The organization is the first in the capital markets industry in Québec, Canada to add an EDGEplus certification for intersectional equity to its EDGE certification.
CDPQ, a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans in Canada, has obtained EDGE Assess and EDGEplus certification, recognizing its commitment to gender equity and to investigating intersectional issues between gender and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and working with a disability. The organization was first certified at the EDGE Assess level in 2020 and has since renewed its commitment to workplace gender equity with the EDGE Assess recertification in May this year.
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. The certification process involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed, and employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace.
EDGE Assess, the first level of certification, validates that CDPQ recognizes its commitment to workplace gender equity, and EDGEplus confirms that the organization publicly commits to investigating intersectional issues relating to gender equity and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and working with a disability.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, says the organization’s recertification at the EDGE Assess level, with EDGEplus, reflects a strong commitment to gender and intersectional equity: “The current CDPQ results show that significant progress has been made since the previous assessment, with an improvement in gender representation at the highest levels of the organization, as well as a stronger framework of policies and practices, particularly in the areas of recruitment and promotion, leadership development training and mentoring, and flexible working. At the same time, the organization commits to focus on further attracting, motivating, developing, and retaining diverse talent along its talent pipeline”.
ABOUT CDPQ
At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and private debt. As at December 31, 2021, CDPQ’s net assets totaled CAD 419.8 billion.
CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.
ABOUT EDGE CERTIFICATION
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. EDGE Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees’ experiences of career development opportunities in the current workplace are accounted for. Depending on the specific results of each organization, an action plan is formulated, and firm commitments towards its implementation.
EDGE Certification meets organizations where they are in their gender balance journey (EDGE) and in their intersectional equity journey (EDGEplus) through its three levels of certification: Assess, Move and Lead. A certification at the EDGE Assess level recognizes commitment, one at the EDGE Move level showcases progress and a certification at the EDGE Lead level celebrates success in fostering gender equitable workplaces. An EDGEplus certification further recognizing its commitment to analyzing intersectional issues between gender and one or several of the following additional dimensions: gender identity, race/ethnicity, LGBTQI+, working with a disability, nationality and age.
EDGE Certification is built around the independent third-party certification of data and information and is distinguished by its rigour and focus on impact granted by one of the EDGE accredited independent third-party certification bodies – SGS, Intertek or FloCert, it remains valid for a period of two years. EDGE’s current customer base consists of over 200 large organizations in 50 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.
