Member, Canadian Statistics Advisory Council

The 2017 amendments to the Statistics Act created the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council. The membership of this Council is composed of up to 10 members, including one Chairperson. In addition, the Chief Statistician of Canada serves as an ex-officio member on the Council.

The Council’s mandate is to advise the Chief Statistician and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on matters concerning the overall quality of the national statistical system, including the relevance, accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness of its data. The Council publishes an annual report on the state of the national statistical system.

Members provide support to the Chairperson and will bring a broad viewpoint and expertise to the issues being discussed by the Council and provide thoughtful advice that encompasses the perspectives of all stakeholders. Members will assess multiple viewpoints, interests, and issues from a national perspective, as well as support the development of the annual report on the state of the national statistical system.

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 post-secondary institution in a relevant field of study (e.g., a field of study in which data and statistics are used) or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and experience;


• A degree in statistics, data science, economics, social sciences or any field providing considerable knowledge and training in research methods and quantitative analysis or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and experience would be considered an asset;


• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public or private sector organization, or as a senior executive answerable to stakeholders in the public or private sector;


• Experience in providing senior executives with strategic non-partisan advice on complex issues;


• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Assessing the performance of large and complex systems or organizations;
  
  
  • Contributing to the creation, writing, and publication of public reports on complex matters;
  
  
  • Working in international fora and/or addressing complex policy governance issues in the global context; or
  
  
  • Interacting with key stakeholders and different levels of government, preferably with senior officials.
  
  
  
  


• Experience in using new data sources and data collection techniques (e.g. unstructured big data and text analytic) and integrating them in large data infrastructure would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the Chief Statistician of Canada, the mandate and activities of Statistics Canada, the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council, as well as the legislative framework within which they operate;


• Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing national statistical systems and of the fundamental principles guiding their work;


• Knowledge of the digital transformation and the economic and social impacts, opportunities, and challenges of new or disruptive technologies, (e.g. internet of things, artificial intelligence) as well as their potential impact on the national statistics system would be considered an asset;


• Knowledge of the use of disaggregated data, for instance in the context of gender-based and diversity analysis, to explore the changing realities and inequalities of diverse groups of people would be considered an asset;


• Ability to perform assessments of complex systems or organizations, including strategies, plans, operations, and financial information to produce high quality analysis and provide sound advice while demonstrating integrity and independence through non-partisanship;


• Ability to assess stakeholder interests from a national and equity, diversity and inclusion perspective;


• Ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with other Council members; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Superior interpersonal skills


• Sound judgement


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Openness to compromise and working in diverse settings


• Initiative

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 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 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.


• You must be available for approximately 10 to 15 days per year for Board and related activities and travel, as required.


• You must be willing to travel across Canada, as 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 available here) will begin on January 13, 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.