Commitment to Diversity

The Board of Governors acknowledges and respects the Algonquin First Nation, on whose traditional territory the Carleton University campus is located.

Carleton University Joins the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge

In January 2021, Carleton committed to the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, pledging to promote voluntary action toward diversity on boards and in senior management.

Aligned with the university’s current EDI Action Plan and practices, this initiative encourages organizations to actively increase the representation and inclusion of under-represented groups in leadership positions.

The challenge is rooted in two aspirational commitments:

1) Achieving gender parity (50%), which the Carleton Board of Governors already represents.

2) Ensuring significant representation (30%) of other equity-deserving groups on boards and in senior management:

  • 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
  • “Aboriginal” and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership

To track progress towards diversity and inclusion, a voluntary self-identification survey is circulated to the Board of Governors.

Read the final Carleton EDI Action Plan or download the concise companion document.

Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Carleton University’s Board of Governors is committed to fostering and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion at the university. This includes a commitment to achieving a membership that reflects the broadest range of qualifications, skills, experiences, perspectives and the myriad of human identities essential to advancing the university’s mission. A diverse Board working in an atmosphere of inclusion will produce better, more innovative decisions, further the institution’s reputation as an equity, diversity and inclusion leader across Canada, and increase the university’s capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of its global community. Diversity and inclusion drive excellence.

The purpose of this statement is to express the commitment of the Board of Governors to Board membership that is balanced, diverse and inclusive, and that incorporates a strong balance of skills, experiences and perspectives to advance the university’s mission. In addition to working to enrich both skills level and diverse representation through membership appointments, the Board will abide by its commitment to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in the performance of its duties and responsibility for oversight of the university’s governance.

To give effect to this statement, the Governance and Nominating Committee within its processes for identifying potential members and as required by the Board’s Nominating Policy, will search for highly-skilled potential candidates who reflect the diversity of Canadian society and the university, having particular regard to underrepresented groups including but not limited to those represented by race, sex, Indigeneity, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The Board will periodically review the Nominating Policy and any related practices and procedures to ensure alignment with best practices and principles for diverse recruitment.

Click here to learn more about Carleton University Board of Governors elections and nominations.