In December 2014, the German government announced a new rule which would require German companies to fill 30% of their board seats with women. The 2013 Catalyst Census found that 20.8% of board seats in corporate Canada are held by women. This is less than the UK (22.8%) and Australia (23.6%). In 2014 the Boards of Directors Modernization Act was introduced to the Canadian Senate. It would require the boards of directors of public companies, state-owned enterprises, and certain financial institutions would have to comprise at least 40% women and 40% men. In 2016 the measure had not been acted on. In Norway 35.5% of boards contain women directors which is the highest percentage in the world.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Polling Division
Province/Territory
Postal Code
Electoral District (2013)
Electoral District (2011)
Response rates from 74.4k Canada voters.
42% Yes |
58% No |
38% Yes |
35% No |
3% Yes, and the government should do more to require diversity in the workplace |
20% No, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender |
1% Yes, but only for large international corporations |
2% No, the government should never require the diversity of private businesses |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 74.4k Canada voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 74.4k Canada voters.
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Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@5CNTFRZ4yrs4Y
poor people should be on the board of directors
@8M8BFWS4yrs4Y
should be based on qualifications
@8CVDMC64yrs4Y
If a person is a hard worker and can do their job like or even better than everyone else have them on board, gender shouldn't be the reason you hire someone
@8FMTSV54yrs4Y
Men and Women should have the same rights
@8Q9GZTD4yrs4Y
Private companies shouldn't exist
@8VSNKNG3yrs3Y
whoever is more deserving of the position regardless of its a man or woman
@8VRQ9T63yrs3Y
Companies should not be able to see sex, age, background, only resume. Hire the most qualified
@8MS74JB4yrs4Y
No, I think the most qualified should hold that position whether male, female, non-binary, etc. But I think the government should do more to encourage diversity in gender and race in the workplace.
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