Apply now »

Senior Paralegal, Governance and Compliance

Location: 

MONTREAL, Quebec, CA, H3B 2C9

Reference Number : 1236 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : 71 971 - 88 906

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 04/13/2026

 

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

 

The position of Senior Paralegal, Governance and Compliance plays a key role within Legal Services by actively contributing to the Corporation's corporate governance, regulatory compliance and management of cross-cutting legal obligations.

 

The incumbent supports the corporate secretariat and participates in the planning, coordination and documentation of the work of the Board of Directors and its committees, including the maintenance and updating of corporate documents and registers. She contributes to legal and regulatory monitoring, the analysis of applicable requirements, the formulation of recommendations and the support of business units in the implementation of the measures required to ensure the organization's compliance.

 

The position also includes managing access to information and privacy requests, handling official languages complaints, participating in ethics files, and supporting the management of organizational policies.

 

In carrying out their duties, the Senior Paralegal acts with a high degree of rigour, autonomy and professional judgment, in a high-volume and ever-changing environment, and contributes to the continuous improvement of governance processes, tools and practices, including through the effective use of technologies and digital solutions supporting legal practice.

 

Responsibilities

 

Corporate and Board Governance:

  • Plan and coordinate the work of the Board of Directors and its committees (annual plan, calendars, timelines, reminders);

  • Prepare and manage Board and committee documentation (agendas, resolutions, minutes, watchlists, record of decisions);

  • Support the conduct of meetings (logistics, technology platforms, document transmission, updating and translation);

  • Contribute to governance processes (governance documents, formal communications, Board evaluation, director orientation and onboarding materials);

  • Manage administrative aspects related to directors, including compensation and expense accounts;

  • Act as a resource person for matters relating to the governance of the Board of Directors;

  • Continuously improve the governance practices of the Board of Directors;

  • Ensure the maintenance, archiving and updating of corporate documents and corporate books, including registrations with the applicable registrars.

 

Ethics and Compliance:

  • Coordinate the legal and regulatory monitoring process in accordance with the established governance framework;

  • Document and analyze changes to the laws and regulations applicable to the Corporation, including conducting legal research and developing recommendations for business units to facilitate the implementation of regulatory requirements;

  • Assist business units in adapting their practices to ensure the Corporation's compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

  • Participate in the drafting and updating of policies, directives and procedures related to regulatory requirements, including the Code of Ethics and the policies, procedures and other documents resulting from it;

  • Prepare draft ethics and compliance reports;

  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the governance framework, as well as the tools, platforms, monitoring and training mechanisms used in ethics and compliance and knowledge sharing with the business units responsible for operational implementation.

 

Access to Information:

  • Receiving and processing requests under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act;

  • Coordinate the research and collection of documents from the sectors concerned;

  • Analyze records and apply exemptions and exclusions as provided by law;

  • Prepare draft responses and manage extensions of deadlines, as required;

  • Ensure compliance with legal deadlines and communications with applicants;

  • Maintain access to information and privacy registers and statistics and prepare related annual reports;

  • Collaborate with the Senior Legal Counsel on complaints or investigations before the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

 

Privacy statement:

  • Participate in privacy impact assessments for new or substantially modified programs or activities involving the collection, use or disclosure of personal information, and follow up with internal and external stakeholders;

  • Document and manage privacy breaches, including analysis, record keeping and required follow-ups;

  • Responding to requests for erasure or removal of personal information, in accordance with the applicable legislative framework;

  • Ensure that personal information banks are created, maintained and updated;

  • Ensure that relevant descriptions are updated in the Info Source report.

 

Official Languages:

  • Ensuring that complaints filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages about the Corporation are processed;

  • Reviewing complaint files, conducting legal analysis and research, preparing the Corporation's formal representations in response to these complaint files and preparing recommendations to the Senior Legal Counsel, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs to correct any situation deemed contrary to our official languages obligations, if applicable;

  • Support business units in the implementation of changes to business practices required to ensure the organization's compliance with its official languages obligations;

  • Prepare draft reports on official languages;

  • Participate in the continuous improvement of the established governance framework and the tools and platforms used to support official languages files.

 

Intellectual property:

  • Provide support to the Senior Legal Counsel, Governance and Compliance in the management of the Company's official marks and trademarks portfolio.

 

Professional Development:

  • Participate in their continuing education in order to always be on the lookout for best practices associated with their sector of activity;

  • Ensure the development of the tools or processes necessary for the effectiveness of his/her work;

  • Ensure the maximization of the efficient use of one's time;

  • Perform any other professional development tasks required by VIA Rail or its manager.

 

Requirements

  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience;

  • Bilingualism (French and English) both oral and written; 

  • Very good knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.

 

 

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

 

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

 

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!

Apply now »