligible to be a director if they are the Chief Executive Officer, a commissioner or an employee of the Canadian Energy Regulator (statutory). 
• The appointee shall not engage in, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or in any other way, the business of producing, selling, buying, transmitting, exporting, importing or otherwise dealing in hydrocarbons, electricity or offshore energy (statutory).
• The appointee shall not hold any bond, debenture or other security of a corporation engaged in any such business (statutory).
• The appointee shall not hold other employment that is inconsistent with their powers, duties and functions or with any provision of the Conflict of Interest Act or a regulation made under it (statutory).
• The appointee must be willing to travel within Canada on a quarterly basis.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette and shared on the Government of Canada’s LinkedIn page.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be considered for other appointment opportunities.

How to apply

Candidates must submit their application package, including their curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2026, via the Governor in Council Appointments website.

To learn more or if you require support or accommodation to submit your online application, please visit the How to Apply page on the website. For alternatives to online applications, please visit the Application Assistance page.