Pursuing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Canadian Electricity Association’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)

Promote Inclusive Work Cultures:

• CEA members recognize the critical role inclusion plays in effective ED&I programs .

Focus on Talent and Equal Opportunity:

• CEA members recognize the importance of talent recruitment, succession and retention without discrimination or bias .

Promote Community Engagement:

• CEA members understand the importance of being active members of the communities they serve, and establishing meaningful relationships with community-based organizations .

Support Education and Awareness:

• CEA members recognize that education plays a key role in addressing unconscious bias, stereotypes and other barriers to achieving ED&I goals .

Promote Sustainable Procurement:

• CEA members can be progressive voices to further embed ED&I into supply chains .

To read the full commitment, click here .

Pursuing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Canadian electricity sector is hard at work addressing social inequality, gender gaps, Indigenous reconciliation and the diversity of the workplace . Central to the sector’s exploration of these issues is the changing Canadian customer and the sector’s evolving workplace . In November 2020, CEA’s Board of Directors approved an ED&I statement that solidifies two years of work in the area and shows consensus around these critical issues that affect Canada’s electricity workforce . While the industry is making progress on attracting, retaining and promoting diverse employees, there remain opportunities to improve . Over the next five years, CEA will work with member companies to build and nurture a sector in which ED&I is embedded in member business strategies . Consensus around this statement from the electricity sector has a substantial impact . By sharing best practices, establishing partnerships among organizations and creating a digital community of practice, the sector will accelerate tackling systemic issues of race and gender, while promoting practices of diversity and inclusion .

Addressing Gender Diversity

In 2019, the Canadian Electricity Association became a signatory . Equal by 30 is a global initiative dedicated to equal pay, equal opportunity and equal leadership for women by 2030 . Twelve nations and hundreds of individual organizations have signed on . With Natural Resources Canada leading the initiative, CEA has made multiple commitments, including creating opportunities for growth, serving as a venue for sharing best practices on gender equity, and promoting gender diversity and equity within the electricity sector . Employing women in leadership positions is only one aspect of gender diversity within the energy sector .

In 2020, CEA’s Distribution Council undertook a study of women in the skilled trades, barriers to entry, and a path forward for education and training programs . Research on the broader skilled trades sector revealed that women currently make up less than 10 percent of the Canadian workforce . This needs to be addressed for both business and societal reasons . According to a 2016 report by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, the numbers are even smaller when it comes to women of colour: half of red seals trades have no visible minority women whatsoever . The other half has between one and 12 percent . Several historical and cultural reasons have led to the current situation . They include recruitment practices, male-focused support networks, limited numbers of female mentors, and practices with built-in biases . Encouragement for girls to take STEM-related classes in high school can open the door to greater opportunities . Electricity companies are successfully promoting more women in the trades by: • Changing recruitment practices; • Building support networks; • Developing education and training programs; and • Assessing tools, equipment and attire . The electricity sector knows that an increased number of women within the skilled trades will lead to more organizational strength through improved diversity, inclusion and collaboration . The social upheaval of 2020 amplified the need to create a diverse workforce, ensure a respectful and psychologically safe workforce, and acknowledge that diversity and inclusion practices make organizations stronger .

Within the electricity workforce, companies need to prioritize equity, inclusivity and diversity, and ensure all workers feel safe, supported and empowered .