What’s New: Diversity and Leadership at Canadian Public Companies

The Diversity Disclosure Practices – Diversity and Leadership at Canadian Public Companies is an annual comprehensive report that is published by international business law firm Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP. This report provides detailed disclosure of representation of women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities at publicly- traded corporations governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA).  In the 2021 report, the breakdowns of numbers and percentages of Directors and executive officers reveals some improvement in the advancement of women as board members of TSX/S&P companies however this progress. The results for Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities are disappointing. Among the over 2,200 board positions of the 316 CBCA companies there were only nine positions held by persons with disabilities and eight positions held by Aboriginal peoples. 

The final section of the report features best practices to advance diversity through recruitment criteria, mentorship programs, networking programs and resource groups, diversity training, flexible work arrangements, building external partnerships, pay equity initiatives, and improvements in organizational culture. 

This report is a must read for corporate boards and executive leaders.

To view the report, click here.