This article discusses the composition of boards of directors for public and registered corporations in Canada.

Introduction to the article (perhaps by having everyone read it)

Review with the class different forms of business ownership. Specifically, bring up corporations and review the differences between a public corporation and a privately held corporation. Ensure students have a sound understanding of the regulations that come along with this.

Subject Area(s) covered

Business administration, business ownership, diversity

New Terms to explain

Diversity-disclosure, compliance. Harmonization, red flag

Key things students can learn from this lesson

Students will learn the value of diversity in the workplace, in board governance and in our communities

Action (here’s how we’ll do it):

• Distribute the article for guided reading using the Who, What, Why, When, Where and How framework.  Students can work in pairs online or in person.
• Check for understanding by a having a class discussion on diversity and how it is described in the article, what it means in numbers and in impact.
• In pairs, have students create an inverted triangle illustrating how many federally incorporated companies are meeting the diversity agenda.
• In addition to the ideas suggested in the article, brainstorm other ideas that could result in more diversity on corporate boards and in corporate leadership.
• Share these ideas with the class and evaluate them one by one.

Consolidation of learning

• Conduct a short debate with the class on whether the existing system known as ‘comply or explain’ is a valid approach to making this kind of change happen. Why or why not?

Success Criteria

• Students are able to articulate what diversity means in the workplace, in board governance and in our communities.

Confirming Activities

• Have students create a poster, video, podcast etc. demonstrating the benefits of a diverse society and how that is reflected in the workplace, board governance and in our communities.

Activities to do together

• Look around your community and identify the diverse groups who live and work in it.  Discuss the richness that different ways of thinking, traditions and representation brings to the community. Talk about ways you can celebrate and value this diversity.