Senior Legal Counsel - FOI

T

he Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.

The General Counsel’s Department (GCD) provides expert, client-centred, legal, strategic and risk management advice to the Commission. GCD provides legal advice in a wide range of areas including statutory interpretation, administrative law, securities regulation, civil and transactional litigation, corporate/commercial law, information technology/intellectual property law, procurement law, access-to-information and privacy law.

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Strategic Priorities, the Senior Legal Counsel, Privacy and Access to Information will lead the provision of legal advice to the OSC on complex policy, regulatory and legislative issues related to freedom of information (FOI) and privacy in the context of the OSC’s mandate and operations.

What will you do?

• Lead the support provided to the organization in meeting its statutory and legal responsibilities under relevant legislation, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), and the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, 2006, including advising on relevant legislation changes.
• Provide expertise and time-sensitive advice in emergent FIPPA, privacy and cybersecurity matters.
• Act as the lead in providing legal advice and support to the OSC’s Senior FIPPA Officer on FOI and privacy matters, including responses to FOI requests, privacy breach management, investigation of privacy inquiries and/or complaints.
• Consult with Associate General Counsel and/or Sr. Litigation Counsel on complex or sensitive matters.
• Lead advocacy in any Information and Privacy Commission appeals, judicial reviews and appeals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in areas related to FOI, privacy, and administrative law, providing advice to all parts of the Commission with respect to these matters and in periodic review of applicable internal policies and guidance.
• Keep up to date on emerging trends and practices related to information privacy, implement best practices and innovative privacy solutions.
• Maintain expertise in privacy and data governance risks, including ongoing requirements for privacy impact assessments and threat risk analysis.
• Collaborate with the Senior FIPPA Officer on FOI and privacy training and orientation to all staff.
• Review agreements with respect to issues related to privacy and data security issues.
• Participate in relevant committees or working groups at the OSC and at the Canadian Securities Administrators level.

What will you need to be successful in this role?

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of eight years legal experience in the areas of FOI and privacy.
• Experience in the public/regulatory sector or in the securities industry is a considerable asset.
• Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written, and demonstrated ability to produce concise, insightful legal submissions, opinions and summaries.
• Expert knowledge of applicable FOI and privacy legislation as well as regulatory requirements, guidelines and law that are applicable to the public sector.
• Advanced knowledge and practical application of relevant administrative law principles and emerging issues and developments.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with urgent, sensitive matters.
• Experience with providing advice on privacy issues with regards to evolving technology (e.g. AI, cloud, etc.) with respect document management and analysis tools.
• Very strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated experience in building key stakeholder relationships across all levels of the organization and externally.
• Forward thinking with respect to identifying, assessing and prioritizing risks, issues and challenges.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An action-oriented approach, with the ability to act decisively.
• Fairness, openness, patience and a high level of integrity.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills required to handle competing priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to be fair, objective and handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.

This opportunity is considered to be a business critical role supporting the General Counsel Department.

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC.

To apply, please visit our careers page and submit an application no later than Friday, January 23, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.

The OSC is committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. It is our priority to ensure employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians.

The OSC is a proud partner with the following organizations: Ascend Canada, BlackNorth Initiative, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and Pride at Work Canada

If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our confidential inbox HRRecruitment@osc.gov.on.ca.

Visit Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.

Why work here?

At the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), we carry-out challenging and meaningful work within a collaborative culture to deliver strong investor protection and foster confidence in capital markets. Evolving financial markets mean new ways of thinking, and every day is an opportunity to learn, innovate and grow professionally in a supportive, stimulating workplace.