Instructions for Completing Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee (JPAAC) Application Form

Failure to complete all parts of the application or follow the instructions as written, will result in the application not being reviewed.

1. Application Form
2. Instructions for Submitting Application Form
3. Important Information About Completing The Application Form

Before completing and submitting the application form:

• Watch the 2024 and 2025 JPAAC Webinars.
• View and participate in the 2026 webinar and live Q & A
• Read the Qualifications and Selection Criteria for a Justice of the Peace in Ontario and Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics Desired in a Justice of the Peace.
• Read the Role of the Justices of the Peace in Ontario.
• Read the Principles of Judicial Office.
• Observe justices of the peace presiding in court.
• Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
• Review the common mistakes that candidates make in filling out or submitting their application which will result in it not being considered:
  1. Did not complete all required sections of the form.  For example, did not report any court observations.
  2. Vacancy locations for which they wish to be considered not indicated or numbered correctly on the application form.
  3. Did not provide the required four referees, two of which must be work/professional and two of which must be from the candidate’s volunteer experience.
  4. Did not fill out Section 11. Authorization/Attestation.
  5. Did not indicate meeting the legislated requirement of having a university degree or a diploma granted by a college of applied arts and technology, or another institution as noted under subsection 2(1.1) of the Justices of the Peace Act, or  meeting the equivalency requirement under subsection 2(1.3).
  6. Does not have the required 10 years of full time paid or volunteer work experience.
  7. Used the wrong application form or a form from another process.
  8. Applied to a location not currently advertised.

A. Application Form

• Current prescribed application form – 2026-27.
• When using a non-Windows based computer (e.g., Apple), please use this alternate application form: Current prescribed application form – 2026-27.
• Candidates who are using adaptive technologies should contact the JPAAC Coordinator at JPAAC.Info@ontario.ca to request an alternative format.

B. Instructions for Submitting Application Form

1. Read all instructions and download the current prescribed application form.

NOTE: If the application form is not downloading, clear the internet browser cache (“clear browsing data”) and try again.

2. Answer every question on the application form. If a question does not apply, type “N/A” in the space provided.

Use Arial font, 11 point, black.

DO NOT highlight or otherwise embellish the application.

DO NOT use ALL CAPITALS.

Follow the word count restrictions, where applicable. To find out the word count, highlight the text with the cursor, and look at the status bar at the bottom left corner of your window, or highlight the text with the cursor and click on the “Review” tab in the set of tools at the top (ribbon area), then click on “Word Count”.

Do not rely on AI tools to answer any of the questions. Candidates are encouraged to check for correct spelling and grammar. Responses should be original and will be evaluated as part of the application process.

3. Scroll to the bottom of this page to review important information about completing the application form.
4. Save your application as a PDF document.

Review the completed application form carefully.  Save the document as a PDF file with the following file naming convention (note use of uppercase and lowercase letters):

LASTNAME_FirstnameMiddleInitials – Region(s) applied

File naming tips:

• • Candidate’s last name should be typed in all uppercase letters with no spaces.
  • Type hyphenated names as well as two first names or two last names as one word.
  • Do not use apostrophes.

5. Use the following e-mail subject line:

The subject line of the submission e-mail will be the same as the file name of the PDF application form without the “.pdf” extension.

Subject: LASTNAME_FirstnameMiddleInitials – Region(s) applied

Using the examples in #5 above, below are the corresponding e-mail subject lines:

• • Subject: DAGOSTINO_CarloAJ – East
  • Subject: DELOSREYES_RobertJ – CW
  • Subject: MACAFEE_SueEllenB – CE, CW, Toronto
  • Subject: OCONNOR_CatherineEA – CW, West

6. E-mail completed applications to JPAAC.Application@ontario.ca. Applications will not be accepted through any other address.

Candidates are required to complete and submit only one justice of the peace appointment application form even if applying to more than one vacancy or more than one region.

Do NOT include a message to JPAAC in the body of the submission e-mail as it will not be read and answered. E-mails may include a standard signature that includes contact information.

7. Deadline: All completed applications must be received by JPAAC by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. Late applications will not be considered.

After an application is submitted to JPAAC.Application@ontario.ca, candidates will receive an automated e-mail acknowledgement stating that the application has been received by JPAAC.

Candidates who do not receive an acknowledgement email should contact: JPAAC.Info@ontario.ca.

IMPORTANT:

Candidates selected for an interview, will be asked to submit documentation to support their application:

1. Education

• Candidates must submit proof that they meet the education requirement. Candidates will be asked to email a scanned copy of their highest post-secondary degree(s) or diploma(s) or certificate(s) you have earned or an official transcript (together with a certified translated copy(ies), if applicable) by a specified date. The interview will be cancelled if proof of education is not submitted by this date. Candidates are urged to compile this information as soon as possible and have it ready if and when requested. This does not apply to candidates being granted an interview where the equivalency requirement applies as set out in subsection 2(1.3) of the Justices of the Peace Act.
• Candidates who hold a university degree and/or college diploma from outside Canada are required to supply JPAAC with a translated certified copy of the degree/diploma/transcript when submitted in a language other than English or French.
• Candidates may be considered to have met the equivalency requirement if they demonstrate exceptional qualifications, including life experience, but do not have the educational requirements indicated in the list of qualifications as set out in the Justices of the Peace Act, subsection 2(1.3).

2. Language Proficiency Testing

• Candidates who indicate on the application form that they are able to conduct proceedings in French, or who apply to designated bilingual vacancies, will be required to complete JPAAC’s customized French language proficiency test, and demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in English. To satisfy JPAAC’s bilingual language proficiency requirement, candidates must achieve a Superior level of French language proficiency. Test results are valid for two years.
• Candidates still within the two-year validity period who wish to redo the test should contact the JPAAC Coordinator at JPAAC.Info@ontario.ca for information on how to arrange for Ontario government-approved French language testing. Details regarding testing outcomes may be provided in the supplementary information section of this application form. Candidates may also be asked to submit a copy of the evaluator’s report.
• Candidates who wish to provide further information regarding French language skills and/or testing, may do so in Question #9D, under “Supplementary Information.”

3. Designated Indigenous Vacancies

• For justice of the peace vacancies designated as “Indigenous,” candidates of Indigenous heritage with an in-depth understanding of the Indigenous communities that vacancy serves are encouraged to apply.
• We recognize that Indigeneity and connecting to one’s First Nations, Métis, or Inuit identity can be complex. Due to the impacts of colonization, systemic displacement, or other historical factors, some individuals may not have had continuous connection to their communities or may face barriers to obtaining formal documentation.
• If you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to provide documentation to support your self-identification. This documentation may include materials from one of the following categories:
  1. Government-Recognized Documentation:
     • Certified copy of a Status Card (First Nations).
     • Certified copy of a Métis citizenship card from one of the five Métis Provincial Affiliates or recognized Territorial organizations–Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Ontario, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Métis Nation British Columbia, Northwest-Territory Métis Nation. Additionally, the applicant may present a membership card from the Métis Settlements General Council showing membership in a Métis Settlement of Alberta.
     • Certified copy of an Inuit Beneficiary Card or documentation under an Inuit land claim agreement.
     • A certified letter from one of the above organizations confirming active membership if a card is unavailable.
  2. Alternative Documentation of Kinship or Community Connection:
     • A statement identifying your First Nation, Inuit community, or Métis settlement of origin, with signed consent for JPAAC to contact the community to verify.
     • Documentation or letters confirming a parent’s membership or registration in a recognized Indigenous community or organization.
     • Records related to Sixties Scoop claims, child welfare documentation, or disenfranchisement history that link a parent or guardian to Indigenous status.
  3. If no documentation is available: Applicants who are unable to provide documentation under the above categories may, in up to 400 words, describe their personal journey of reconnecting with their Indigenous identity. This statement should include, where possible, information about their Nation or community affiliation and lived experience relevant to their Indigenous identity. Applicants may also choose to share additional context such as family history, ongoing efforts to engage with cultural learning, community relationships, or other relevant factors. This information will be considered as part of a holistic assessment of your application.

4. Security and Disclosure Checks

• Candidates for appointment as a justice of the peace who are or have been members of a professional organization or are governed by a regulatory body are required to permit disclosure by the organization to JPAAC or to the Attorney General of any complaints, charges, insurance or compensation claims made against them to that organization.
• Professions with organizations or associations include but are not limited to: accountant, forester, lawyer, military officer, nurse, paralegal, police officer, social worker and teacher.
• Please note that candidates will also be required to provide permission for JPAAC to conduct various security and disclosure checks. JPAAC may also wish to obtain information from other sources. In making these inquiries, every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality.

C. Important Information About Completing The Application Form

1. Candidates who wish to provide information regarding any gaps in work experience may do so in Question #9D, under “Supplementary Information.”
2. JPAAC’s policies and processes for review and evaluation of candidates are in compliance with accessibility provisions under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001.
3. All information will be kept in confidence by JPAAC. JPAAC may wish to obtain information from other sources. In making these inquiries, every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality. JPAAC may or may not contact a candidate’s referees.