Member - All divisions, Parole Board of Canada

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC or the Board) is an independent administrative tribunal. The PBC makes conditional release decisions for offenders sentenced to federal penitentiaries and for offenders serving sentences of less than two years in provinces and territories that do not have their own parole boards. The Appeal Division of the PBC hears appeals of PBC conditional release decisions.

The Board is also responsible for making record suspension decisions, decisions on the expungement of a conviction and recommendations for the exercise of clemency through the Royal Prerogative of Mercy.

PBC Board members make decisions that have significant implications for people’s lives, public safety and the integrity of Canada's parole system.

Depending on the type of case, decisions are made by way of a hearing or in-office file review by either one or two Board members.

Parole hearings are held in correctional institutions. The decision and reasons are generally given to the offender verbally at the end of the hearing. A written decision then follows.


Work location:

• Atlantic Region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador – regional office in Moncton, New Brunswick)


• Quebec Region (regional office in Montreal, Quebec)


• Ontario Region (Ontario and Nunavut - regional office in Kingston, Ontario)


• Prairie Region (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Northwest Territories – regional offices in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Edmonton, Alberta)


• Pacific Region (British Columbia and Yukon -regional office in Abbotsford, British Columbia)


• National Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario)

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 work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all 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 or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training and/or experience;


• Significant experience in decision-making at a senior level related to sensitive and complex issues – for candidates employed with the federal Public Service, this would correspond to experience gained at the Executive (EX) level positions or equivalent, acquired during a period of at least 2 years;


• Significant experience - acquired during a period of at least 5 years - in the interpretation and application of legislation, regulations and policies;


• Experience in using a computer for communication and word processing (Microsoft Word); and


• Experience as a decision-maker in an adjudicative tribunal would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and roles and responsibilities of the PBC;


• Knowledge of the societal issues affecting the criminal justice environment, including those relating to gender, Indigenous peoples and visible minorities;


• Knowledge of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Criminal Records Act and their interpretation and application related to conditional release is considered an asset;


• Superior analytical and decision-making skills;


• Ability to interpret the provisions of various statutes, regulations, policies and other documents in a quasi-judicial context, and to assess the relevance of precedents in order to render decisions;


• Clear, concise and comprehensive writing and spoken communications skills; and


• Ability to perform in an environment with a heavy workload and tight time constraints and to perform in a stressful environment.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

• High ethical standards and integrity


• Sound judgement in managing highly sensitive information


• Adaptability and flexibility


• Effective and independent work habits as well as an ability to work as a team member; and


• Sensitivity to Indigenous peoples, multiculturalism and gender issues

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.


• If you are appointed as a full-time member, you must reside within, or be willing to relocate within, a reasonable commuting distance of the regional or national office to which you are appointed (statutory).


• If you are appointed as a full-time member, and if you are an employee in the public service at the time of your appointment, you shall be given leave of absence without pay from the public service (statutory).


• If you are appointed as a full-time member, you shall not hold any office or engage in any occupation incompatible with the exercise of a member's functions under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act or any other Act of Parliament (statutory).


• If you are appointed as a part-time member, you must be available to work a minimum of 5 days per month, preferably consecutive.


• You must be willing to travel outside the immediate area of the regional office to which you are appointed, and you may be away from home overnight to conduct hearings in federal and provincial institutions.


• You must possess a valid driver's licence or have access to a personal means of transportation to penitentiaries throughout the region, some of which are in rural and remote locations.

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

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application, along with a resume and cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 7, 2024, via the Governor in Council Appointments website

Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. To learn more about the application process, please visit the how to apply for an appointment opportunity on the Governor in Council Appointments website.