The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) is seeking comment on disclosure rules regarding public companies’ policies towards recruiting female directors and executives, along with disclosure about women on their boards and in executive officer positions.
The BCSC today published a notice and request for comment seeking input on gender diversity disclosure requirements in National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices
Most Canadian regulators adopted the requirements in 2014, and Alberta introduced them in 2016.
With other regulators looking at possible changes to the existing requirements in the face of evidence of a lack of progress on gender diversity, the BCSC regulator is now considering the requirements.
“We think it is important for issuers and other stakeholders in B.C. to have a voice in the current consultation to inform the future regulatory direction and actions that the participating jurisdictions may take,” the BCSC says in its notice.
“This consultation will assist the BCSC in understanding the views of B.C. market participants and the benefits and challenges of diversity-related requirements,” it adds.
Written comments are due on or before April 10.