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Position/Title
Member (Part-Time)
Agency
Ontario Geographic Names Board
Advertisement Date
21-May-2025
Closing Date
03-Jul-2025
File Number
PAS-240120
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, including part-time members and a Chair

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.

  • 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: http://www.coicommissioner.gov.on.ca. 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
Members are appointed by Order in Council for terms of not more than three years and are 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
Members are eligible to receive $150 per diem for Board work. Members are reimbursed for eligible expenses in accordance with the Management Board of Cabinet’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Directive.
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