Companies Must Explain Lack of Women Execs in Canada Rule

Publicly traded companies will need to explain why they don’t have more women on their boards or in top roles as part of an effort by Canada’s regional securities regulators for greater gender diversity.

Companies will be required by the end of this year to disclose in annual reports or proxy circulars the number of female directors and executives, along with targets for increasing diversity, according to a statement from Canadian Securities Administrators, which represents provincial and territorial watchdogs.