The CAO is governed by an independent Board of Directors and has established a skills-based governance model. Elected directors are filled through a Nominating Committee process which evaluates and recommends candidates based on their skills and experience against the competency criteria established in Schedule D to the Administrative Agreement. Ministerial appointments are filled through a process administered by the Government of Ontario’s Public Appointments Secretariat.

The Board of Directors provides part-time strategic direction to the organization’s business and operations to fulfil the CAO’s legislative and regulatory obligations. The Board operates according to a Code of Conduct (Schedule E in the Administrative Agreement) that governs the conduct of the CAO’s Board of Directors. It sets out guidelines for avoiding and disclosing conflicts of interest and keeping information confidential.

The Board is accountable for the performance of the CAO to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery through the Board Chair.

The Board has a standing Audit and Risk Committee, Nominating Committee, Governance & HR Committee and Outreach Committee.