Organization

Chairs & Vice-Chairs

The Chair and two Vice-Chairs are responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Board. They make up the Board's Management Committee.

Board Members

The Board has full and part-time Board members who are appointed by the Government of Ontario for a term of two years initially, and renewable up to five years. Together they bring significant experience in a range of disciplines including engineering, economics, accounting and law. Read the Board Members' bios.

Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer develops, articulates and manages the Ontario Energy Board's strategic and business plans and day-to-day operations, and evaluates results to ensure the achievement of the Board's strategy and mandate, and to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework.

The Board is supported by the following business areas, each led by a Managing Director. Read the Executive Management bios.

Business Areas

Market Operations

The Market Operations team is responsible for the oversight of energy market licencees and rate regulated utilities. This includes assisting the Board in its review of applications for distribution and transmission rates, licences and facility asset construction and transactions.

The Audit section monitors on an ongoing basis the financial operating performance of gas and electricity utilities. Staff also provide accounting, financial, and technical advice to the Board as required.

The Compliance section is responsible for ensuring that the electricity and natural gas industry complies with OEB licences, rules and regulations. The Compliance section also assists industry stakeholders with regulatory issues.

The Applications section is responsible for reviewing, processing and providing advice to the Board on utility applications for rates and facilities approvals, and licence applications. The Applications group is comprised of two areas: Rate Applications, Licence and Facilities and all other applications made before the Board.

Regulatory Policy Development

The Regulatory Policy Development Branch develops policy options and recommendations related to gas and electricity operations, conducts research on current and emerging issues and undertakes strategic regulatory planning. Staff maintain contact with utilities, stakeholder groups and regulatory and energy bodies in other jurisdictions.

The RPD Branch also group assists the Board in monitoring Ontario’s energy markets and detecting potential or actual abuses of market power. The department advises the Board on market operation and market mitigation measures, and makes recommendations on Board decisions that affect market rules.

Legal Services

The Legal Services group, under the leadership of the General Counsel, provides legal advice to Board members and staff on all aspects of the Board’s authority and responsibilities, including hearings, acquisitions and amalgamations, licensing, rule-making and cost assessment. The Legal Services group also provides advice on appeals and judicial reviews, legislation, and corporate matters including conflict of interest. In addition, the Legal Services group acts as counsel to the Board in hearings and to the Secretary with regard to delegated responsibilities.

The Board Secretary’s Office performs all hearings-related and registrar functions including making logistical arrangements for hearings, maintaining the public record and issuing regulatory documents. The group also provides case administration services to assist hearing panels and Board regulatory staff in the processing of cases, as well as managing the Information Resources Centre and the Public File Room.

Communications and Public Affairs

The Communications and Public Affairs Branch (CPA) is responsible for full-service communications and public affairs support to the Chair, Vice-Chairs, Board Members, Chief Operating Officer and OEB divisions. The CPA branch provides strategic communications planning and advice, stakeholder and media relations, web site management, internal communications, correspondence management, consumer information and the development of news releases, backgrounders, FAQs and fact sheets.

The Consumer Relations Centre is responsible for responding to written and phone inquiries from members of the public regarding the Board and its regulation of the energy sector, as well as the intake of complaints regarding licensees.

Business Services

The Business Services Branch provides a wide range of financial, human resources, IT and administrative support services to the Board.

The Business Services and Planning group provides business support services including budgeting, financial accounting and reporting, procurement activities, facilities management, recorded information management, strategic planning and the implementation of corporate initiatives.

The Information Technology group manages and delivers office automation and technology related services including applications (Electronic Regulatory Filing, case management system) security, telecommunications support and the development and maintenance of computer systems.

The Human Resources group provides support services such as payroll, benefit administration, recruitment, employee relations, health and safety, job description and evaluation, compensation strategy, performance management and learning and development.