Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel

About the Senate

The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy. As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. You will be a senior executive leading a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.

How will you contribute?

As the chief legal advisor to the Senate of Canada, the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel is responsible for providing comprehensive non-partisan legal advice and legislative services to the Senate and its committees, including the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA), to the Speaker and to all senators, to the Clerk of the Senate and the Senate Administration.

As a senior executive of the Senate Administration, you report to the Clerk of the Senate and, as a core member of the Clerk’s Plans and Priorities Committee, you are expected to help establish and deliver on institutional priorities and strategic objectives, identify and mitigate institutional risks and resolve issues.

As head of the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel, you lead a team of legal professionals who are collectively responsible for providing a range of legal services.

You are one of the senior Table Officers in the chamber, which enables you to remain apprised of activities in relation to the progress of legislation and on matters of parliamentary privilege and procedure.

As general counsel for the Senate, your office provides legal advice on administrative and management matters to CIBA and to the Administration. You may also be asked to intervene in court actions on behalf of the Speaker of the Senate, or senators, to ensure that parliamentary privileges, immunities and powers are respected.

Finally, your role requires you to oversee, conduct and provide direction on research on the application of parliamentary, constitutional, administrative and labour law, to keep abreast of recent legislation and jurisprudence, and to ensure that any legal advice and opinions given are founded on sound legal precedents.

Open to

This selection process is open to the general public to staff one (1) indeterminate position in the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel directorate. The Senate of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve, starting with an inclusive and barrier-free hiring process. You are entitled to apply in the official language of your choice (English or French) and you can request to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply. The recruitment for this position is being managed by Boyden on behalf of the Senate of Canada. Kindly note that qualified candidates will be contacted by representatives from Boyden, not the Senate Talent Acquisition team.

Prerequisites

• Successful completion of a degree in law from a recognized university;
• A member in good standing for at least 10 years of the bar or law society of a province or territory in Canada or the Chambre des notaires du Québec;
• Senior management experience in a private or public sector organization, with extensive experience in providing strategic legal or management advice on a wide range of issues;
• Superior oral and written communication skills, in both official languages;
• Superior interpretive, analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Expert knowledge on the legislative framework governing the Senate, in particular the Constitution Act, 1867, the Constitution Act, 1982, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Parliament of Canada Act, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, the Official Languages Act and other federal statutes applicable to the Senate of Canada;
• Knowledge of the constitutional roles, responsibilities and practices of the Crown, the Parliament of Canada and the Government of Canada, with particular emphasis on the bicameral relationship between the Senate and the House of Commons, and the law of parliamentary privilege;
• Extensive experience in interpreting and providing legal opinions on matters of constitutional, parliamentary, administrative, and labour law;
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of the legislative process;
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence diverse stakeholders with competing objectives and to build consensus around complex or sensitive issues;
• Sound, fair and impartial decision-maker;
• Experience in developing and maintaining constructive and effective relationships;
• Ability to respond to and reconcile tight deadlines and changing priorities.

Asset Qualifications

• Experience in a legal or judicial field;
• Experience in preparing, drafting and amending legislation;
• Experience in interacting with parliamentarians or legislators;
• Knowledge of sound management policies, practices and principles;
• Knowledge of the current political agenda, current legislative initiatives and current domestic issues.

Linguistic Requirements

English Reading Comprehension: C

English Written Expression: C

English Oral Interaction: C

French Reading Comprehension: C

French Written Expression: C

French Oral Interaction: C

Competencies

Institutional Competencies:

• Integrity
• Respect
• Service

Leadership Competencies:

• Ethical Leader
• Strategic Thinker
• Engaging Team Builder
• Effective Communicator
• Sound Decision Maker

Organizational Needs

The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees are provided full and equal access to employment, development and advancement opportunities.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates must consent to supply personal information and obtain a security accreditation to be eligible for appointment.