Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Energy Regulator

Located in Calgary, Alberta, the Canada Energy Regulator (Canadian Energy Regulator) is an independent energy lifecycle regulator responsible for federally regulated pipelines and power lines, energy development and trade. The Canada Energy Regulator also provides energy information to Canadians. As such, the CER sits at the fulcrum of many pivotal issues for Canada, including safe energy transmission, understanding Canada’s energy future, and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Chief Executive Officer of the CER is the deputy head of the organization and ensures alignment between the adjudicative work of the Commission, the strategic role of the Board, and the full staff. The CEO manages the day-to-day affairs of the Regulator and acts as its key representative in engaging with external partners.

To achieve results, the CEO brings in their deep expertise in energy regulation, direct experience of engagement and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, and awareness of the challenges and opportunities related to Canada’s energy transition.

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 achieve 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, such as energy, engineering, infrastructure, public policy, science, environment, Indigenous governance / law, public administration, business / commerce, economics, or law or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and / or experience;


• A graduate degree would be considered an asset;


• Significant management experience at the senior executive level in a private or public sector environmental, energy or engineering organization that has diverse technical and regulatory dimensions and requires decision-making on complex and sensitive issues;


• Demonstrated experience in leading and / or supporting transitions or transformational change in an organization;


• Demonstrated experience in leading and/or supporting alignment and integration across multiple areas of business;


• Experience with the interpretation or application of legislation or regulations;


• Experience interacting with government, industry, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous Peoples, communities and governments to build relationships and promote partnerships;


• Experience working with or in government regulatory agencies, including quasi-judicial tribunals, would be considered an asset; and


• Experience in environmental protection and safety matters as it relates to the energy sector would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Canada Energy Regulator;


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a Deputy Head of a life-cycle regulator – ensuring an appropriate level of technical expertise among staff to address complex energy projects involving engineering, economics, finance, legal, supply, markets, landowner and Indigenous partnerships;


• Knowledge of the structure and operation of the energy industry in Canada and abroad, and of the relevant Canadian and international policies and regulations;


• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound governance, including how to engage effectively with a Board of Directors and ensure a strong working relationship between a governance board and staff organization ; and business practices, including human resources and financial management, strategic corporate planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of corporate performance;


• Knowledge 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;


• Awareness 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 to manage and motivate an organization with technical and regulatory responsibilities;


• Ability to lead and manage change in a diverse and highly technical organization, foster discussion and debate, facilitate consensus, identify risks, manage conflicts, and ensure buy-in for final non-project related decisions;


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, senior government, non-government and community officials, Indigenous Peoples, communities and governments, and the media;


• Ability to negotiate divergent stakeholder positions and reach positive outcomes on complex, highly technical issues, taking into account, for example, environmental, health, economic, Indigenous rights and social implications; and


• Ability to focus and quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred. Please also include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand another language, such as an Indigenous language.

• High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality


• Sound judgment, proactive and solution-oriented


• Superior leadership, interpersonal and partnering skills


• Diplomacy, tact, ability for self-reflection, cultural sensitivity, confidentiality and discretion


• Strategic thinker and innovative leader

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 Forms and reference material.


• All appointees will be 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 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.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviors 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 behaviors 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 person is not eligible to be the Chief Executive Officer unless they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.


• Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, and for the purposes of the Conflict of Interest Act, the circumstances in which a the Chief Executive Officer would be in a conflict of interest while exercising the powers or performing the duties and functions of the Chief Executive Officer 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, either directly or within a mutual fund, exchange-traded fund, or blind trust;


• 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 a Commissioner or being employed by the Regulator.




• Under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act, a Director of the Canada Energy Regulator Board of Directors is not eligible to be the Chief Executive Officer.


• If you are appointed, you must reside in, or be willing to relocate to Calgary, Alberta, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance (Statutory).


• If you are appointed, you must be willing to work with the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (OCIEC) to ensure you are in compliance with both the Conflict of Interest Act and Canadian Energy Regulator Act.


• If you are appointed, you must be willing to travel nationally and internationally on Canada Energy Regulator business and to make presentations at conferences, events, or special interest groups on the Regulator's role.

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 July 26, 2023. Candidates should 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 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.