Top Benefits
About the role
The Ministry of the Attorney General seeks two counsel to provide Planning and Municipal Law advice to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and to the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) respectively. The two Legal Services Branches are busy offices with dynamic work areas and support signature government projects, while fostering a collaborative and equitable environment.
The MMAH Counsel position is located at 777 Bay Street in Toronto.
The MOI Counsel position is located at 77 Grenville Street in Toronto.
About the job
Duties for counsel at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Legal Services Branch will include:
• Representing the Crown as lead counsel in a wide variety of hearings before the Ontario Land Tribunal and providing litigation support on various legal proceedings including applications for judicial review.
• Supporting policy and program development, briefing senior ministry staff, drafting opinions, agreements, and Ministerial orders.
• Providing expert risk-based legal advice and support on operational decision-making on planning law and related legislation.
Duties for counsel at the Ministry of Infrastructure Legal Services Branch will include:
• Providing strategic legal advice and support to the Ministry of Infrastructure on signature government initiatives, major infrastructure development projects, and Ministry operations.
• Providing expert legal advice on municipal, land development, and planning aspects of infrastructure development projects.
• Working on the development of legislation and regulations as well as on ministerial directions and Orders in Council.
• Negotiating, drafting, reviewing and advising on a variety of legal and other instruments, including transfer payment and grant agreements, land development and commercial agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario
Knowledge and Skills
• Extensive experience with the Planning Act, the Municipal Act , the City of Toronto Act and other related land use planning, municipal and land development law.
• In-depth knowledge of the municipal planning process, land development process and expertise in proceedings before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, real property law, municipal governance, corporate and commercial law, environmental law, Aboriginal law.
• Experience in drafting, negotiating, and assessing a variety of commercial and government legal instruments.
• Legal advisory experience, including ability to recognize and assess legal implications in ministry practices, programs, and policy proposals, and to handle sometimes complex and potentially novel legal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a high-volume practice and work productively and independently as well as part of a team in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent judgement and organizational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong client service orientation and flexibility; political acumen and judgment.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
- diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- accessibility
- Anti-Racism Policy
Additional information
Address:
• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 24 months, 77 Grenville St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 24 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
Compensation Group: Association of Law Officers of the Crown
Schedule: 6
Category: Legal Services
Posted on: Friday, June 13, 2025
Note:
• About security checks:
A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
For issues with submitting applications, or questions, please contact CSMD.HR.LegalCompeti@ontario.ca
How to apply:
- You must apply online.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember:
The deadline to apply is Friday, June 27, 2025 11:59 pm EDT . Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .
Pre Screening Questions
• Are you currently a regular or fixed term ALOC/OCAA lawyer, ALOC/OCAA lawyer on the Redeployment list, or an individual in the articling student hire-back pool?
• Which position are you applying for? (MMAH Counsel, MOI Counsel, Both)
About Government of Ontario
Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l'Ontario
The Ontario Government works to serve the public interest and uphold the public trust by providing Ministers with objective advice and expert guidance. The Ontario Public Service carries out the decisions and policies of the elected government with integrity and accountability and administers public services to the highest professional standards.
Le gouvernement de l'Ontario sert l'intérêt public et conserve la confiance du public en fournissant aux ministres des conseils objectifs et spécialisés. La fonction publique de l'Ontario applique les décisions et les politiques du gouvernement élu. En respectant le principe de reddition des comptes et avec intégrité, elle administre les services à la population selon les normes professionnelles les plus rigoureuses.
Top Benefits
About the role
The Ministry of the Attorney General seeks two counsel to provide Planning and Municipal Law advice to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) and to the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) respectively. The two Legal Services Branches are busy offices with dynamic work areas and support signature government projects, while fostering a collaborative and equitable environment.
The MMAH Counsel position is located at 777 Bay Street in Toronto.
The MOI Counsel position is located at 77 Grenville Street in Toronto.
About the job
Duties for counsel at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Legal Services Branch will include:
• Representing the Crown as lead counsel in a wide variety of hearings before the Ontario Land Tribunal and providing litigation support on various legal proceedings including applications for judicial review.
• Supporting policy and program development, briefing senior ministry staff, drafting opinions, agreements, and Ministerial orders.
• Providing expert risk-based legal advice and support on operational decision-making on planning law and related legislation.
Duties for counsel at the Ministry of Infrastructure Legal Services Branch will include:
• Providing strategic legal advice and support to the Ministry of Infrastructure on signature government initiatives, major infrastructure development projects, and Ministry operations.
• Providing expert legal advice on municipal, land development, and planning aspects of infrastructure development projects.
• Working on the development of legislation and regulations as well as on ministerial directions and Orders in Council.
• Negotiating, drafting, reviewing and advising on a variety of legal and other instruments, including transfer payment and grant agreements, land development and commercial agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario
Knowledge and Skills
• Extensive experience with the Planning Act, the Municipal Act , the City of Toronto Act and other related land use planning, municipal and land development law.
• In-depth knowledge of the municipal planning process, land development process and expertise in proceedings before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, real property law, municipal governance, corporate and commercial law, environmental law, Aboriginal law.
• Experience in drafting, negotiating, and assessing a variety of commercial and government legal instruments.
• Legal advisory experience, including ability to recognize and assess legal implications in ministry practices, programs, and policy proposals, and to handle sometimes complex and potentially novel legal issues.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a high-volume practice and work productively and independently as well as part of a team in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent judgement and organizational, analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong client service orientation and flexibility; political acumen and judgment.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
- diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- accessibility
- Anti-Racism Policy
Additional information
Address:
• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 24 months, 77 Grenville St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 24 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
Compensation Group: Association of Law Officers of the Crown
Schedule: 6
Category: Legal Services
Posted on: Friday, June 13, 2025
Note:
• About security checks:
A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
For issues with submitting applications, or questions, please contact CSMD.HR.LegalCompeti@ontario.ca
How to apply:
- You must apply online.
- Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
- Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
- Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
- OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
- If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.
All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.
Remember:
The deadline to apply is Friday, June 27, 2025 11:59 pm EDT . Late applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .
Pre Screening Questions
• Are you currently a regular or fixed term ALOC/OCAA lawyer, ALOC/OCAA lawyer on the Redeployment list, or an individual in the articling student hire-back pool?
• Which position are you applying for? (MMAH Counsel, MOI Counsel, Both)
About Government of Ontario
Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l'Ontario
The Ontario Government works to serve the public interest and uphold the public trust by providing Ministers with objective advice and expert guidance. The Ontario Public Service carries out the decisions and policies of the elected government with integrity and accountability and administers public services to the highest professional standards.
Le gouvernement de l'Ontario sert l'intérêt public et conserve la confiance du public en fournissant aux ministres des conseils objectifs et spécialisés. La fonction publique de l'Ontario applique les décisions et les politiques du gouvernement élu. En respectant le principe de reddition des comptes et avec intégrité, elle administre les services à la population selon les normes professionnelles les plus rigoureuses.