Gender Diversity on Boards and in Senior Management

Source: http://www.osler.com/uploadedFiles/Gender-Diversity-on-Boards-and-in-Senior-Management.pdf

Osler (law firm) has an update on gender diversity on boards/senior management at publicly traded companies in Canada. Specifically, updates to securities law in 2015 brings new disclosure requirements -- which Osler suggests, may change the diversity of boards. The old adage of what is measured gets changed is in play here.

The under-representation of women on boards and in senior management roles has long been a concern. however, a confluence of better tools for communication and recruitment, a regulatory focus on the issue, and media interest in the topic, have highlighted the need to take steps to redress the imbalance. new disclosure requirements under Canadian securities laws which come into effect in 2015 are expected to have an impact on disclosure and practice.

Additional info: Women on Boards: A Competitive Edge - Status of Women Canada

At current rates we are generations away from gender parity. At the current rate of change, 4.7 percentage points over 12 years, women will not represent 50% of FP500 Directors for another three quarters of a century.

And by the end of the century, the Canadian Board Diversity Council thinks we may get close to parity. By the end of the century!

Sigh.