TORONTO, ON – July 16, 2019 – Beginning in 2017, Across The Board conducted a study across 30 Canadian music industry boards, finding that women only held 19% of the seats. In an aim to achieve 50:50 gender parity on the boards of directors of Canadian music industry associations and organizations by 2020, Across The Board is thrilled to announce that we are 10% away from accomplishing this goal.

In December 2018, Across The Board distributed a survey to compile information on the progress of this initiative. The results of the data showed that the participation of women on boards of directors had more than doubled to 40% by 2018's year end.

Across The Board would like to thank each organization who has responded to the need for gender parity, by actively working towards recruiting women for their boards. ATB would like to extend their congratulations to AFM/CFM Local 820, Canada Council for the Arts, Cultural Human Resources Council, MusicOntario (Committee), Ontario Arts Council, Polaris Music Prize, and Re:Sound, all of which have accomplished the 50:50 goal amongst their board of directors.

The rapid response in moving towards the 50:50 goal in the Canadian music industry is remarkable, but there is still work to be done. Across The Board will continue to engage in advocacy and awareness, but rely on their peers in the industry to act as collaborators in this venture. ATB encourages you to continue to advocate for gender parity on boards and share this news across your network. Any Canadian music industry associations and personnel who are interested in participating should contact Across The Board for more information on how to get involved.

About Across The Board

Across The Board is an advocacy movement to pursue gender parity on the boards of directors of organizations that impact the Canadian music industry. Across The Board's vision is equal gender representation by 2020 to better reflect the industry population. The four cornerstones of the movement are i) advocacy and public awareness, and to encourage the industry to ii) recruit women as board members, iii) be transparent in board recruiting and change-over, and,  iii) offer governance training programs for the next generation of leaders. These efforts will result in diverse and balanced leadership on boards of directors which will in turn strengthen the industry as a whole.