We Salute the Women Who Are Leading the Way at WSP

In honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, join us in celebrating the achievements of our very own—successful and tenacious women who possess knowledge, skill and competency in their respective fields, leading the way for us all.

#BalanceforBetter is this year’s IWD campaign theme that runs all year long. The day also marks a call to action to raise awareness about the ongoing fight for gender balance. Join our #BalanceforBetter campaign on our social media channels and share your own photos!

More than ever, progressive efforts help us move toward greater gender parity and gender balance, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, to support both business and economic growth. WSP has taken a stance on the issue, turning intent into action by fully committing to initiatives for gender balance globally. 

“We don’t see gender balance as a trend, but rather as a strategic adaptation to the world emerging. Having a balance of men and women across our teams as well as at the leadership level is essential to our firm’s success in the 21st century,” affirms Steeve Robitaille, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions.

At WSP, we also view gender balance as a business and economic opportunity and are determined to enhance our competitive edge by tapping into 100% of the market and 100% of the talent pool.

Over the last two years, efforts have been made to define and implement an action toward greater gender balance at WSP.

• In 2017, we retained the services of a leading global consultancy firm focused on gender balance to help equip our leaders across our regions with a strategic understanding and the management skills required to support gender balance. 

• Throughout 2017 and 2018, strategic sessions were held for our leaders to build, debate and own the business case for gender balance, share and discuss the current situation to understand and define it, as well as raise awareness on how to achieve sustainable improvements in gender balance in leadership.

• In 2018, our President and CEO, Alexandre L’Heureux became a member of the 30% Club Canada, showing our support and fully acknowledging that it is good business practice to have women holding 30% of leadership roles and board member seats. As a member, we aspire to reach this goal by the end of 2022 and anticipate that this change at the leadership level will support the advancement of gender balance throughout the organization. 

• WSP also joined Catalyst in 2018, a global non-profit working with some of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. As a global member, WSP has access to tools, guides, online courses, training and other services to accelerate and advance women in leadership. 

Today, our focus toward gender balance is even stronger as per our 2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan. Our senior leadership team is intent on attaining 30% of women in senior and middle management positions by 2021. 

Why? Because it just makes good business sense and aligns with our values and strategic objectives to the benefit of our clients, employees, shareholders and wider communities.

For more on the topic, consult our Diversity and Inclusion page on our Website. 

International Women's Day (IWD) has been observed since the early 1900's - a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. 

IWD is a collective day of global celebration and a call for gender parity. It is a day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world as well as the “forewomen” on whose shoulders we stand. 

To be clear, gender balance is not a feminist or a women’s issue. It is a human rights issue that stems from the collective action and shared responsibility of women and enlightened men to move toward a gender-balanced world. As eloquently coined by Gloria Steinem, “the story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”