Image credit: ISED
On December 10, 2020, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced the launch of the 50–30 Challenge.
The 50–30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, business, not-for-profits, the public sector, and diversity organizations to improve access for under-represented groups to positions on corporate boards and in senior management.
The 50-30 Challenge sets two goals for the boards and senior management of each participating organization: gender parity (50 percent) and significant representation of under-represented groups (30 percent). Under-represented groups include: visible minority persons, people living with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2 community, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Research shows that more diverse organizations tend to outperform their peers in terms of financial and business outcomes; they develop more creative, fresh approaches and solutions.
Hundreds of companies have signed up to participate in the Challenge. By participating, these organizations will receive access to programs and resources designed to assist companies in meeting their goals. Eventually, companies that achieve certain goals within this framework will be provided with incentives linked to government programs.
This is where standards come in.
SCC’s role
The Government of Canada is looking to the Standards Council of Canada to support the development of a Guidance Document establishing the key terms and definitions for measuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This document will be used to develop Canadian standards for diversity in organizational leadership.
SCC will facilitate this work by doing what we do best: bringing experts and stakeholders together to collaborate and develop consensus-based solutions.
The Guidance Document will build on prevailing national and international knowledge and best practices to provide common language for organisation participating in the 50–30 Challenge.
Get involved
SCC has engaged the Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute to facilitate the development of the Guidance Document. The Diversity Institute will host a series of consultations in 2021 with diversity and inclusion experts to develop a Guidance Document establishing the key terms and definitions for measuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This document will build on national and international knowledge and best practices to provide common language for organizations participating in the 50–30 Challenge.
If you have any questions regarding the stakeholder consultations, we encourage you to get in touch with the Diversity Institute. If you have questions for SCC on this initiative, please connect with us at 50-30challenge@scc.ca.
Why SCC?
As Canada’s respected voice and advisor for standards and accreditation, SCC has expertise in facilitating collaboration among experts and stakeholders to develop consensus-based strategies. With our knowledge, know-how, and leadership, SCC brings organizations together to advance Canadian priorities.
This is an example of standardization advancing an issue of critical importance: diversity and inclusion.