Universities heard gender balance message loud and clear, science minister says
OTTAWA — Six months after Science Minister Kirsty Duncan threatened universities with cuts to their research funding over a “dismal” gender balance among scientists nominated for lucrative research posts, she says they have heard her message and have started to respond.
More than half the scientists submitted by universities for consideration for one of the Canada 150 chair jobs are now women, Duncan said.
As well, 41 per cent of the people nominated for the latest round of Canada Research Chair appointments were female, the highest proportion ever in the 17 years the program has existed.
“I think the message is getting through,” Duncan said.