Transition Binder for Chief Executive Officer

Table of Contents

1. Letter from the Chair

6 July 2020

Gitane De Silva
Information not available s. 19(1)

Dear Ms. De Silva:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to welcome you to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). We look forward to working with you to advance key strategic work underway. We are confident that, with your wealth of knowledge and expertise, you are well placed to oversee the implementation of the organization’s strategy, run its day-to-day business and affairs, and lead the CER’s exceptional staff.

It has been nearly one year since the CER was established in August 2019. The Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act) gave the organization an expanded mandate and modern governance structure that provides a clear separation of roles of its Board of Directors, CEO and Commission. Every day, the CER carries out its mandate to ensure projects are constructed, operated and abandoned in a safe and secure manner that protects people, property and the environment.

These are exciting times at the CER as the organization continues to implement the CER Act, building an energy regulatory system that inspires trust and public confidence on the part of Canadians. The Board of Directors believes that the CER will successfully meet this challenge when the organization fully realizes the commitments of the CER Act to enhance Canada’s global competitiveness and achieve reconciliation with First Nations, the Métis and the Inuit.

Katherine Murphy, Chief of Staff, will be in touch to arrange initial introductory meetings, including with myself and the Board of Directors, and with Damien Côté, Lead Commissioner. In this binder you will find several documents to support your onboarding, including:

  • our Board of Directors Governance Manual
  • an organization chart
  • biographical/contact information for the:
    • Board of Directors;
    • Commissioners; and
    • Senior Management Committee
  • a CER Act overview of the key changes
  • the CER’s 2020-21 Departmental Plan
  • the Departmental Results Framework and Internal Services Framework

There are also a few additional important items of note at this time:

  • Your appointment may generate media interest, and our media team is standing by to assist you with any media requests you receive. Please reach out through Katherine as may be needed.
  • You will require formal security clearance to access many of the CER facilities and documents. The Executive Office will be in touch to help facilitate this process.
  • I understand that you are aware that you are subject to federal conflict of interest and other legal requirements under the CER Act and the Conflict of Interest Act. You may wish to discuss these further with Alex Ross, Executive Vice-President, Law and General Counsel. Katherine will arrange a meeting with Alex in the near term.
  • Jacqueline Vanhouche, your Executive Administrator, will contact you to discuss administrative matters. She can be reached at jacqueline.vanhouche@cer-rec.gc.ca or (403) 630-7781.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Katherine at katherine.murphy@cer-rec.gc.ca or (403) 919-6996.

On behalf of the organization, I want to thank you for choosing to join the CER and accepting this important responsibility. I look forward to working with you.

Yours sincerely,

Original signed by

Cassie J. Doyle
Chairperson of the Board of Directors

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