A strong and independent Canadian news industry is crucial to a well-functioning democracy. In recognition of the important role the news industry plays in helping citizens make informed decisions about important issues, the Government introduced new tax measures for designated qualified Canadian journalism organizations (QCJOs) in Budget 2019. To assist in the administration of these tax measures to support Canadian journalism, the Government of Canada established an independent advisory board.

The Government of Canada has announced a call for applications for new members for the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures (Advisory Board).

Advisory Board members are appointed by the Governor in Council – the Governor General, on the advice of the King’s Privy Council of Canada (Cabinet). The call for applications follows the Governor in Council selection process. There are up to seven member positions. Current members may be reappointed at the end of their terms, affecting the number of available positions.

On this page

• About the Advisory Board
• Available positions
• How to apply
• After you apply

About the Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is an independent body whose mandate is to:

• provide an independent assessment and a non-binding recommendation to the Minister of National Revenue (Minister) as to whether an organization that applies for designation as a qualified Canadian journalism organization (QCJO) satisfies certain conditions set out in the Income Tax Act; and
• provide advice on any other matter relating to any journalism tax measure that the Minister refers to the Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board is to consist of not less than three and not more than seven members, including a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson.

Members (including the Chairperson and Vice-chairperson) are appointed on a part-time basis and must sit in panels of three or more to review case files, presided over by a member selected by the Chairperson. Members prepare and participate in briefings and meetings and work to achieve consensus to provide independent advice and written recommendations to the Minister. Members also develop an annual report to the Minister.

To learn more about the Advisory Board and to view its annual reports, visit Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures.

Available positions

We invite applicants to apply to the following positions on the Advisory Board:

1. Vice-Chairperson (part-time)
2. Member (part-time)

You can apply to more than one position. You will be able to tell us which positions you want to apply to in your application. You only need to apply once.

In your application, you will need to confirm that you meet the following requirements:

• you are available to for 5-10 hours per week for business conducted virtually, with occasional travel to the National Capital Region, if required;
• you do not have any direct or indirect personal interest or professional or business relationship with an organization that has applied to be designated as a qualified Canadian journalism organization, including any gift or other advantage received from the organization.

We will assess applications based on the criteria below.

Education and experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, and/or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training, and/or experience;
• Experience in the Canadian journalism industry, including community and daily newspapers, broadcasting, digital, academia, and/or management; and
• Experience providing comprehensive advice and diverse perspectives on Canadian journalism.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the Canadian journalism industry, including broad knowledge of journalism in print and/or digital formats;
• Knowledge of widely accepted journalistic processes and principles;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• Ability to provide guidance and explanations of concepts as they are understood by the industry;
• Ability to render fair, equitable, and timely decisions and recommendations;
• Ability to analyze, interpret and apply relevant regulations, policies and other documents in a decision-making environment;
• Ability to write clear and concise analyses and recommendations;
• Ability to exercise independent and sound judgement while working alone or as part of a panel;
• Ability to work collaboratively in a group representing diverse experiences, expertise, and opinions; and
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with stakeholders.

Other Considerations

If you are a successful applicant, your references will be contacted to confirm that you meet the selection criteria above and that you have the following personal attributes:

• High ethical standards and integrity
• Sound judgement and confidentiality
• Diplomacy, tact, and discretion
• Collegiality
• Leadership and organization

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to the principles of employment equity. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, members of a visible minority, persons with a disability, and women.

Proficiency in both official languages of Canada would be preferred. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

How to apply

The Government is committed to an open, transparent and merit-based selection process for Governor in Council appointments.

To learn more and apply to the Advisory Board, please visit the opportunities on the Governor in Council appointment opportunities web page.

• Vice-Chairperson
• Member

A review of applications will begin on November 30, 2023. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date and may be considered up until appointments are made to the positions.

The How to Apply page on the Governor in Council website explains the process of applying.

After you apply

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted. Qualified candidates are notified by email that they have been found qualified for appointment to the position for which they applied and may be selected for appointment.