Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada ensures federally regulated financial entities, including financial institutions, external complaints bodies, and payment card network operators, comply with consumer protection measures set out in legislation. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada also promotes financial education, raises consumers’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities, and works to strengthen the financial knowledge, skills and confidence of Canadians.

As an independent body, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is responsible for:

• supervising financial entities compliance with the consumer-oriented provisions of federal financial institution statutes, terms and conditions and undertakings;


• promoting the adoption by financial entities of policies and procedures designed to implement the consumer-oriented provisions of federal financial institution statutes and of ministerial terms and conditions and undertakings;


• monitoring the industry’s self-regulatory initiatives designed to protect the interests of consumers and small businesses;


• monitoring and evaluating trends and emerging issues that could impact financial consumers;


• promoting consumer awareness of financial consumer issues and strengthening financial literacy of consumers; and


• fostering, in cooperation with stakeholders, an understanding of financial services and issues related to financial services.

The Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is responsible for the management and operations of the organization.

The Commissioner acts as the principal representative of the Agency with senior federal and provincial government officials, national and international regulatory agencies. The Commissioner also works to build strong and successful relationships with the regulated industry, and other stakeholders to help achieve the Agency’s goals.

Budget 2018 proposes to introduce legislation that would strengthen the Agency’s tools and mandate and continue to advance consumers’ rights and interests when dealing with banks. The Commissioner will be at the forefront of managing and implementing changes to the regulatory environment, while remaining well informed of trends and emerging issues in the financial services sector.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's website.

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.

To be considered, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements:

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in business, public administration, economics or law, or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training and/or experience;


• A graduate degree from a recognized university in business, public administration, economics or law would be considered an asset;


• Experience in change management and as a leader of a changing organization;


• Executive-level management experience (including human and financial resources) in a private or public sector organization;


• Experience in stakeholder management and outreach, including building and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders and senior officials from government;


• Experience in the interpretation and application of legislation and regulatory requirements or experience with the operation and conduct of a regulatory agency, a financial institution, or another organization operating in a regulatory environment would be considered an asset; and


• Experience in contributing to financial sector policy discussions, or in reporting to or serving on a board of directors 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 the mandate and activities of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the legislative framework in which it operates;


• Knowledge of trends and emerging issues in the financial sector, including how technological changes are influencing the sector and can be used to the benefit of consumers;


• Knowledge of regulatory and supervisory frameworks;


• Knowledge of market conduct and consumer policy issues, and financial literacy and consumer education approaches;


• Understanding of Canadian public policy priorities;


• Knowledge of how quantitative methods can be used to better understand the financial sector and consumer behavior;


• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including at a senior level;


• Ability to manage and motivate to effect major organizational change and achieve positive outcomes;


• Ability to undertake public outreach using superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to act as Financial Consumer Agency of Canada spokesperson in dealing with stakeholders, the media, public institutions, governments, and other organizations;


• Ability to promote a proactive supervisory approach; and


• Ability to take a forward-looking approach in evaluating emerging issues.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on the 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 and integrity


• Sound judgement


• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills


• Initiative


• Engagement


• Resilience

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.

• If you are appointed to this position you may not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, any shares of any financial institutions, bank holding company, insurance holding company or of any other body corporate, however created, carrying on any business in Canada that is substantially similar to any business carried on by any financial institution.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must willing to travel regularly within Canada and abroad to attend meetings and participate in international forums in support of the Agency’s activities.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this positions. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on June 27, 2018. 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.