More Women Than Ever Now Holding Top Corporate Jobs in Canada

The 12th Annual Rosenzweig Report (CNW Group/Rosenzweig & Company)

Pioneering gender report in 12th year finds steady growth in women filling C-suite jobs at largest publicly-traded companies, more still needed

TORONTO, March 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Gender diversity at the top of Canadian corporations is coming incrementally, but a tipping point may soon be within sight, according to the 12th annual report from global talent acquisition firm Rosenzweig & Company.

Each year, the Rosenzweig Report on Women at the Top Levels of Corporate Canada tracks how many women hold the highest executive positions at Canada's 100 biggest publicly-traded companies. These leaders of industry – CEOs, CFOs and others – are critical when it comes to changing corporate culture and enhancing diversity.

There are now 48 women in these key positions, up from 42 the previous year (a 14.3% increase) and more than double the 23 women with those jobs in the first Rosenzweig Report in 2006. Women now hold 9.02% of these important jobs, compared to 7.9% a year ago, and only 4.62% in 2006.

"There's still much room for improvement but this is a positive signal when it comes to gender equality in business and society in general," says Jay Rosenzweig, Managing Partner of Rosenzweig & Company.

Adds Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Women's engagement in decision-making is essential to the success of Canadian businesses, and at the core of our values of diversity and inclusion. While Canada can be proud of its history, we have more work to do."

"It's time to really double down on our efforts to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs, women in leadership roles and women decision makers," says Dawn Farrell, President and CEO of TransAlta Corp., and a member of the Canada-U.S. Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, established concurrent to the recent meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump. "I'm excited by the prospects of working with female CEOs both here in Canada and the United States on what we can collectively do to make a difference and move the bar. Jay's report will keep us honest."

Another member of the new council promises to open doors wider for women. "I am looking forward to continuing to contribute to creating better conditions for women entrepreneurs by defending more access to capital, and promoting stronger networking and support," says Monique Leroux, president of the board of Investissement-Québec, and former CEO of Desjardins. "This will not only be a benefit to women but also to our society. We have to continue to work together for the growth of our businesses, and to position Canada in international markets in order to contribute to creating a better world."

More and more male leaders – political and corporate – are calling for change; and at a faster rate.

"If the success of Toronto and Canada will ultimately depend on our ability to attract and keep talent, the most sensible place to start is with the biggest of all of the underrepresented groups, namely women," says Toronto Mayor John Tory. "For many reasons, it's the right thing to do."

The annual Rosenzweig Report tracks the largest publicly-traded companies in Canada based on annual revenue ranging from $47 billion down to $2.4 billion. Each of these companies is required to file with regulators management circulars with names and compensation of the top five or more executives.

With a 12-year track record, many leaders are acknowledging its role as a catalyst for change.

"Each year the Rosenzweig Report serves as an invaluable reminder that the advancement of women is proceeding incrementally at best in many C-suites and boardrooms across the nation," says Kathleen Taylor, Chair of the Board, Royal Bank of Canada, former President and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and a founding member of the 30% Club. "By aggregating and quantifying results, the Report highlights the fact that only modest gains are being made, hopefully providing a fact-based impetus for corporate Canada to move beyond more talk and get straight to more action."

Adds author and media executive Kirstine Stewart, "What's more, the millions of women and men who marched worldwide on January 21 for gender equality cannot be ignored. It is Our Turn."

Here are some key learnings in this year's Rosenzweig Report:

• Of the 532 executives, 484 are men and 48 are women. The number of men remains the same year over year, but women increased by six. In percentage terms, women now hold 9.02% of these important jobs compared to 7.98% a year ago and only 4.62% in 2006.
• Of the 100 largest companies, 39 now have at least one woman in a top leadership role; this is up from only 34 companies the previous year.
• In the 25 largest companies, there are now six women at the top level; up from four the previous year.
• In the corner office, there are six women CEOs.

Rosenzweig & Company is a high-end global talent management firm that focuses on designing, building and acquiring world class teams for its diverse client base.

SOURCE Rosenzweig & Company

For a copy of this year's report or interview requests: Rose Duggan, Rosenzweig & Co., 416-646-3919, [email protected]; Bob Brehl, abc2 communications inc., 416-994-1470, [email protected]