President, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Housing is critical to the economic and social well-being of Canadians. It helps people stay employed, do better in school and participate more fully in society. Housing affordability and a stable and sustainable housing finance system also support a stronger, safer Canada where everyone can live with dignity. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is a Crown corporation governed by a Board of Directors and accountable to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. It has been helping to house Canadians for over 70 years, and is committed to its aspiration that by 2030, everyone in Canada will have a home that they can afford and that meets their needs.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is an integral part of the Canadian housing system, helping to ensure financial stability in markets, access to capital for new development and existing multi-unit residential portfolios. It has a dual role in developing and delivering mortgage insurance and related commercial products as well as assisting in the delivery on Government of Canada housing policy and programs targeted to increasing the affordability of housing for Canadians.

Canada is facing a shortage of adequate and affordable housing that meets the needs of Canadians across the country. The Government of Canada recognizes the significance of this challenge along with the need for all orders of government, Indigenous partners, the private sector and the non-profit sector to work together to develop implementable solutions that meet Canada’s needs. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will play a critical role in shaping this strategy and working with stakeholders across Canada to implement solutions.

With its head office in Ottawa, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has five regional business centres and other local offices across Canada. It employs approximately 2,300 people and ranks as the largest federal Crown Corporation with total revenues of $6.1 billion, a net income of $1.6 billion in 2022 and approximately $297 billion in assets.

The President and CEO plays a critical role in delivering on the Government’s objectives for housing as well as ensures the sound management key elements of Canada’s housing finance system. The President and CEO reports to the board of directors, which in turn reports to Parliament through the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and works with the board and the Government of Canada in setting the corporation’s objectives and broad policies. The President and CEO is accountable for for implementing the Board approved strategies and formulating the plans to deliver the the corporation’s 2030 aspiration and providing advice. The President and CEO provide advice to the Chair and board of directors on carrying out their responsibilities under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act, the National Housing Act, the National Housing Strategy Act, the Financial Administration Act, and other relevant legislation. They are responsible for the commercial operations of CMHC including the delivery of mortgage insurance and securitization programs, for the President and CEO must understand the Canadian housing system.

The President and CEO is also responsible for understanding the various housing needs of Canadians and developing effective working relationships with government, industry partners and stakeholders, to shape housing policy, which serves all people living in Canada. The President and CEO unifies the corporation’s workforce by effectively breaking down silos, championing the belief that we are better together, leading people through periods of ambiguity, engaging them for impact, and building a culture of trust and psychological safety that drives results.

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 such as commerce, accounting, law, economics; and / or combined experience;


• A professional accounting designation (CPA-CA, CGA, CFA or CMA) would be considered an asset;


• Notable and proven senior level decision-making experience with respect to complex and sensitive issues;


• Demonstrated experience in leading an organization of similar size and scale through transformative change, at exploring new ideas and developing and implementing a complex strategy;


• Previous experience working with a board of directors and / or senior government officials; and


• Significant senior level management experience in a large private and / or public organization, including the management of human and financial resources, and experience leading the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary and decentralized organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of housing and financial markets both domestically and internationally, and their role in macroeconomic policy;


• Knowledge of the government’s social, economic and fiscal policies and priorities, and its role in housing;


• Knowledge of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s housing policy mandate and activities, and of land and asset management;


• Knowledge of the financial management of a large financial services organization;


• Knowledge and understanding of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act, the National Housing Act, the National Housing Strategy Act and the Financial Administration Act;


• Superior interpersonal skills, including a strong history of building and maintaining productive and effective multipartite relationships with partner organizations, diverse stakeholders, and senior government officials;


• Risk management skills;


• Proficient and authentic communication skills;


• Ability to act as a spokesperson, to represent the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation with the media, stakeholders and parliamentarians;


• Ability to influence and lead in orienting housing markets, financial regulation, partnership and public resources towards achieving a right to housing for all Canadians;


• Ability to navigate the political and complex environment; and


• Ability to stay calm and positive during times of change, keeping people motivated and energized as transitions unfold, championing change and rallying people to act in the face of ambiguity, uncertainty, and incomplete information.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards and integrity


• Sound judgment


• Tact and diplomacy


• Growth mindset


• Strategic and innovative thinker

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.


• If you are outside the federal public service, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act stipulates that you cannot be appointed if you are:
  
  
  
  • a director, officer or employee of a lending institution (defined for these purposes as “a loan, insurance, trust or other company or corporation, trustee of trust funds, building society, credit union, bank or other cooperative credit society authorized to lend money on the security of real property”);
  
  
  • not a Canadian citizen or otherwise a British subject ordinarily resident in Canada;
  
  
  • employed in any capacity in the federal public administration or the public service of a province or hold any office or position for which a salary is payable out of public moneys, but nothing in this paragraph prohibits you from holding office while performing temporary services for the Government of Canada or of a province. (statutory)
  
  
  
  


• If you are outside the federal public administration and a shareholder of a lending institution (as defined above), the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act stipulates that if you are appointed, you shall divest yourself of ownership of your shares of the lending institution, either through a sale of the shares or by placing the shares in a blind trust for the duration of your appointment, within three months after the date of your appointment and afterwards, you shall not have an interest or right either directly or indirectly as a shareholder in a lending institution during your term of office. (statutory)


• If you are appointed, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally, as required, to meet with employees and other stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, which normally meets five to six times per year.


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

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 9, 2024. 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.