Accessibility Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission

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The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) is an independent body that is responsible for administering the Canadian Human Rights Act, which protects Canadians from discrimination based on any of the thirteen prohibited grounds of discrimination, such as race, sex and disability. The CHRC receives discrimination complaints, facilitates mediation to resolve complaints and, where a complaint cannot be settled or it is determined that further examination is warranted, refers the complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.


In addition to its complaints-handling mandate, the CHRC promotes and protects human rights by: producing policies, studies and reports to Parliament; providing advice on government legislation and policies; conducting public education and research; and engaging with civil society and other stakeholders, government departments, Parliament and other human rights institutions.


Established under the Canadian Human Rights Act as a member of the CHRC, the Accessibility Commissioner’s primary role is to provide executive leadership and direction for the administration and enforcement of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations in the areas within the Accessibility Commissioner’s jurisdiction. This includes establishing a dedicated Accessibility Unit that will:

1. Provide guidance to regulated entities and parliamentary entities and verify and enforce their compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, including in relation to accessibility plans, feedback processes and progress reports.



2. Undertake a range of proactive activities to promote compliance and prevent non-compliance with the Accessible Canada Act and regulations, including: inspections, production orders, compliance orders, notices of violation with warning or penalty, notices of contravention for parliamentary entities, and compliance agreements.



3. Receive, investigate, mediate and make decisions on complaints under the Accessible Canada Act and, when a complaint is substantiated, order remedies, including compensation, if the complainant has experienced physical or psychological harm, property damage or economic loss as a result of – or has otherwise been adversely affected by — the contravention of a regulation by a regulated entity or a parliamentary entity.



4. Proactively and effectively communicate and engage with persons with disabilities in Canada to inform them of their rights under the Accessible Canada Act, and to assist them in understanding compliance and enforcement processes, including the filing of complaints.



5. Operate in close collaboration with the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board, and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to put in place informal and formal mechanisms for the efficient and expeditious referral to the appropriate authority of accessibility-related complaints, applications and grievances; and to foster complementary policies/procedures and practices in relation to accessibility compliance and complaints-related matters. The Accessibility Commissioner will also cooperate with the Chief Accessibility Officer for the purposes of assisting the Chief Accessibility Officer in fulfilling their duties.



6. Develop and submit, to the Minister responsible for the Accessible Canada Act, an annual report on the Accessibility Commissioner’s activities, actions and decisions, and any observations in respect of systemic or emerging accessibility issues. The Accessibility Commissioner may also publish special reports to the Minister on issues arising from the administration and enforcement of the Accessible Canada Act.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

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.

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.

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 experience;



• Experience in providing executive leadership and management direction within a government, academic or business context;



• Experience in the interpretation of legislative and regulatory requirements;



• Experience in stakeholder management and outreach, including building and maintaining effective relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, senior officials from government, strategic partners within Canada and internationally, provincial and territorial governments, and with non- government and private sector organizations;



• Experience with the operation and conduct of an administrative tribunal and experience operating in a regulatory environment are assets; and
  



• Experience in the disability stakeholder community and/or lived experience, and experience with other languages such as ASL/LSQ or alternative modes, means and formats of communication are assets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the CHRC and the legislative framework in which it operates;
  



• Knowledge of the Accessible Canada Act, accessibility policy, emerging issues and program frameworks;
  



• Knowledge of the Canadian disability stakeholder community and their priorities related to accessibility;



• Knowledge of the federal jurisdiction, including an understanding of its complexity and the operational aspects of workplaces in this jurisdiction;
  



• Ability to build and nurture effective and collaborative working relationships with peers and staff, as well as with relevant government departments;
  



• Ability to lead by example, representing the organization’s mandate in various forums, including public outreach, bilaterally with other governments, and in the media;



• Ability to build an environment of common purpose, accountability and excellence within a large organization, and build organizational capacity and manage change; and



• Ability to build consensus and facilitate the resolution of disputes in innovative ways.
  

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Strategic thinking and innovative leadership



• High ethical standards, integrity and sound judgment



• Superior verbal and written communication skills*



• Adaptability to work effectively with a wide range of groups and individuals from different backgrounds, positions and socio-economic conditions

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.



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



• Relocation to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance may be required.

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 (more information here) will begin on June 28 2021. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website, by email at messages@pco-bcp.gc.ca or by phone at 613-291-6663. 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.

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

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 e-mail: messages@pco-bcp.gc.ca or call 613-291-6663.