Developed by Electricity Human Resources Canada, the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity (the Accord) is a public commitment by employers, educators, unions, and governments to promote the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion throughout their work. Through recruitment, retention, career progression, and training and development, all Accord signatories are committed to improving opportunities for women in the Canadian workplace. The signatories to the Accord recognize and confirm united action to expand the breadth and depth of the skilled workforce by ensuring that women are informed of the opportunities available to them. Once employed, these women are fully supported and provided with equal opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential.
Employers, unions, and educational institutions agree to make the commitment to increase the representation of women in their programs and organizations. Signing the Accord is the first step in a long-term process. The commitments outlined in the Accord guide companies through the process of instituting new practices by involving all of their employees and partners in these actions. This will be achieved through a range of initiatives that organizations will approach or develop based on their individual circumstances and strategic HR plans.
It is the premise of the Accord that to effect systemic change, a bold vision is required by industry leaders.
“As an advocate for this Accord, our organization fully supports EHRC’s initiative,” says Sharleen Gatcha, Founder and CEO of Women+Power. “In becoming an advocate, we are dedicated to advancing the role of women in Canadian workplaces by engaging in outreach, promotion, and communications with our constituencies about the Accord and its key commitments. At the same time, we will encourage them to become official signatories. We are thrilled to stand alongside nearly 100 advocates and signatories across Canada that are committed to making a difference!”
“Diversity of experience, leads to diversity of thought, leads to diversity of action” -Bobby Umar
“I want my daughter’s generation to see the electricity sector as a welcoming, inclusive industry. I want them to see themselves in our leaders and know that there are no artificial limits to their possible success in our sector.”
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals.” -Jean Vanier
“Please do more to hire, support, and encourage talented women who want to work. Women don’t look or talk like Perry Mason, and you don’t want us to. We often are more creative, smarter, more persistent, and harder-working than men, and we actually win cases. So call me a Lady Lawyer. Just don’t underestimate me in Court.” -Lisa Blatt
“Women have always been powerful and strong. We have made our mark throughout history. When women come together, energy is created, great things happen and we forge our path today and for tomorrow. We are making our history mark now – why not make it even more awesome through initiatives like Women+Power!”
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” -Epictetus
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” -Ryunosuke Satoro
“Leadership is causing something to happen that otherwise wouldn’t. Women+Power is leading a positive shift in the power industry that customers, stakeholders, and shareholders will benefit from for years to come.”
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” -Michael Jordan
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” -Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“It is critical that women have a safe place to come together, to support and empower each other in this industry. We will all benefit when we create a strong community.”
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” -Anne Sweeney
“You can tell who the strong women are, they're the ones building each other up instead of tearing each other down.” -Brene Brown
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” -Margaret Thatcher