Ontario Energy Board - Commissioner (Full-Time)

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is seeking to appoint one or more full-time Commissioners to support its adjudicative mandate during a period of profound transformation in Ontario’s energy landscape. The province’s first Integrated Energy Plan, Energy for Generations, outlines a roadmap to 2050 that integrates electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, storage, and other energy sources to support economic growth and climate goals.

The OEB is the independent regulator of Ontario’s electricity and natural gas sectors, responsible for setting utility rates, adjudicating infrastructure project applications, licensing energy providers, and enforcing customer focused rules. It protects and informs millions of consumers by regulating prices, ensuring fair market practices, and supporting low-income households. The OEB delivers public value through independent, prudent regulation that supports Ontario’s economic, social, and environmental development, while being a trusted regulator ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable energy.

Key sectoral themes include:

• Energy Security: Prioritization of domestic, clean energy sources that support electrification of transportation and industry.
• System Resilience: Enhancing reliability and affordability amid growing demand and risks (e.g., climate-related, cyber-security, etc.).
• Innovation and Market Reform: Emphasis on distributed energy resources, digitalization, and regulatory modernization.

Recent legislative updates, including the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 2025, reinforce the OEB’s role in ensuring affordability and long-term system planning. The OEB continues to evolve its regulatory approach to support innovation, sector transformation, and adjudicative excellence.

COMISSIONER (FULL - TIME)
Commissioners are appointed by the OEB Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the CEO and report to the Chief Commissioner. They are responsible for adjudicating applications from utilities—including rate changes, infrastructure projects, and mergers—through oral, written, or electronic hearings in adherence with administrative law and natural justice. Commissioners are expected to render timely, high-quality decisions, collaborate on panels, and occasionally preside over hearings. They are accountable to the Chief Commissioner for the efficiency, timeliness, and dependability of their decisions.

Commissioners will be expected to bring not only adjudicative excellence and sound judgment, but also a deep understanding of the sector. This includes familiarity with integrated resource planning, electricity production, transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, consultation of Indigenous peoples, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. 

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


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Render timely and high-quality adjudicative decisions on applications in accordance with statutory requirements, administrative law, and the principles of natural justice.
• Hear and decide substantive and procedural matters in both written and oral proceedings, ensuring independence, impartiality, and transparency.
• Support innovation and efficiency in adjudicative and regulatory processes.
• Uphold principles of regulatory excellence, including independence, accountability, certainty, and efficiency.
• Comply with all legal, regulatory, and governmental requirements, as well as corporate policies.
• Provide policy advice and contribute to the development and modernization of energy sector regulation.
• Collaborate with Commissioners and staff to make sound decisions and develop policy.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Academic background in law, accounting, economics, finance, engineering, and/or energy system planning.
• Understanding of the OEB’s mandate, regulatory frameworks, and adjudicative processes.
• Open to candidates earlier in their careers and secondment arrangements.
  
  

Foundational Competencies

• Financial Literacy / Economics / Accounting: Interpreting financial statements and applying financial and economic principles to assess rate submissions.
• Administrative Law / Adjudication: Interpreting and applying legislative and regulatory frameworks or policies, including principles of economic regulation, administrative law, and natural justice to conduct impartial, efficient hearings and make well reasoned decisions.
• Decision Writing (Evidence Analysis & Reasoning): Producing timely, clear, evidence based, and legally sound written decisions that reflect structured reasoning and objective analysis of diverse stakeholder interests (ideally in a regulatory or quasi-judicial setting).
  
  

Behavioural Competencies

• Integrity & Ethics: Acting with honesty, impartiality, professionalism, and accountability while upholding OEB values, policies, and ensuring public confidence.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with Commissioners and staff, contributing equally, resolving disagreements constructively, and supporting high quality adjudication in multi-disciplinary and collaborative environments.
• Leadership: Demonstrating senior level leadership by guiding hearing processes, fostering respectful deliberation, and ensuring fair, timely, well managed decisions.
• Communication, Time Management & Preparation: Communicating clearly and confidently while managing workload, preparing thoroughly, and maintaining efficiency under pressure.
  
  

Technical Competencies

• Industry Knowledge: Experience in Ontario’s electricity and/or natural gas industries, with an appreciation of the complexities of an evolving market, energy transition, and innovation.
• Regulatory / Regulation: Applying regulatory frameworks and evaluating evidence to make consistent, fair decisions aligned with public interest.
• Energy Policy Awareness / Political Acuity: Understanding and being informed by Ontario energy policies and political landscape, while adhering to the OEB statutory objectives and other legal requirements.
• Consumer & Public Interest: Balancing consumer protection, affordability, and energy system viability while understanding the diversity of customer groups.
• Consultation with Indigenous Peoples: Applying the duty to consult, ensuring meaningful, respectful participation of Indigenous peoples in adjudication.
• Energy Efficiency / Conservation: Understanding OEB objectives related to conservation, demand management, and energy efficiency.
• Official Languages: Providing services in both English and French to meet Ontario’s linguistic needs would be an asset.
  
  
  

TERM
Appointments will be made by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.

LOCATION
The OEB is located in Toronto, Ontario. 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. While some of the adjudication work can be conducted virtually, hearings may be virtual, hybrid, or in person and would usually take place in Toronto. 

REMUNERATION
Full-Time: $215,000/annum + benefits + approved expenses aligned with the OEB’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expense Directive.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 prohibits the appointment of individuals with material interests in regulated entities. Material interest is defined as a financial interest of $10,000 or more, excluding mutual funds, pension plans, and similar instruments.

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:

i. a market participant

ii. a generator, distributor, gas distributor, transmitter, gas transmitter, storage company, gas marketer or retailer

iii. a unit sub-meter provider

iv. the Smart Metering Entity

v. a person who sells electricity or ancillary services through the IESO-administered markets or directly to another

        person who is not a consumer

vi. an industry association that represents a person referred to in subparagraph i, ii, iii, iv or v

vii. the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) or

viii. an affiliate of a person listed in subparagraph i, ii, iii, iv, v or vii

"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.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
The OEB is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the society it serves. We actively seek to identify and eliminate systemic barriers and create an environment of belonging. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with experience in Indigenous consultation, gender diversity, and early-career professionals.

ACCESSIBILITY
The OEB will make reasonable efforts to accommodate candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process. Please communicate your needs to Ed Perkovic, using his contact details below.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, along with a current resume to:
Ed Perkovic, VP, Search Delivery ed.perkovic@lhhknightsbridge.com