LP-02 Counsel Inventory

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
📣 Please note: we will pull applications at specified dates as noted below; therefore, earlier application may result in earlier consideration for any available position(s). Applications will be pulled from the system and considered in the following order:
 • June 27, 2023
 • August 22, 2023
 • November 20, 2023
 • February 19, 2024
Subsequent pulls will be done as needed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Work environment

The tradition of excellence at the Department of Justice is embodied in its culture, which values inclusiveness, fairness and respect for Canada's legal system.

The Department of Justice is often described as Canada's largest and most prestigious law firm. The Department makes and upholds federal laws and is the guardian of the Canadian justice system. By setting for itself the highest standards of integrity, fairness and professionalism, the Department of Justice has earned a reputation as a leader within the legal community.

You can make your mark as Counsel in the British Columbia Regional Office as part of a team working to ensure that Canada has an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice. You will be collaborating with lawyers who are national leaders in their areas of practice, working on high profile, cutting edge and socially significant litigation.

Apply your experience and legal knowledge in these key areas of practice:
 • Indigenous Law Services;
 • Business & Regulatory Law;
 • Criminal Law and International Assistance;
 • Public Safety, Defence & Immigration; and
 • Tax Law Services

No matter what your expertise, you will benefit from Justice Canada's supportive atmosphere, emphasis on training and mentoring, commitment to equitable workplace policies, and the ability to balance the personal and professional aspects of your life.

Intent of the process

There is an immediate need to staff litigation positions in the British Columbia Regional Office in the Public Safety, Defence and Immigration Section, Indigenous Rights and Relations Section, Tax Law Section and Criminal Law and International Assistance group. The region is headquartered in Vancouver, BC and working from the Victoria, BC satellite office may be a possibility.

A pool of partially or fully qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions in the above noted sections as well as the Business and Regulatory Law Section within the Department of Justice with various tenures, various linguistic requirements, various operational requirements and/or various conditions of employment.

HOW THIS INVENTORY WORKS:
 • Your application will be active for 120 days. You will receive notice on your account 30 days before your application is about to expire. If you do not take action, your application will become inactive and no longer be considered. Should your application become inactive while the process is still open, you may select the link “update my inventory status” to reaffirm your interest.

WAITING PERIOD FOR REASSESSMENT:
 • The retest period for this assessment is 180 days from the date of results notification.

Positions to be filled: 9

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

- Occupational Certification -
Eligibility for membership in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Chambre des notaires du Québec

- Experience -
Significant experience* providing legal services as counsel.
   *Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with performance of the duties of a lawyer with conduct of civil litigation (or an acceptable combination of criminal and civil litigation) over a period of approximately four (4) years.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

- Competencies -
 • Oral communication
 • Written communication
 • Demonstrating integrity and respect
 • Thinking things through
 • Working effectively with others
 • Showing initiative and being action-oriented
 • Ability to analyze legal issues and provide strategic advice
 • Ability to manage the legal practice, including using digital tools

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

- Asset Qualifications -
 • Experience in personal injury litigation
 • Experience in class actions
 • Experience conducting litigation in the Tax Court of Canada
 • Experience in Indigenous litigation
 • Experience conducting matters before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal or other tribunals
 • Experience providing legal advice in the area of criminal law or experience in the conduct of criminal litigation

 
- Organizational Needs -
The Department of Justice believes that to be able to effectively serve the public, its workforce needs to reflect the diversity of the Canadian population. Diversity is a great source of strength in driving Canada’s Legal Team in ensuring that Canada’s justice system is as fair, accessible and efficient as possible. The Department is committed to a representative workforce that represents the Canadian public we serve. If you are an Indigenous person, a woman, a person with a disability, a member of a racialized group* or a member of the 2SLGBTQI+**/Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) community we encourage you to self-declare in this staffing process.
 * Please note that this group is currently designated as members of visible minorities in the Employment Equity Act and the self-declaration form.
 ** 2SLGBTQI+: Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and people who identify as being part of sexual and gender diverse communities.

- INFORMATION ON SELF-DECLARATION -
Self-declaration information can be factored into the screening, assessment or selection decision to address our commitment to eliminate gaps and increase representation for these groups. This information will only be used in connection with this selection process.

- HOW TO SELF-DECLARE -
If you are an Indigenous person, woman, member of a racialized group*, person with a disability:
 • When you apply for a job through GC Jobs, complete the Employment Equity section under Requirements.
 • Please note that your self-declaration as a member of First Nations, Inuit or Métis will be verified via the Affirmation of Indigenous Identity Form to be provided later in the staffing process. For more information on this requirement, please consult the Questions and Answers page: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/appointment-framework/guides-tools-appointment-framework/affirmation-indigenous-identity-form.html.

If you are a member of the 2SLGBTQI+/ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) community:
 • For employees of the Department of Justice, please self-declare through the EE Self-Declaration tab in PeopleSoft by accessing the “Self Service” module and providing consent that your information can be used for Staffing actions, such as actings, appointments, assignments.
 • For candidates external to the Public Service and employees of the Public Service outside of the Department of Justice, candidates will be provided an opportunity to self-declare during the assessment process

 
- Operational Requirements -
 • Willing and able to work extended hours including weekends.
 • Willing and able to travel, as required.

Conditions of employment

 • Reliability or Secret security clearance (depending on position or as required)
 • Remain member in good standing of the law society of British Columbia*
 *This factor is not used at the screening stage, rather, it must be met before being appointed to a particular position, and must be maintained throughout the employment while being the incumbent of said position.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

We will only accept on-line applications received via the GC Jobs site. Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR MISSING INFORMATION.

Proof of citizenship or permanent residency will be required.

Communication for this process will be sent via e-mail. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that a current and valid e-mail address is provided and updated accordingly and that it accepts messages from unknown senders. We encourage candidates to provide a second e-mail address in their application.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidates.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Apply online