Close X
Monday, January 13, 2025
ADVT 
National

More women serving on corporate boards, but not yet enough, says study

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Nov, 2014 10:55 AM
  • More women serving on corporate boards, but not yet enough, says study

TORONTO — A new study suggests that while number of women on the boards of top Canadian companies is improving, there still is ”significant work to be done.”

The study by the Canadian Board Diversity Council shows women held 17.1 per cent of the positions on boards on the Financial Post 500 list.

The organization says that was up from 15.6 per cent in 2013 and reflects a pace of change of more than four times the average between 2001 and 2012.

However, the council says visible minorities and aboriginals on boards are at their lowest level since the survey began in 2010.

It says visible minorities hold only two per cent of board seats, aboriginals hold just 0.8 per cent of the seats and people with disabilities fill just 1.4 per cent.

The council is calling on corporate boards to consider three board-ready diverse candidates for each open board seat. It also asks boards to replace at least one of every three retiring directors with a director of a diverse background.

"We're making progress, with more women than ever before sitting on Canada's corporate boards, but it's simply not enough," said CBDC founder Pamela Jeffery.

"We're still not seeing substantial progress, particularly in other areas of diversity, including aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and people with disabilities, despite the fact that there are many highly qualified candidates out there."

The study also says while most directors feel their boards are already diverse, only 25 per cent of FP500 boards report having a formal diversity policy in place.

To conduct the survey, the CBDC compiled a list of every director on an FP500 board using public data and through a survey conducted on line and by mail.

MORE National ARTICLES

Philippe Couillard Says He Won't Back Down On Financial Reforms Despite Protests

Philippe Couillard Says He Won't Back Down On Financial Reforms Despite Protests
Philippe Couillard told party members gathered for a meeting today in Trois-Rivieres not to be distracted by those opposed to the changes adopted by his Liberal government.

Philippe Couillard Says He Won't Back Down On Financial Reforms Despite Protests

PM Harper warns Canadians about spread of Ebola at polio award ceremony

PM Harper warns Canadians about spread of Ebola at polio award ceremony
TORONTO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper warned about the potential for the spread of Ebola at an award ceremony in Toronto today, saying that much like polio the disease must not be underestimated.

PM Harper warns Canadians about spread of Ebola at polio award ceremony

Tow Line To Russian Cargo Ship Snaps But Help At Hand, Crew Safe: Rescue Centre

Tow Line To Russian Cargo Ship Snaps But Help At Hand, Crew Safe: Rescue Centre
OLD MASSETT, B.C. - The tow line attached to a disabled Russian cargo ship off the British Columbia coast has snapped, setting the ship adrift once again.

Tow Line To Russian Cargo Ship Snaps But Help At Hand, Crew Safe: Rescue Centre

Surprising Revelations in Justin Trudeau's New Memoir

Surprising Revelations in Justin Trudeau's New Memoir
Justin Trudeau's new memoir, Common Ground, contains a number of surprising revelations about the Liberal leader and his family that aren't generally known, despite a lifetime lived in the public eye.

Surprising Revelations in Justin Trudeau's New Memoir

Coast guard tethers to disabled Russian cargo ship off B.C. coast

Coast guard tethers to disabled Russian cargo ship off B.C. coast
OLD MASSETT, B.C. - Members of British Columbia's Haida Nation are breathing a little easier, hoping they have avoided an environmental "catastrophe," now that a Russian cargo ship carrying hundreds of tonnes of fuel is under tow.

Coast guard tethers to disabled Russian cargo ship off B.C. coast

India trade mission promotes partnerships, investment, Jobs for B.C.

India trade mission promotes partnerships, investment, Jobs for B.C.
VANCOUVER - There are plenty of opportunities for B.C. companies in India. That was the message delegates received loud and clear as Premier Christy Clark wrapped up her latest trade mission to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

India trade mission promotes partnerships, investment, Jobs for B.C.