Despite good intentions and investments in programs to support women’s participation in Canada’s electricity sector, the pace of change has been slow. Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity explores the status of women’s representation in companies across Canada’s electricity sector, with a focus on the leadership level. It includes a review of the current levels of women’s participation in the sector, highlights champions and successful initiatives, and offers recommendations for sparking meaningful change.
Changing the face of Canada’s electricity sector requires us all to work closely together. We need to shift the way we think about leaders to understand the current situation and work towards a more equitable and gender balanced workforce. Leadershift can help us get there.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Checklist
This checklist includes promising practices to help organizations prioritize, embed, and broaden their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Access the checklistThe Launch of Leadershift
Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity was launched on Thursday, May 28, 2020. The launch included:
- Opening remarks from Kathy Lerette, Senior Vice President of Business Transformation at Alectra
- overview of the research
- Key findings and takeaways
- Recommendations and how to foster positive change
- Guest commentary from industry experts:
- Lyne Parent-Garvey, Hydro Ottawa
- Jeanette Southwood, Engineers Canada
- Elaina Eifler, ATCO
- Questions and answers from the research lead
Taking Action
Ready to make a change? EHRC has developed tools and resources to help your organization become a champion of gender equity in the workplace.
Leadership Accord on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Leadership Accord on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a public commitment by Canadian employers, educators, unions and governments to promote DEI within their organizations. Sign up today and join a national network of industry leaders, colleges and corporate partners.
Women Leadership Nation
Women Leadership Nation is helping organizations close the gender and innovation gaps, by creating Unified Workplaces™ that attract, develop, engage and retain women leaders; and unify the entire workforce by increasing inclusion, diversity, collaboration, and innovation. EHRC members receive a corporate discount of 10% on workshops.
Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap includes a report examining the issues and barriers around the recruitment and retention of women in the electricity industry, as well as a video series profiling women in a diverse range of jobs in the sector, a case study series and a list of resources for further reading.
Acknowledgements
EHRC would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following individuals and organizations who participated on the Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity national advisory committee:
- Lyne Parent-Garvey
Chair of the Advisory Committee
Hydro Ottawa - Indy Butany-DeSouza
Alectra Utilities - Paul Dabrowski
Ontario Power Generation - Lindsay Miller-Branovacki
University of Windsor - Lisa Nadeau
Alberta Electric System Operator - Joanna Osawe
Women in Renewable Energy - Jessica Parsons
TransAlta - Jeanette M. Southwood
Engineers Canada - Michelle Branigan
Electricity Human Resources Canada - Mark Chapeskie
Electricity Human Resources Canada - Merertu Mogga Frissa
Electricity Human Resources Canada
We would also like to thank research partners and the many interview respondents who participated in this study.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.
