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Position/Title

Chair (Part-Time)

Agency

Ontario Geographic Names Board

Advertisement Date

21-May-2025

Closing Date

03-Jul-2025

File Number

PAS-240119

Position Type

Part-Time

Remuneration

PER DIEM

Roles and Responsibilities

The Government of Ontario is seeking to fill vacancies on the Ontario Geographic Names Board.

The OGNB is the provincial authority that makes recommendations on the naming of Ontario’s geographical features and unincorporated place names. It is legislated under subsection 2(1) of the Ontario Geographic Names Board Act.

The purpose of the Board is to consider the treatment of names of unincorporated places and geographical features, and provide advice on decisions regarding the use, addition, revision or deletion of official geographical names in English, French and Indigenous languages.

The Board is comprised of seven members in total and quorum is four members.

The Board is comprised of the Surveyor General, a Board Secretary (appointed by the Minister) and five members appointed through Lieutenant Governor Orders in Council.

The Minister may also appoint a Chair and a Vice-Chair from among the members of the Board.

The Board membership is intended to include a mix of experts in the following fields: naming (toponymy, onomastics, linguistics) geomatics (surveying, mapping, cartography, GIS), geography, Ontario history, Francophone language matters and Indigenous matters.  

The roles and responsibilities of OGNB members are to:

(a) attend scheduled OGNB meetings;

(b) attend related meetings as representatives of the Board as requested by the Board;

(c) Chair or function as members of sub-committees or task groups as requested by the Board;

(d) submit items, priorities and reports for discussion at Board meetings;

(e) be knowledgeable in the policies and procedures of the Board, including the OGNB Act, the OGNB Terms of Reference, and the OGNB and Secretariat Procedural Guide which includes the Geographic Naming Principles of the Board, in order to fulfil their duties as a member and effectively participate in the deliberations of the Board;

(f) participate in addressing the matters for which the Minister has requested advice; and

(g) ensure their conduct is in accordance with all applicable Government of Ontario laws, directives and policies, as well as applicable ministry financial and administrative policies and procedures.

The Chair, as the representative of the Board’s members, is accountable to the Minister for the Board’s fulfillment of its statutory mandate. The roles and responsibilities of the Chair also include to:

(a) inform OGNB members of the government’s priorities and broad policy direction for the OGNB, and provide leadership and direction to the members of the OGNB in implementing the Board’s mandate;

(b) ensure that OGNB members are informed of their responsibilities under the Public Service of Ontario Act with regard to the rules of ethical conduct and political activity;

(c) ensure that OGNB members are aware of and comply with applicable Government of Ontario laws, directives and policies including conflict of interest;

(d) function as the Ethics Executive of the Board to ensure conflict of interest and protection of privacy guidelines are adhered to by all members of the Board;

(e) endorse the Board’s formal recommendations, decisions and communications;

(f) hold the Board accountable for its decisions;

(g) call and chair meetings as necessary, consistent with Government of Ontario applicable policies and directives;

(h) ensure that minutes are kept of all meetings;

(i) on behalf of the OGNB, provide the Minister with any other reports or information as the Minister may require from time to time and within the timeframe requested;

(j) cooperate with any review or audit of the OGNB as directed; and

(k) function as a regular member of the Board.

Government appointees reflect the diversity of the people of Ontario and deliver services and decisions in a professional, ethical and competent manner with a commitment to the principles and values of public service.

If appointed you will be required to follow the provincial ethical framework set out for government public appointees in the Management Board of Cabinet’s Agencies and Appointments Directive (AAD) https://www.ontario.ca/page/agencies-and-appointments-directive and undertake any required training as directed by the Public Appointment Secretariat. You would also be subject to the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 and Conflict of Interest rules. Information is available on the Conflict of Interest Commissioner’s website: https://www.oico.on.ca/en. You may also be subject to other statutes, regulations, rules or directives that currently exist or may be established which are applicable to agencies, boards or commissions.

The Ontario Geographic Names Board is an equal opportunity organization. We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must:

• be knowledgeable about geographic naming, the different linguistic traditions found within Ontario, and matters of interest to Indigenous communities in Ontario;
• possess clear, well-organized thinking and be able to make objective and impartial recommendations;
• have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and experience in conducting meetings; and
• have experience in negotiation, facilitation and conflict resolution.

Term

3 years
The Minister may appoint a Chair from among the members of the Board for a term of not more than three years and the term is also subject to renewal.

Time Commitment

Quarterly meeting
The Board generally meets three times per year (typically one to two-day meetings) virtually and once a year at various locations across the province, primarily in Peterborough; and at the request of the Minister, may hold additional meetings.

Expenses

Yes
The Chair is eligible to receive $200 per diem for Board work. The Chair is reimbursed for eligible expenses in accordance with the Management Board of Cabinet’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Directive.

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