OTTAWA (March 25, 2021) The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) is proud to announce the renewal and establishment of our Equal by 30 commitments with C3E International and Natural Resources Canada. CEA signed on as a signatory in 2019. Today, CEA is pleased to release specific commitments as part of the public commitment. Equal by 30 is an initiative undertaken by public and private sector energy organizations to work towards equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030.
“On behalf of the Canadian Electricity Association, I would like to affirm our dedication to promoting, supporting and implementing equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women, specifically in the electricity sector, starting with this Commitment”, says Francis Bradley, President and CEO of CEA. “While the Association is proud to be an official signatory of the Equal by 30 campaign, this is but a starting point. We must actively and collectively work together to successfully achieve these targets. I would also like to extend my thanks to Natural Resources Canada, Clean Energy Ministerial and International Energy Agency for pioneering this essential, global movement.”
Internationally, women represent only 32% of the renewable energy workforce. In order to reach Canada’s net-zero by 2050 goals, organizations must be dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive work environments. This renewed commitment presents more thorough and concrete measures that the Association will be taking to help advance and accelerate the participation of women in the clean energy sector and close the gender gap.
CEA’s commitments released today ensure that the organization will
- Create opportunities for growth;
- Serve as a venue for sharing best practices on encouraging gender equity;
- Consult with equity experts, as part of ongoing updates to the association’s HR policy, to explore other opportunities to encourage participation by women in the workplace;
- Promote gender diversity and equity within the electricity sector;
“Gender equality is essential for the success of the low-carbon energy transformation. Initiatives such as the Equal by 30 Campaign will be more important than ever as we look to build a more equitable and inclusive energy sector in Canada, and globally,” said Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada. “I commend the Canadian Electricity Association for championing gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity in Canada’s electricity sector, and look forward to working together as we move toward a clean energy future where no one is left behind.”
The Equal by 30 Campaign is part of the Clean Energy, Education and Empowerment Initiative (C3E), which works to advance the participation of women in the clean energy transition and close the gender gap. It is a joint Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and International Energy Agency (IEA) initiative. To know more about the campaign, please visit www.equalby30.org
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About the Canadian Electricity Association
Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -all are represented by this national industry association.
For additional information:
Julia Muggeridge
Vice-president, Communications and Marketing
613.719.9323