Chief Commissioner

ABOUT THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is the provincial regulator of Ontario’s natural gas and electricity sectors. With a mission to deliver public value through prudent regulation and independent adjudicative decision-making, the OEB is a trusted regulator enabling Ontario’s growing economy and enhancing quality of life by ensuring safe, reliable and affordable energy. The OEB is a diverse, driven, transparent and thoughtful team that is accountable to one another, the sector, and the customers they serve.

OPPORTUNITY - CHIEF COMMISSIONER (FULL-TIME THROUGH March 31, 2027)

LHH Knightsbridge Executive Search is partnering with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to identify candidates to fill the position of Chief Commissioner. The incumbent Chief Commissioner is retiring on March 31, 2025.

THE ROLE

The OEB is committed to ensuring the independence, transparency and effectiveness of the adjudication process that arises from its quasi-judicial role as the regulator of the energy sector in Ontario.

In this context, the Chief Commissioner is responsible for the efficiency, timeliness and dependability of the OEB’s adjudicative function, including by directing and supervising Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner is appointed by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the CEO and is accountable to the CEO.

The Chief Commissioner establishes panels of Commissioners who make independent decisions on applications that come before the OEB and to which they are assigned. These applications include utilities’ requests for approval to change their rates, merge with another utility or build new infrastructure, are decided through a court-like process that involves an oral, written or electronic hearing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Accountable for the efficient, timely and dependable performance of the OEB’s adjudicative functions.
2. Responsible for establishing panels of Commissioners to preside over rate, facility, utility consolidation and market-related applications and enforcement matters in an effective, independent, impartial and transparent manner, and may also serve as a member of a panel.
3. Make rules of practice and procedure.
4. As a member of panels, render timely and high-quality decisions on applications in accordance with applicable legislative requirements, administrative law and the principles of natural justice.
5. Report to the OEB’s Board of Directors and its Adjudication Committee on the efficiency, timeliness and dependability of adjudicative matters while ensuring and protecting the independence of adjudicative decision making.
6. Plan for and ensure the delivery of training and professional development for the Commissioners individually and as a group.
7. Support the CEO in identifying prospective Commissioners as vacancies arise.
8. Perform in accordance with the principles of regulatory excellence, including independence, accountability, certainty, effectiveness and efficiency. Work collaboratively with Commissioners and staff members.
9. Support the introduction of efficiencies and innovation in the adjudicative process and adjudicative policy matters.
10. Comply with all legal, regulatory and governmental requirements and the OEB’s corporate policies.
11. Provide advice to OEB staff on the development of regulatory policy and other matters on which the OEB is consulting the sector.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Knowledge & Experience

1. Academic qualifications and experience ideally in natural gas or power operations/engineering, energy system planning, or law/administrative law. Additional relevant experience in one or more of the following would be an asset: economics, finance/business management, consumer/public interest, Indigenous consultation, environmental/energy efficiency, and the Four D’s (Decarbonization, Democratization, Digitalization, Decentralization).
2. Experience in the Ontario electricity and/or natural gas industries, with an appreciation of the complexities of an evolving market, energy transition and innovation.
3. Knowledge of the OEB, its mandate and the regulatory and business environment in which it operates. Knowledge of the principles of economic regulation, administrative law and the principles of natural justice, and of the roles, responsibilities and powers of an adjudicative body.
4. Experience in making and effectively communicating complex decisions, often involving large amounts of technical evidence, and balancing the interests and rights of a diverse range of stakeholders, ideally in a regulatory agency or quasi-judicial administrative tribunal setting.
5. Experience in multi-disciplinary and collaborative environments encompassing highly specialized subject areas.
6. Experience in a court, hearing room or adversarial legal process, addressing contentious matters in ways that are reasoned and fair.
7. Experience in the interpretation and application of legislative and regulatory frameworks or policies.

Core Competencies

• Leadership
• Financial Literacy
• Industry Knowledge
• Integrity/Ethics
• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Adjudicative Expertise

TERM

Appointment will be made by the Board of Directors for a first term of no longer than two years.

LOCATION

While most of the work can be done virtually, hearings may be in person in Toronto. To be compliant with tax, employment standards and cyber security protocols, the principal residence and place of work of a candidate must be in Ontario.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 prohibits the appointment of a person who has any material interest in or is a director, officer, employee or agent of:

1. a market participant
2. a generator, distributor, gas distributor, transmitter, gas transmitter, storage company, gas marketer or retailer
3. a unit sub-meter provider
4. the Smart Metering Entity
5. a person who sells electricity or ancillary services through the IESO-administered markets or directly to another person who is not a consumer
6. an industry association that represents a person referred to in subparagraph 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
7. the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) or
8. an affiliate of a person listed in subparagraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7

"Material interest” is a question of fact in every case. The OEB has quantified “material interest” as a financial interest of $10,000 or more and includes the fair market value of debt or equity, but “material interest” does not include a mutual fund or ETF unless specifically targeted at the Ontario energy industry or a segment of the Ontario energy industry; membership in a pension plan; participation in an annuity or life insurance policy; or a GIC or similar financial instrument issued by a regulated financial institution.

OEB’S DIVERSITY STATEMENT

At the Ontario Energy Board, we believe diversity and inclusion strengthens our organization. We acknowledge, honour and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all people and we are committed to actively seeking to identify, remedy and eliminate systemic barriers which preclude anyone from reaching their full potential. Equity is embedded in our workplace culture, processes and practices and we collectively strive to create an environment in which all people feel a sense of belonging and can participate fully. Being recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers validates our DEI action plan, which has created an atmosphere where everyone's attributes combine to make us stronger, together.

Pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Ontario Energy Board will make reasonable efforts to provide accommodation to candidates with disabilities in the course of the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please communicate your needs to the search project team.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

If you are interested in being considered for this exciting adjudicative position, please submit your cover letter and a current resume to Ed Perkovic: Ed.Perkovic@lhhknightsbridge.com.