President, Canada Water Agency

The Canada Water Agency was created under the Canada Water Agency Act, which came into force on October 15, 2024. The Canada Water Agency provides freshwater policy research and development and advice and delivers federal programming for the restoration and protection of transboundary waters. Its mandate is to improve freshwater management in Canada by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to proactively address national and regional transboundary freshwater challenges and opportunities. The Canada Water Agency is responsible for implementing Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan.

The Canada Water Agency is managed by a President, who reports to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. The President is supported by three Directors General who individually lead program, policy and corporate services directorates. The Agency is headquartered in Winnipeg and has several regional offices across Canada to ensure responsiveness to regional freshwater issues.

The President is the chief executive officer and is responsible for day-to-day management and direction. Responsibilities include: engaging provincial institutions, federal departments, Indigenous Peoples, non-government organizations and the public to support development and implementation of collaborative approaches for addressing priority freshwater challenges and opportunities in Canada; developing the overall objectives and priorities for the Canada Water Agency; and for implementing the Agency’s freshwater programming across the country.

For more information, please visit the Canada Water Agency website.

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. 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 an area of relevance such as public administration, water policy, environmental or resource law, international relations, or natural resources management, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training and / or experience;


• Senior-level management experience ideally acquired within a public, private or not for profit sector organization with a water or environmental mandate;


• Experience in the development and implementation of strategic advice, policy and programs;


• Experience building, fostering, integrating and maintaining strategic partnerships and collaborative arrangements among a diverse range of partners, including provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous Peoples, in the areas of fresh water and / or environmental policy and program delivery;


• Experience leading initiatives to set the strategic direction of an organization, including establishing strategic objectives and plans, managing complex budgets, managing people and developing talent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of the Government of Canada, its institutions and processes, especially as they relate to public service accountabilities, values and ethics, and government decision making;


• Knowledge of federal freshwater legislation, policy and programs;


• Knowledge of issues and trends in federal-provincial or territorial and federal-Indigenous relations as they relate to fresh water;


• Knowledge of Canada's freshwater community, including key federal, provincial, municipal, Indigenous, not for profit and international agencies and their relation to Canada and federal freshwater priorities;


• Effective communication skills, including negotiation and conflict management skills;


• Ability to act as spokesperson and build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders;


• Ability to anticipate emerging issues and lead organizational change;


• Ability to balance organizational and government-wide priorities to improve outcomes for Canada and Canadians.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Mobilizer


• High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality


• Flexibility and adaptability


• Effective interpersonal skills

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.


• The appointee must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout Canada.

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 will begin on January 17, 2025 (more information here). Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application by this date, along with a resume and cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made.

Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. To learn more about the application process, please visit the How to apply page on the Governor in Council Appointments website.