We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada's diversity. The Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.
The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions:
Chair and Members (part-time positions)
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative Selection Committee, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
The Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan includes improving the performance of Canada's technology companies. Venture capital (VC) is a critical part of the Canadian economy because it provides funding that enables high-potential, innovative companies to survive and grow.
Budget 2017 announced the Government is making available up to $400 million for a new Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) to increase the availability of late stage VC in Canada. With funds leveraged from the private sector, and depending on the proposals received, this investment could inject an estimated $1.5 billion into Canada's innovation capital market.
Through VCCI, the Government of Canada, with the participation of corporate, institutional and other investors, is expecting to capitalize private sector-led intermediaries by creating a balanced portfolio of traditional, returns-driven funds-of-funds and alternative models not otherwise served by funds-of-funds, targeting emerging areas to strengthen and broaden the Canadian VC ecosystem. The selection committee will be asked to review and evaluate applications based on areas they are proposing to address.
The Chair and members of the selection committee will evaluate incoming proposals and provide recommendations to the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on which applicants to select for VCCI. The term of this commitment is expected to be from February to June 2018.
Further details about the initiative can be found on the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative website.
Candidates must send a résumé and cover letter addressed to the Deputy Minister of ISED to the following email address: capital@canada.ca. Please note that the deadline for interested Canadians to apply has been extended to: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 26, 2018.
Selection Committee applications are now closed.
Your cover letter should outline how you meet the experience, knowledge and personal attributes criteria outlined below.
Official Languages and Diversity
The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for these positions. You are therefore encouraged to include in your application your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups.
To be considered for one of these positions, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:
Education and Experience
- A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training or experience;
- Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public or private-sector organization, or as a senior executive answerable to stakeholders in the public or private sector; and
- Extensive experience at a senior level in venture capital or private equity, involved in determining the strategy, policies and broad principles for investment activity.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Solid and broad understanding of the funding and support ecosystem for innovative start-ups in Canada;
- Strong understanding of various funding models and structures, as well as the parameters and incentives required to attract private-sector capital to Canada over the long term;
- Ability to discuss, foster debate among committee members, facilitate consensus and manage conflicts, should they arise;
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with other committee members and stakeholders; and
- Superior written and verbal communication skills.
In addition to the criteria outlined above, candidates wishing to be considered for Chair should demonstrate:
- Experience in chairing private-sector committees or boards; and
- Leadership, decision-making and consensus-building qualities.
Personal Attributes
Please include contact information for three personal references.
If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we may contact your references to verify how you have demonstrated the experience requirements and the following personal attributes in your current and recently held positions:
- Sound judgment, tact, and discretion
- High ethical standards
- Integrity
- Superior interpersonal skills
- Adaptability, flexibility and impartiality
Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment
In your application, it will be important to confirm that you are able to abide by the following requirements:
- The time commitment for members is expected to be approximately 10 hours per month, and may be up to 30 hours per month during the initial application review and evaluation period.
- You must be willing to travel domestically as required.
- Each member shall be reimbursed, consistent with guidelines set forth by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, for reasonable travel and living expenses incurred while performing committee duties.
- Members will discuss and review confidential and sensitive documents and will be required to observe the confidentiality and privacy policies of the Government of Canada.
- You must observe guidelines on conflict of interest and ethics, and may not have any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
- Reliability Status security clearance will be required.
If you are chosen as a selection committee member you will be expected to sign and agree to the Appointment Agreement, including conflict of interest and confidentiality provisions, included below.
This notice is not intended to be the sole means of recruitment.
Appointment Agreement
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) Selection Committee
Chair and Members
BETWEEN:
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA (as represented by the Deputy Minister of the Department of Industry, styled Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
(hereinafter referred to as the "Deputy Minister")
AND:
(name), of the City of in the Province of
(hereinafter referred to as the "Member");
"the Parties"
WHEREAS
Access to capital is a key element in advancing innovation from ideas to reality. Venture capital (VC) is a critical part of the Canadian economy because it provides funding that enables high-potential, innovative companies to survive and grow.
Budget 2017 announced the Government is making available up to $400 million for a new VCCI to increase the availability of late stage VC in Canada. With funds leveraged from the private sector, and depending on the proposals received, this investment could inject approximately $1.5 billion into Canada's innovation capital market.
A selection committee (Committee) consisting of up to six people (the Members), will be established to support and advise the Deputy Minister (DM) of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) on the selection of applicants for the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI).
IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
1.0 Project Requirement/Objective
1.1 The Committee will be asked to provide input and advice on the selection of applicants. To do this, the Committee will review the Secretariat's preliminary analysis of incoming proposals and provide advice to the DM regarding the selected applicants (the Work).
2.0 Scope of Work/Tasks
2.1 The Committee will prepare a written report to the DM that details its recommendations on selected applicants to build a balanced portfolio of traditional, returns-driven funds-of-funds and alternative models targeting emerging areas to strengthen and broaden the Canadian VC ecosystem.
2.2 The Committee will convene at least three meetings between February 2018 and June 2018, of which at least one should be face to face. Teleconferences may be held as required. Each member of the Committee is expected to participate at each meeting and teleconference call; alternates are not permitted. Members may provide their input in writing if they are unavailable at the time of the meeting or teleconference.
2.3 A simple majority of members will constitute a quorum. Committee members should strive to reach decisions and recommendations by consensus. If no consensus can be reached, decision by simple majority of members is acceptable. Dissenting members may include discussion to that effect in the report if they desire.
3.0 Deliverables/Timelines
3.1 The evaluation of applications is expected to commence in February 2018 and into summer 2018. A written report of recommendations must be submitted in a reasonable time, as agreed to in advance by the Committee and the Secretariat.
4.0 Travel/Remuneration
4.1 Travel may be required.
4.2 All travel must be preauthorized by the Project Authority and must be in accordance with Section 7 of Treasury Board Special Travel Authorities and Appendices B, C and D of the National Joint Council Travel Directive, as amended from time to time.
- The National Joint Council Travel Directive can be found at the following link: http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/index.php?did=10&lang=eng
- The Treasury Board Special Travel Authorities can be found at the following link: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/psm-fpfm/pay-remuneration/travel-deplacements/sta-asv-eng.asp
4.3 ISED agrees to reimburse Members for reasonable travel and related expenses that are incurred in fulfilling this Agreement as per the below Terms of Payment.
5.0 Committee Support
5.1 A Secretariat, staffed by employees of ISED and the Business Development Bank of Canada, will provide the following functions:
- Assistance with research and investigation for the Committee's analysis and recommendations;
- Preparation, translation and editing of documents;
- Meeting co-ordination, including hospitality, meeting room rentals, logistics; and
- Drafting summaries of meetings and calls.
6.0 Official Languages
6.1 Work may be provided in either English or French.
7.0 Intellectual Property
7.1 All intellectual property rights in any documents produced by the Committee shall immediately vest in and remain the property of the Government of Canada.
8.0 Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
8.1 Members are bound by the conflict of interest and confidentiality provisions attached to this Agreement as Annex A.
9.0 Project Authority
9.1 The Project Authority is responsible for the planning and monitoring of the Committee and its report.
9.2 The Project Authority for this agreement is: Small Business and Tourism Branch, ISED.
10.0 Terms of Payment
10.1 ISED agrees to remunerate the Member $1 for their entire service to the Committee, and a sum not to exceed $24,500.00 including taxes, for any reasonable travel-related expenses incurred in the performance of the Work upon submission of a detailed invoice and original receipts (amounts specified in Appendices B, C and D of the National Joint Council Travel Directive do not require receipts).
10.2 The amounts specified in Appendices B, C and D of the National Joint Council Travel Directive only represent the maximum claimable and not the actual allocation to the Member for authorized travel and living expenses.
10.3 A detailed invoice(s) and original receipts must be submitted.
10.4 No Member, or any of their personnel, is engaged by this Agreement as an employee, servant or agent of Her Majesty. To the extent applicable, Members are solely responsible for any and all payments and/or deductions required to be made including those required for Canada or Quebec Pension Plans, Employment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, or Income Tax.
11.0 Applicable Laws and Gender References
11.1 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with and governed by the laws in effect in the Province of Ontario.
11.2 Wherever used herein, the feminine shall include masculine and the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement is duly executed by the Member and by an authorized representative of Canada.
Executed in duplicate and effective this day of , 2018.
FOR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA:
(Signature)
Deputy Minister,
Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
(Witness)
(Name)
THE MEMBER:
(Signature)
(Name)
(Witness)
(Name)
ANNEX A
Conflict of interest and confidentiality provisions
Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) Selection Committee
1.0 Context
1.1 The Deputy Minister has established Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) Selection Committee (Committee) comprised of representatives to provide him with expert advice.
1.2 The Member wishes to become a Member of the Committee.
1.3 It is important that the advice the Members provide to the Deputy Minister is not tainted by actual or potential bias and is free of any real or apparent conflict of interest; and the Deputy Minister may consider the whole of the deliberations and recommendations of the Committee and the materials which its Members consider or generate as confidential.
2.0 Conflict of interest
2.1 The Member acknowledges the importance of offering advice and recommendations that are independent, expert, and made in good faith. The Member shall make all research and analysis gathered by the Member for the purposes of providing advice to the Deputy Minister available to the Deputy Minister or to the official(s) designated by the Deputy Minister.
2.2 The Member shall disclose to the Deputy Minister any advice which, if adopted and implemented by ISED, would result in financial gain to the Member, either professionally or personally, or to any person in the Member's immediate family or to any organization with which the Member is affiliated.
2.3 In the event that the Member also sits on another advisory board, the Member agrees not to share any information, documentation, deliberations, records or advice obtained, developed or given by or to the Committee Members with the members of the other advisory board, unless and until the Member is authorized to do so, in writing, by the Deputy Minister or an official designated by the Deputy Minister.
2.4 The Member shall immediately report to the Deputy Minister any circumstances in which the Member perceives a conflict or bias resulting from the Member's roles on the Committee and any outside interests or activities, including organizational affiliations or other advisory boards. Should the Deputy Minister or an official designated by the Deputy Minister conclude that a real, apparent or perceived conflict of interest exists involving the Member's activities on the Committee and the outside interests or activities, including other advisory boards, he may require the Member to abstain from participating in any related discussions or in the development of a related recommendation, or terminate the Member's membership in the Committee at the Deputy Minister's sole discretion.
2.5 In the event that the Member is already subject to the Value and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, Values and Ethics Codes for a Federal Department, the Conflict of Interest Act, or any other federal policy relating to conflict of interest, the Member acknowledges that she remains bound by these provisions and shall comply with their requirements in performing her duties under the terms of this Agreement.
3. Confidentiality
3.1 The Member agrees to treat any information which the Deputy Minister or ISED discloses to her in her capacity as a Committee member as confidential and subject to the Access to Information Act, the Security of Information Act and the Government Security Policy.
3.2 The Member agrees that she shall not, without the prior written permission of the Deputy Minister or an official designated by the Deputy Minister, disclose to any one, other than another Committee member acting within the scope of her Committee role, the Deputy Minister or an official of ISED (including its Access to Information Coordinator), any information or documentation discussed or provided by ISED or by any other person, for or during Committee meetings, discussions or deliberations, except to the extent that such information or documentation is demonstrably in the public domain.
3.3 The Member shall not make use of the information or documentation disclosed or provided to the Member in her capacity as a Committee member, except to the extent that it is demonstrably in the public domain, for any purpose other than her mandate as a Member of the Committee.
3.4 The Member agrees to return to the Deputy Minister any information disclosed to her in her capacity as a Committee member at the end of her term.
3.5 These confidentiality provisions are subject to the operation of Canadian law and any validly issued Court order.
4.0 Survival
4.1 The obligations set out in this Annex shall survive the expiration or termination of the Appointment Agreement.