English
The Gender Equity in Forestry National Action Plan initiative was launched in November 2018 by the Canadian Institute of Forestry in collaboration with the Centre for Social Intelligence.
This is Canada’s first public-private funded national gender equity project and it aims to create a diverse and inclusive work force that provides the foundation for a thriving forest sector and healthy communities.
To contribute to this vision, the initiative’s Steering Committee – made up of gender champions from government, industry, academia, indigenous, and non-profit organizations – are working collaboratively across the forest sector to engage, attract, retain and advance women.
This three-year project will involve the creation of a National Action Plan that will promote gender equity across Canada's forest sector.
The National Action Plan
The National Action Plan has a framework with three main pillars of action:
- Building the Evidence Base - leveraging existing data to identify gaps and establish a baseline of information on gender representation across the sector.
- Fostering an Inclusive Culture - developing several discrete products including a resistance strategy, identifying best practices from leading companies from around the world, as well as creating an advocacy toolkit to advance gender equality in the forest sector.
- Repositioning the Sector – Communicate and Recognize Progress - developing new branding that welcomes diverse and inclusive cultures. NEW microsite www.freetogrowinforestry.ca launching soon - stay tuned!
For each pillar of action, three sub-committees, each comprised of members within the National Steering Committee as well as other stakeholders in the forest sector, have met numerous times throughout the year to develop strategic implementation plans with objectives and actions, specific to their respective pillar.
As the project moves into its third year in 2021, each of the three sub-committees will continue building their respective strategic implementation plans that in turn will shape the National Action Plan.
Did you know?
Data from Statistics Canada in 2017 reveals that women make up roughly 17% of the natural resources workforce, with the largest gender gaps in trades positions, as well as executive level positions and seats on Boards.
Steering Committee & Participating Organizations
- Association of B.C. Forest Professionals
- Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Forest Service
- Canadian Institute of Forestry
- Centre for Social Intelligence
- EACOM
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- Lakehead University
- Meadow Lake Tribal Council Industrial Investments
- National Aboriginal Forestry Association
- Resolute Forest Products
- Statistics Canada
- Strategic Natural Resource Consultants
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Tolko
- University of Moncton
- University of Saskatchewan
Our Sub-Committee Members
- Tree Canada
- West Fraser
- Conifex
- Western University
- Canfor
- Millar Western
- Aditya Birla - AV Group
In the News
- March 9, 2020 - The benefits of gender equality in forestry for men
- March 2, 2020 - BLOG: Top 3 benefits of women in forestry roles
- January 9, 2020 - Seeking Study Participants
- November 13, 2019 - Report on gender diversity in forestry suggests shift may be underway
- November 11, 2019 - Diversity Disclosure Practices report – Forest products & paper industry
- October 15, 2019 - Moving forward with the Gender Equality in Forestry National Action Plan
- October 8, 2019 - Evolving an industry: An update on the Gender Equity in Forestry National Action Plan
- Fall 2019 - Evolving an Industry (pages 12-13)
- Spring 2019 - The Win-Win of More Women Working in Forestry (page 16)
- March 6, 2019 - VIDEO: Gender Equity in Canada's Forest Sector
- February 20, 2019 - OPINION: Workforce Diversity - Canada's Forest Sector Branches Out
- January 9, 2019 - Canada's Forestry board the 'worst in terms of gender representation,' says forestry institute
- November 30, 2018 - MEDIA RELEASE: Canadian Institute of Forestry Announces an Initiative to Promote Gender Equity in Canada's Forest Sector
