Shift Health Commits to the Government of Canada’s 50–30 Challenge

Shift Health has embraced the Government of Canada’s 50–30 Challenge.  

Bringing together government, business and diversity organizations, the 50-30 Challenge aims to improve access to positions of influence and leadership on corporate boards and in senior management for racialized persons, people who identify as LGBTQ2S+, people living with disabilities, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations. 

The goal of the program is to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within the workplace while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table. The 50–30 Challenge pushes organizations to achieve two goals: 

1. Gender parity (50%) on Canadian board(s) and senior management; and 
2. Significant representation (30%) on Canadian board(s) and in senior management of other under-represented groups, including racialized persons, people living with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities) and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. The program and participants recognize that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples as founding peoples of Canada are under-represented in positions of economic influence and leadership.  

We are singularly proud to join the growing list of organizations that have committed to gender parity and significant representation of under-represented groups within their boards and senior management teams. It is a moment of declaration and accountability that will define our future. 

For an organization of our size and structure, this decision is monumental—and the path to achieving these targets is neither obvious nor easy. But you don’t rise to a challenge because it’s obvious or easy. You rise to a challenge because it makes you uncomfortable, because it exposes your vulnerabilities, because it requires courage and creativity. You rise to it because it embodies your values and your sense of purpose. You rise to it because it’s right. 

Achieving these targets is entirely within our control. And by publicly declaring our intent, we have no choice but to make it happen.  

—Dr. Ryan Wiley, President, on behalf of Shift Health’s Leadership Team

Please see our Leadership Team’s statement explaining the process of introspection, reflection and focused consideration that cemented our commitment to the 50-30 Challenge—and reinforced our determination to work with our clients, partners and communities to build a health research and innovation ecosystem rooted in the principles of justice, equality and reconciliation. 

We challenge every Canadian employer to join us. It takes just a few minutes to register your intent to create fair, inclusive workplaces that allow everyone to bring and be their best.