50 - 30 Challenge

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, I am pleased to invite you to be part of the 50 - 30 Challenge.

As we conclude Black History Month, and look ahead to Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, issues of representation and participation are fresh in our minds, particularly given Canada’s greatest resource is its people. Organizations benefit from having the right people in the right roles and from harnessing the full potential of our diverse labour force.

The 50 – 30 Challenge is an initiative recently launched by the Government of Canada and led by Minister Champagne, which is focused on developing a more diverse, inclusive and vibrant economic future for all Canadians. As you well know, research shows that diverse and inclusive companies, particularly those with diverse representation on their boards and at senior management levels, are more likely to outperform their peers, meet or exceed financial targets and more likely to achieve better business outcomes, such as profitability, productivity, and increased revenue.

The goal of the Challenge is to encourage organizations to reach 50% gender parity and 30% representation from under-represented groups, including racialized persons, those who identify as LGBTQ2, people living with disabilities, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, at the board and senior management levels. The target is aspirational over time, and the initiative is a voluntary initiative.

The Challenge allows a variety of organizations to participate across three separate program streams including large corporations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organizations, as well as those without Boards of Directors or senior management teams.

To assist participants, the Government of Canada is developing (with partners in the diversity community) a number of supports, such as a Toolkit, training and mentorship programs.

We have a big task ahead of us to bring about positive change, and we are seeking your help and participation.

Join a network of 700 like-minded organizations across all sectors and regions of Canada who are investing in diverse talent markets.

Please visit the following link for more information on the challenge: www.canada.ca/50-30-Challenge, We strongly encourage your to consider signing up and the joining the hundreds of organizations that have done so already.

If you have already joined the Challenge and know of a company in your supply chain or other organizations in your professional network, please also consider inviting them to join.

If you have any questions, please email 50-30ChallengeInfo@canada.ca

Peter Flegel
Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat
Canadian Heritage