Join PIAC’s Board

PIAC's Board of Directors is always looking for engaged Canadians who care about consumer protection.

Interested in joining PIAC's Board of Directors? We'd love to hear from you! 

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is always interested in hearing from people who would like to join its Board of Directors. If you are creative, curious, and innovative, and you want to help shape PIAC's future, please get in touch!

You do not need to have sat on a board before. We are open to first-time directors and seasoned professionals alike, and we believe the best boards bring both around the same table. The most important thing is that you believe that Canadian consumers deserve a strong, national voice to fight for their interests.

About PIAC

Since 1976, PIAC has represented consumers in the provision of essential, regulated services across many sectors, including telecommunications, broadcasting, energy, financial services, groceries, and transportation. We are a national non-profit and federally-registered charity, and we bring legal and research expertise to this work, with a particular focus on consumer protection, competition, and privacy.

Our mission is to protect the rights of Canadian consumers through advocating for lower prices fairer terms, and more protections in the provision of regulated services. We advocate before governments, regulators, tribunals, and the courts. PIAC regularly intervenes at the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in consumer-related proceedings to call for increased protections in the public interest. Most recently, PIAC was granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in North v. BMW, and we have weighed in on grocery pricing and competition in the food supply chain. Throughout our work, we focus on ensuring that the interests of vulnerable consumers are championed.

Why join now

PIAC has been fighting for consumers for 50 years. This work affects everyone in Canada, but it is also under-funded and increasingly complex. We are charting a course to sustainability to keep PIAC going for years to come. Our current organizational development project includes work on strategic planning, revenue diversification, communications, and fundraising.

New directors will have a real opportunity to help chart that course. Participation in PIAC’s board offers a great opportunity for people who like building things, trying new approaches, and seeing their contributions make a difference.

The work ahead

Our directors are volunteers who provide governance, strategic direction and oversight. New PIAC Board members should expect to participate in a variety of dynamic and hands-on tasks. Depending on your interests and expertise, you might:

  • join or help lead a board committee [e.g., governance, fundraising, recruitment, communications];
  • bring fresh ideas to fundraising, partnerships and funder relationships;
  • help with budgeting, financial projection, and revenue diversification;
  • assist with streamlining operations and adopting new systems and workflow processes;
  • advise on digital outreach, social media or storytelling;
  • help us reach new communities and build relationships with allied organizations; and
  • act as an ambassador for PIAC in your networks and region.

Our staff lead day-to-day operations and casework. Directors’ hands-on contributions focus on strategy, organizational strength, modernizing operations and extending PIAC’s reach.

Who we are looking for

There is no single profile of an ideal director. We want people who are committed to the public interest and who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills. We are looking for team-players who communicate effectively and constructively. Previous board experience is welcome but not required.

We are especially interested in hearing from:

  • people who are creative, collaborative and comfortable trying new things;
  • people from equity-seeking and historically underrepresented communities;
  • people from all regions of Canada, including rural, remote and northern communities;
  • bilingual (English and French) candidates and members of Francophone communities;
  • early-career and emerging leaders;
  • individuals whose lived experience as consumers can inform and strengthen PIAC’s advocacy; and
  • people with experience or expertise in fundraising, communications and digital outreach, non-profit governance or leadership, law, public policy, research, finance, technology, advocacy or community organizing, or in sectors such as telecommunications, broadcasting, financial services, energy and food policy.

Independence and conflicts of interest

PIAC’s credibility depends on its independence. Directors must be free from significant conflicts of interest and able to act solely in the interests of the organization and the consumers it represents.

As a result, individuals who are employed by, represent, or have substantial ongoing interests in industries that PIAC regularly engages with will generally not be eligible to serve on the Board. This includes sectors such as telecommunications, broadcasting, banking and financial services, transportation, and energy. Potential conflicts are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so if you are unsure, please ask.

How to apply

Please email board@piac.ca with:

  1. a short introduction: why PIAC, what you would bring, and, if you have one, an idea you would like to try; and
  2. a résumé, biography, and/or a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Not sure whether a board role is right for you? Get in touch anyway. We would be happy to arrange an informal conversation with a current director or staff member for more information.

PIAC is committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. If you need an accommodation at any stage of the process, please let us know.