Current Opportunities

Appeal Committee | Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board

The Organization

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) respectfully acknowledges that the Edmonton Metropolitan Region is located on Treaty 6 territory, as well as the home of the members of the Métis Nation of Alberta (Region 4 and Region 2), the Inuit, and non-status Indigenous peoples sharing this land. The EMRB recognizes the long history and contributions of Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land from time immemorial to the present. They acknowledge that we are all Treaty People, bound to one another by the spirit and intent of Treaty “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows.”

EMRB is a non-profit corporation established by the Province of Alberta and operating pursuant to Alberta Regulation 189/2017 under the Municipal Government Act. The EMRB is composed of thirteen municipalities from the Edmonton Metropolitan Region:

1. City of Beaumont
2. City of Edmonton
3. Town of Devon
4. City of Fort Saskatchewan
5. City of Leduc
6. Leduc County
7. Town of Morinville
8. Parkland County
9. City of St. Albert
10. City of Spruce Grove
11. Town of Stony Plain
12. Strathcona County
13. Sturgeon County

The EMRB is a regional growth management board established under the Municipal Government Act to plan for the future, to ensure the long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for the residents of the Region. Specifically, the EMRB shall:

• strive towards consensus regarding matters before the Board,
• promote the long-term sustainability of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region,
• ensure environmentally responsible land use planning, growth management and efficient use of land,
• develop policies regarding the coordination of regional infrastructure investment and service delivery,
• promote the economic well-being and competitiveness of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, and
• develop policies outlining how the Board shall engage the public on the growth plan and the servicing plan.

For more information on EMRB, please visit:  www.emrb.ca

 

The Opportunity

The EMRB values collaboration and as part of its mandate[1] strives toward consensus regarding matters before the Board. The Board has worked to integrate these values into the organization. A requirement of the Municipal Government Act is that the EMRB have in place “an appeal mechanism or dispute resolution mechanism, or both, for the purposes of resolving disputes arising from actions taken or decisions made by the growth management board.”

The Board approved a three-step process that is reflected in the Dispute Resolution and Appeal Bylaw approved in February 2021. The bylaw came into effect in November 2021, with the Government of Alberta’s approval through Order in Council.

The three-step process is as follows:

• Step 1: Facilitated Discussion
• Step 2: Mediation
• Step 3: Appeal Hearing

It was important to the Board to include the first two steps of the process to provide the space and the tools for members to dialogue and better understand each others’ perspectives related to the dispute before the matter escalates to step three, with a hearing by the Appeal Committee. Steps 1 and 2 of the dispute and appeal process envisage direct participation of Board members as part of a Dispute Resolution Committee. Step three is a mechanism for an appeal hearing before an independent Appeal Committee.

The purpose of the Appeal Committee is to conduct a hearing with respect to a Notice of Dispute filed with the EMRB by a member municipality or municipalities (the “Complainant”) and which cannot be resolved through facilitated discussion or mediation, and; issue a written decision and reasons with respect to the Notice of Dispute. The Appeal Committee is required to conduct appeal hearings in public unless a matter to be discussed is within one of the exceptions to disclosure in Division 2 of Part 1 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIP”), pursuant to s. 708.04 of the Municipal Government Act.

Decisions from the Appeal Committee are final and binding and may confirm or set aside a decision of the EMRB; the Appeal Committee may also make non-binding recommendations to the EMRB.

The roster of members for the committee shall consist of 12 individuals appointed by the EMRB with knowledge and/or experience that in the opinion of the EMRB will assist the committee in determining appeals before it (“members”). The Appeal Committee shall conduct appeal hearings in panels of five (5) members.

Meetings of the Appeal Committee are called only as disputes arise and a complaint is duly received pursuant to the terms set out in the bylaw: breach of process or procedural unfairness, or; discriminatory treatment. The Appeal Committee shall conduct a hearing within thirty (30) days of the Complainant’s request.

The EMRB will appoint Appeal Committee roster members for a term of two (2) years. The EMRB may, but is not required to, appoint members for varying or staggered terms, and/or renew terms.

As the Region represents a huge diversity in people, culture, demographics, and community size, it is important that EMRB have diverse representation on this committee including geographic diversity.

For more information on the development and parameters of the Dispute Resolution and Appeal Bylaw please see Appointments to the Dispute Resolution and Appeal Committees.

 

Candidate Profile

With those factors in mind, the EMRB is standing up the Appeal Committee roster and seeks to recruit twelve subject matter experts.

Experience:

The successful candidate will have experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Land use planning and development;
• Economic development;
• Municipal, provincial and sector specific legal and policy frameworks;
• Experience with quasi-judicial tribunals, and appeal processes and committees; and
• Executive leaders and industry regulators.

Although not an exhaustive list, this could include members of the legal profession, land use planners, former elected officials, current and former members of quasi-judicial and/or appeal tribunals/boards, individuals from the land development community, former municipal Chief Administrative Officers, individuals with experience in land trusts, and individuals with agricultural expertise.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the Municipal Government Act, the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board Regulation, and relevant statutory plans (e.g., EMRB growth and servicing plans; the Regional Evaluation Framework) is required;
• Familiarity with applicable EMRB bylaws and policies would be an asset;
• Demonstrated understanding of urban and rural perspectives;
• Demonstrated understanding of board governance.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Commitment to fairness;
• Ability to hear multiple perspectives and contemplate those perspectives in coming to a decision;
• High level of tact and discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Unimpeachable integrity;
• Excellent analytical and evaluative skills combined with sound judgment;
• Excellent communication skills, including listening, written and verbal;
• Excellent critical thinking skills; and
• Dedicated to a consistent, process-oriented approach with a commitment to the administrative process.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The EMRB is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and enriches its work and is essential to operational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at time of application. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Gallagher and the EMRB throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

 

The Compensation

Members of the Appeal Committee shall be paid for time spent on the business of the Appeal Committee and expenses in accordance with EMRB Policy G003 – Remuneration and Expenses Board and Committee and Task Force Members, as amended or replaced from time to time.

Time spent on the business of the Appeal Committee shall include:

(a) the duration of an appeal hearing, including breaks;

(b) preparation time not exceeding the scheduled duration of an appeal hearing, and;

(c) decision preparation time not exceeding the actual duration of an Appeal Hearing.

[1] Overview of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board, EMRB

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How to Apply:

Please send your resume in Word or PDF format to: HRCCCanada.GBS.EdmontonPIES@ajg.com. Copy and Paste the following job title and code and place it in the subject line of your email so we can identify the job and confirm receipt of your application:
AEPF-534087 Appeal Committee | Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board - ABAB - Edmonton and Area (OTIAPPLY)

Please note that only those candidates meeting the selection criteria, established by our client, will be contacted further. Although we may not contact you directly for this particular role, all applications will be reviewed as we would like to consider you for future opportunities that may be appropriate. We encourage you to continue to visit our website at optimumtalent.com as our opportunities are updated on a regular basis.