The 50 – 30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, business and diversity organizations. Together with project co-creators, many of whom have been striving to increase corporate diversity for decades, the government has developed a plan to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: Racialized, Black, and/or People of Colour (“Visible Minorities”), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples, including those that identify as First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.

The goal of the program is to challenge Canadian organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace, while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table. The government has always believed in seeking the best available advice when making decisions.

The 50 – 30 Challenge asks that organizations aspire to two goals:

Gender parity (“50%” women and/or non-binary people) on Canadian board(s) and/or senior management; and
Significant representation (“30%”) on Canadian board(s) and senior management of other equity-deserving groups: Racialized, Black, and/or People of Colour (“Visible Minorities”), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples, including those that identify as First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.

Canada is home to a variety of industries and sectors. To broaden participation and to address their unique needs, the Challenge open to:

Large corporations
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Post-secondary institutions, not-for-profits (including hospitals), charities, and agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs)

The streams allow participating organizations to strive to achieve their 50 – 30 goals in ways that best suits and reflects their needs acknowledging the variety of sizes and structures of organizations, including those without boards of directors or senior management teams.

Find out more from the Government of Canada HERE: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/07706.html