Canadian women professionals face DEI programme challenges

New data indicates that Canadian women professionals are facing significant challenges due to the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes by major global corporations, with concerns surrounding career impacts expected to grow.

According to the 2025 Canadian Women's Mentorship and Networking Report by Monday Girl in collaboration with Environics Research, over half (51%) of Canadian women professionals are concerned about the repercussions on their career development due to these rollbacks. This has prompted over 350 tech leaders and workers to sign an open letter urging industries to uphold DEI values.

The report highlights several trends, including the demand for networking opportunities specifically geared toward women. An overwhelming 83% of professional women in Canada have expressed a desire for more such events, with 47% actively searching for safe spaces where they can feel supported in the workplace.

The importance of networking for career progression is evident, as 86% consider it essential for advancement, and 79% believe networking is crucial for securing new jobs. Nonetheless, 68% of working Canadian professional women feel that there are currently insufficient networking opportunities tailored for them.

Traditional networking events have not effectively catered to the needs of women professionals, with 67% of participants in the survey feeling these gatherings are awkward and uncomfortable. Additionally, 60% do not believe these events contribute to building strong industry connections, a sentiment that highlights the urgent need for more inclusive networking solutions.

Mentorship emerges as another crucial aspect of career growth for Canadian women professionals, with 85% indicating its necessity. However, only 15% currently have mentors, pointing to a significant gap. Limited access to mentorship could restrict professional development and advancement opportunities for women, underlining a key area where support is needed.

Monday Girl is preparing for its annual Toronto Summit, an event aimed at addressing these challenges by fostering networking and mentorship. Set to attract over 400 participants, the summit will feature a series of keynotes and discussions from industry leaders including Teresa Resch, WNBA President, and Laurie May, Co-Founder and Co-President of Elevation Pictures.

"As the data clearly shows, there is a significant networking gap for Canadian women professionals, and too many are struggling to find spaces where they can build strong industry connections that will make a difference in their careers, especially in today's rapidly changing job market," commented Rachel Wong and Istiana Bestari, Co-Founders of Monday Girl. "That's exactly why we created Monday Girl and our annual Summit – to bring together like-minded women and provide a platform where they can learn from top industry leaders, foster authentic connections and gain the support they need to drive real progress in their careers."