Board Diversity Series: Developments In Gender Diversity On Canadian Boards

Catalyst's recommendations for accelerating progress

The Government of Ontario engaged Catalyst, a non-profit organization aimed at expanding opportunities for women in business, to measure the movement in the representation of women on boards and in executive officer positions in Canada, to identify the best practices from around the world, and to recommend strategies for accelerating progress. As a supplement to the review under the CSA Multilateral Staff Notice 58-307 (the 2015 Staff Notice), the Catalyst Report has released some bold recommendations with a view to further stimulating the dialogue on the issue. 

Catalyst contrasted global shifts in technology, the growth of emerging markets, aging populations, and the rapid pace of change with Canada's slow progress in the areas of productivity and innovation to highlight the need for accelerated progress. To ensure Canada maintains a high-performing economy, Catalyst notes the following: