Melanie Joly, federal minister of industry, has shared that Corporations Canada has presented a report summarizing the findings of its sixth annual review of diversity levels across the boards of directors and within the senior management of federal distributing corporations.
Joly, who also serves as minister responsible for Canada economic development for Quebec regions, shared that the annual report reveals some progress toward increasing diversity among the leaders of federal distributing entities over the years.
In a statement from Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Joly described diverse leadership as a significant pillar of strong corporate governance within domestic and international markets.
“It fortifies decision making and drives Canadian global competitiveness,” Joly said. “Advancing equity and representation in corporate leadership creates more diverse teams and inclusive workplaces for Canadians and Indigenous Peoples.”
Joly emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to ensure meaningful representation within corporate leadership.
“I continue to encourage Canadian businesses to report on diversity at the board and senior management levels, and I am proud to stand with businesses, thought leaders, diversity organizations and government partners across the country to drive meaningful change,” Joly said in the ISED’s statement.
Boards of directors
According to the 2025 annual report, for the boards of directors of 486 total distributing corporations:
- 60 percent had at least one woman, up from 58 percent in 2024
- 33 percent had at least one member of racialized communities, up from 29 percent in 2024
- five percent had at least one member of Indigenous peoples, up from two percent in 2024
- two percent had at least one person with disabilities, down from three percent in 2024
Board seats
Among the board seats of distributing corporations:
- Women held 27 percent, up from 24 percent
- Indigenous peoples held 0.9 percent, up 0.5 percent
- Racialized communities held 12 percent, up from 10 percent in 2024
- Persons with disabilities held 0.5 percent, down from 0.6 percent in 2024
Senior management positions
Among senior management positions in distributing corporations:
- Women held 29 percent, up from 26 percent in 2024
- Indigenous peoples held 0.1 percent, down from 0.5 percent in 2024
- Racialized communities held 16 percent, up from 15 percent in 2024
- Persons with disabilities held 0.1 percent, down from 1.1 percent in 2024
Targets
Of distributing corporations:
- 24 percent set targets for the representation of women on their boards, the same as in 2024
- four percent set such representation targets for Indigenous peoples, up from three percent in 2024
- five percent set such representation targets for racialized communities, up from four percent in 2024
- three percent set such representation targets for persons with disabilities, up from two percent in 2024
Written policies
Among distributing corporations:
- 37 percent adopted written policies to identify and nominate women on their boards, down from 40 percent in 2024
- A 33 percent average adopted similar policies for Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and persons with disabilities, all increases from the 2024 rates
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On June 30, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) released its 2026 annual service commitment review, including a summary of changes as of July 1, providing the expected timelines for market participants, such as investors and registrants, when interacting with the OSC.
On July 6, Joël Lightbound, federal minister of government transformation, public works, and procurement, and Mélanie Joly, federal minister of industry, announced the launch of the first series of measures under the new Small Business Procurement Program.
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