Chairperson, Canadian Transportation Agency

Headquartered in the National Capital Region, The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator that has, with respect to all matters necessary for the exercise of its jurisdiction, all the powers of a superior court.

The Chairperson is the chief executive officer of the Agency and has the supervision over and direction of the work of the members and its staff, including the apportionment of work among the members and the assignment of members to deal with any matter before the agency. The Chairperson oversees the provision of fair administrative decisions, regulatory interventions, and mediation of disputes relating to the federal transportation system. As the head of the Agency, the Chairperson and Member leads and manages the organization and its administration, staff, and budget resources and as an Agency Member, the Chairperson adjudicates and makes determinations regarding economic regulatory matters.

Diversity and Official Languages

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile 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.

Education and Experience

• Graduation with a degree from a recognized university or acceptable combination of equivalent education, training and job related experience;


• Graduation from a recognized university with a degree in the field of transportation, economics, law, public administration, business administration, or commerce may be considered an asset;


• Experience providing organizational leadership and managing at the senior executive level in private or public sector organizations with multiple mandates;


• Experience as a chairperson, deputy head, deputy minister or chief executive officer would be considered an asset;


• Experience in the interpretation and application of laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures;


• Experience in one of the federally regulated transportation sectors (aeronautics, rail, motor vehicle, marine), in administrative law and/or adjudicative tribunals or economic regulators would be considered an asset;


• Experience in the development and/or implementation of policy, performance standards and operational procedures;


• Experience developing and maintaining successful relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders; and


• Experience in matters related to accessibility for persons with disabilities or in the area of consumer protection would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate, mission and activities of the Canadian Transportation Agency, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;


• Knowledge, including current Canadian trends, issues and developments, of one or more of the following: the air sector, the rail sector, the marine sector, accessibility and disability issues, commercial shipping, and consumer protection;


• Financial literacy and knowledge of the operations of government including those related to sound management principles, accountability and transparency, and federal government planning and reporting processes;


• Knowledge of the interpretation and application of legislation, regulations and policies in a decision-making environment;


• Excellent managerial and leadership skills including the ability to manage significant change and conflicting priorities;


• Ability to analyze differing opinions and complex technical situations; to synthesize key information; to make informed, impartial, fair, well-reasoned and timely decisions; and to anticipate short and long term consequences in a rapidly evolving environment;


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the Minister and government officials while maintaining the degree of independence required of an adjudicative tribunal; and


• Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clear and concise reports, analyses and decisions.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality


• Leadership and sound judgment


• Conceptual and innovative thinking


• Superior interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy


• Adaptability and flexibility

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• 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 full-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.


• A member appointed shall not, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, be engaged in a transportation undertaking or business; or have an interest in a transportation undertaking or business or an interest in the manufacture or distribution of transportation plant or equipment, unless the distribution is merely incidental to the general merchandising of goods (statutory).


• If an interest vests in a member appointed for the benefit of the member by will or succession, the member shall, within three months after the vesting, absolutely dispose of the interest (statutory).


• A member shall be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2 (1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection (statutory).


• The members appointed under subsection 7 (2) shall reside in the National Capital Region described in the schedule to the National Capital Act or within any distance of it that the Governor in Council determines (statutory).


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

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

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

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on July 3, 2020. Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.