How Diverse Is Canada’s Tech Sector?

People of color are well-represented in Canada’s tech sector, a new report by the Tech and People Network (TAP Network) has found.

However, Indigenous Canadians and women remain underrepresented among tech employees.

TAP Network’s Diversity in Tech report provides an annual benchmark for Canada’s tech sector to track its progress in increasing the representation and inclusion of equity-deserving groups within the industry over time.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Data from nearly 200 employers showed positive trends in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) policies and practices at tech organizations.

Over one-fifth (21%)  of senior leaders in tech organizations confirmed they have formal accountability for EDIB-related goals, with an additional 32% considering this practice.

The report also revealed that 4 in 10 (38%) employers provide EDIB training to leaders, with another 30% also considering this practice.

“With the tremendous growth in the dataset over the past four years, we’re cautioning against year-over-year comparisons, looking for trends in representation,” said Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO of Tap Network.

Representation In The Tech Sector

The report also found that people of color were overrepresented in tech organizations: 37.5% of the employees surveyed identified as Black or people of color compared to 26.5% of Canada’s population in the 2021 Census.

However, Indigenous people were underrepresented, making up 0.9% of tech sector employees compared to 5% of Canada’s population.

The representation of women in the tech sector is reported at 36.9%, showing an increase from previous years. However, this still falls sort of the 50.83% of the general population that identifies as women.

“In reviewing the data across all four years, it’s very clear that women, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in Canada’s tech sector,” said Hollingshead.

“It’s also clear from the data that people identifying as 2SLGBTQ and as People of Color are well represented in Canada’s tech sector, and that’s worth celebrating.”