Bill C-25 Archives - Ratna Omidvar

OPINION: What Oscar-winner Frances McDormand can teach corporate Canada

Jennifer Wells Toronto Star March 6, 2018 Bill C-25, corporate governance, Diversity, Opinions

The point to glean is this: in hauling the Act into the modern era a group of senators supported the view that publicly traded corporations be compelled to set internal targets to boost diversity, the very ethos of the governing Liberals. The Senate voted against the amendment, 37 to 30, in third reading last Wednesday.

News Release: Senators Vote against Measure that would Accelerate Diversity on Corporate Boards

Offices of Senators Serge Joyal, Frances Lankin, Paul Massicotte, Lucie Moncion, Ratna Omidvar and André Pratte Senate of Canada February 28, 2018 Bill C-25, corporate governance, Diversity, employment equity, News Releases

We strongly believe that in order to increase the representation of these under-represented groups, the Government must do more than what is timidly provided for in Bill C-25. We will continue to highlight this issue in the future. We will pursue our efforts while employing the tools that are available to us through the Senate. And we will carefully monitor progress made in regards to the presence of these groups within key corporate positions.

Amending Bill C-25: Clarifying common misconceptions on Twitter

Ratna Omidvar Twitter February 21, 2018 Bill C-25, Diversity, employment equity, inclusion

Senator Omidvar breaks down some of the most common misconceptions about diversity as she advocates for amendments to Bill C-25, an Act to Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and other acts.

Speech: Amendments to Bill C-25, An Act to Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act and Other Acts

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada February 8, 2018 Bill C-25, Chamber Speeches, corporate governance, Diversity, employment equity

As I have said repeatedly, I think of Bill C-25 as a soft tap on the shoulder. This amendment that Senator Massicotte has proposed is a nudge in the right direction. It’s an intentional nudge, so that we can get beyond aspiration — and I commend the aspiration and the intention in this bill — and take it to concrete action.

Senators push for stronger legislation for boosting diversity on boards

Joanna Smith The Canadian Press January 31, 2018 Bill C-25, Diversity

Omidvar said she was glad to see the Liberal government agree to earlier changes that would involve including a clear definition of diversity -- using the Employment Equity Act as a guide -- in the regulations that will follow the legislation. That said, Bill C-25 could still be stronger, she said.

OPINION: Why Ottawa needs to nudge Canada’s boards toward greater diversity

Ratna Omidvar and Paul Massicotte Globe and Mail December 13, 2017 Bill C-25, Diversity, Opinions, Senator Paul Massicotte

The term "diversity" is not defined in Bill C-25. When diversity is left undefined, even on the most basic level, as we saw in the United States, it loses its emphasis. It becomes experiential rather than identity-based. Given the myriad interpretations possible, the term risks being diluted beyond recognition, with very little accountability in place.

Speech: C-25 – An Act to Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, and the Competition Act

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada October 25, 2017 Bill C-25, Chamber Speeches, corporate governance, Diversity, employment equity

I believe that setting and changing regulations happen in a vacuum, with very little oversight from Parliament. Once we approve legislation and it is given Royal Assent, it leaves our influence. It is open to change, reinterpretation, redefinition, as the government of the day likes.