Notice of Opportunity — Are You Interested in Serving as a Member of the Impact Assessment Roster for Review Panels?

October 22, 2020 — The Government of Canada's Impact Assessment Act (IAA) came into force in August 2019 to strengthen environmental protection in Canada, restore trust in how decisions are made, and grow the economy. The IAA 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.

Could this be you?

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is seeking applications from persons willing to serve as members of the Impact Assessment Roster (IA Roster) for review panels under the IAA, including for integrated assessments with lifecycle regulators such as the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) or Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

The Agency is seeking individuals with knowledge or experience relevant to the Impact Assessment Act. Knowledge of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act or the Canadian Energy Regulator Act would also be asset. Applicants must also have knowledge of the interests and concerns of the Indigenous peoples of Canada that are relevant to impact assessments. Further details regarding requirements can be found below.

What is the IA Roster?

The IA Roster is a list of eligible candidates for appointment by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change as members or chairpersons of independent review panels mandated to assess the potential impacts of designated projects under the IAA. If members of the IA Roster are appointed to an integrated review panel, they could also be cross-appointed as Commissioners of the CER or Commission Members of the CNSC, as needed. The Agency has used a roster to select members for assessment by review panels since 2008.

An impact assessment by review panel is a public review of the potential impacts of a designated project and is conducted by an independent panel of experts. Integrated review panels are established when a designated project includes physical activities that are regulated under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act or the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

If appointed from the IA Roster, what does a panel member do?

Once appointed to a project-specific review panel, members conduct an impact assessment in accordance with their terms of reference and the requirements of the IAA. Panel members receive and analyze submissions, review documents, hold public hearings, and prepare and submit a report outlining their rationale, conclusions and recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Integrated review panels would also have additional responsibilities as required under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act or the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

How do I apply?

Candidates cannot be government employees and must be willing to work on a part-time basis. Information on how to apply can be found in either official languages on the Governor in Council appointments website.

To be considered, your curriculum vitae and cover letter should clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements below. Please include your answers to the screening questions in your letter. Review of applications will begin on November 9, 2020 and candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, applications will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Further details regarding eligibility, required qualifications, and how to apply can be found below.

What if I am already a member of the IA Roster?

If you are currently a member of the IA Roster and want to be considered for appointment to an integrated review panel with lifecycle regulators, which includes the CER or CNSC, you are required to re-apply. You remain eligible to be appointed to other review panels.

What happens next?

A selection committee will conduct the assessment and screening of applicants.

Successful candidates would be placed on the IA Roster for a six-year term and considered for panel appointments, as necessary. The Governor in Council could also consider successful candidates for cross-appointment to integrated review panels with the CER or CNSC, as necessary.

• Requirements

  Education and Experience

  • A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;
  • A degree in science, engineering, Indigenous studies, emergency management and security, economics and finance, data science or technology, land matters and land use, Northern affairs, or management systems would be considered an asset;
  • Experience in dealing with environmental/science, health, social, economic, engineering, safety, or regulatory issues;
  • Experience in the development, interpretation and application of legislative and regulatory frameworks or policies would be considered an asset;
  • Experience collaborating with and/or working in regulatory agencies, administrative tribunals or organizations involved in environmental/impact assessments (e.g. government, industry, academia or non-governmental organizations);
  • Experience in environmental / impact assessment, or making complex decisions, usually involving large amounts of technical evidence, and the need to balance the interests and rights of a diverse range of stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples;
  • Experience in conducting public or Indigenous consultation processes, such as building relationships, promoting partnerships and working with Indigenous Peoples and/or communities to support and/or shape decision-making processes; and
  • Experience in working with Indigenous Peoples in relation to development, environmental / impact assessment and/or environmental protection would be considered an asset.

  If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, the following criteria will be assessed:

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of principles and practices of environmental / impact assessment;
  • Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and/or the Canada Energy Regulator or Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, as well as their legislative frameworks, and the regulatory and business environments within which the lifecycle regulator operates would be considered an asset;
  • Knowledge in a field related to environmental / impact assessment, such as economics, engineering, environmental science, Indigenous knowledge, community development, finance or law;
  • Knowledge of the functioning of energy markets and the energy sector or nuclear fundamentals would be considered an asset;
  • Knowledge of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples (section 35 of the Constitution Act), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples would be considered an asset;
  • Awareness of Indigenous knowledge systems, as well as Indigenous Peoples' issues, concerns and priorities, as they relate to development, environmental/impact assessment and/or environmental protection;
  • Knowledge of administrative law, principles of natural justice, and the rules and practices followed by adjudicative tribunals in Canada would be considered an asset;
  • Ability to understand and interpret complex technical information and evidence across a broad range of disciplines and bodies of knowledge;
  • Ability to find innovative and factual solutions based on assessments, analysis, interpretation and evolution of information and data to address real or potential situations, requiring action and advance;
  • Ability to make timely decisions that are based on science, facts and evidence, Indigenous knowledge, and free of political interference and industry influence. This work would be done within a timeframe bound by legislated time limits and service standards; and
  • Superior communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to write clear and concise reports, analyses and decisions.

  Language Requirements

  The Government of Canada will consider diversity and bilingual proficiency in assessing applicants. You are encouraged to include in your application your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

  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 Personal Attributes:

  • High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality
  • Sound judgment
  • Superior interpersonal and communication skills
  • Leadership and collegiality
  • Tact and diplomacy

  Eligibility Factors and conditions of Employment

  • Canadian Citizen or permanent resident within the meaning of Subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Statutory),
  • A Director who is a member of the Board of Directors for the Canada Energy Regulator would not be eligible to be a CER Commissioner. (Statutory)
  • Willing and eligible to travel across Canada for public hearings or meetings.
  • Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.
  • All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a part-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics 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.
  • Appointees 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 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 in a positive and active manner.
  • Members appointed to an integrated assessment with the CER must also meet the conflict of interest requirements under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act. Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, and for the purposes of the Conflict of Interest Act, the circumstances in which a CER Commissioner would be in a conflict of interest while exercising the powers or performing the duties and functions of a CER Commissioner would include:
    • engaging 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;
    • holding any bond, debenture or other security of a corporation engaged in any such business;
    • holding other employment that is inconsistent with their powers, duties and functions or with any provision of this Act or a regulation made under it; and
    • holding office as the Chief Executive Officer or being employed by the Regulator.

  Remuneration

  Members of the Impact Assessment Roster are remunerated on a per diem basis for actual days worked. Once appointed to a specific review panel, rates of remuneration are $650 per day for chairpersons and $500 per day for members. Members of the Impact Assessment Roster are only remunerated once appointed to a specific review panel or, if required, to attend training.

  If appointed to an integrated review panel with the CER or the CNSC, the rate of remuneration may vary.

  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.