Encourage an increase in the number of women in senior positions and on boards in Canada.

What success looks like

More women occupy senior leadership positions in Canada.

Government's narrative on progress

The first gender-balanced federal Cabinet was appointed in 2015. The government has also adopted an open, transparent and merit-based approach to select candidates for federal appointments. Since late 2015, the representation of women serving as GIC appointees has increased by 13 percentage points and is now at 47 per cent. In addition, the government has announced a process to address the underrepresentation of women as Canada Research Chairs, and the newly amended legislation, which received Royal Assent on May 1, 2018, will require publicly-traded, federally-incorporated companies to disclose annually information on the diversity makeup of their boards and senior management, as well as their diversity policies (or explain why they do not have one). Budget 2018 announced that the government will create an annual award for Canadian corporations showing leadership in promoting women, including minority women, to senior management positions and boards of directors.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.