The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is continuing our commitment to supporting gender equity in the workplace and has been recognized with the Bronze Badge in Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada’s Gender Equity Badge Accreditation Program.
The NWMO was the first organization to participate in the pilot for this program in the fall of 2024. The full program launched in May 2025.
“We’re proud to be a leader in our industry and to be recognized for our commitment and our actions toward diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Laurie Swami, President and CEO of the NWMO. “Our organization is planning for the future, and as we continue to advance our mandate to safely manage Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, we recognize that a diverse and equitable workplace is a key part of achieving our long-term goals. That’s why we’re committed to taking action now and making a difference.”
The program, developed in partnership with Canadian Equality Consulting (CEC), is based on WiN Canada’s Gender Balance Roadmap and is focused on creating inclusive workplaces. This roadmap was designed as a comprehensive tool to assist organizations within the nuclear sector in achieving gender balance. It includes evaluating the programs, policies and initiatives organizations have put in place to mitigate barriers faced by women, non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups.
“Partnering with the NWMO to pilot the Gender Equality Badge Accreditation process was a collaborative and rewarding experience,” said Marcie Hawranik, Founder and President of CEC. “The team’s strong engagement and openness to candid discussions allowed us to identify both strengths and opportunities for growth. The NWMO’s enthusiasm for driving change was evident at every stage, and it was a pleasure to support them in this important work. We look forward to seeing how the NWMO will continue to build on their DEI efforts and advance workplace inclusion.”
The award recognizes the NWMO’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion journey and adoption of the Equal by 30 campaign.
As a signatory of Equal by 30, the NWMO is actively progressing the following commitments in support of equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women and non-binary people in the clean energy sector by 2030.
Equal leadership:
- Strive for equal representation of women employed by the NWMO by 2030.
- Maintain gender balance on the Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
- Set a target for the representation of women and non-binary people in management roles of 50 per cent by 2030.
Equal opportunities:
- Set a target to ensure at least 35 per cent of professional STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) hires each year are women and/or non-binary people, to promote the advancement of women and non-binary people into leadership roles within the organization by 2030.
- Implement strategic and inclusive recruitment practices to attract diverse external candidates.
- Establish a mentorship program for the NWMO’s employees supporting career and leadership development for women and non-binary people.
- Actively campaign for women and non-binary people to pursue and sustain careers in STEM fields.
Equal pay:
- Implement a pay equity plan, in accordance with the federal Pay Equity Act, to ensure women and non-binary people receive equal pay for performing work of equal value.