WestJet signs Catalyst Accord

WestJet has signed the Catalyst Accord, a call to action for Canadian corporations to increase the overall proportion of FP500 board seats held by women to 25% by 2017. Catalyst is the leading non-profit organization expanding opportunities for women and business. “We’re pleased to have signed the Catalyst Accord,”said WestJet president Gregg Saretsky. “As part of our ongoing diversity and inclusion vision, we strive to be an industry leader in our human resource practices. Signing this agreement re-commits and solidifies our commitment to a balance of qualified men and women working in, and leading, our organization.”The Catalyst Accord calls for participating companies to pledge to the agreed objective, to increase the number of women board members, and to challenge the assumption that qualified women cannot be found. To augment the representation of women on boards, companies will work with Catalyst and receive access to board-ready women representing a range of industries and skill sets, who are personally sponsored by individual members of the Catalyst Advisory Board. “The Catalyst Accord shows a focused commitment on the part of corporate Canada to increasing women’s representation on its boards and provides the tools to make change happen,”said Alex Johnston, executive director of Catalyst Canada Inc. “By signing on to the Catalyst Accord, companies in corporate Canada address this challenge and demonstrate respect for diversity and smart business practices through their leadership on this issue.”