Today, on International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the contributions of women across the engineering profession and reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment.
The story of women in engineering is deeply intertwined with the evolution of the profession itself, shaped by the contributions of women who have expanded what engineering looks like, who participates, and how the profession serves society. Over the years, more women have entered the profession and helped shape the future of engineering in Canada. Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30 goal has played an important role in catalyzing change and encouraging collective action across the profession.
But the conversation has also evolved. Engineers Canada recognized early that representation is only part of the picture. Increasingly other parts of the engineering ecosystem have recognized this also. Many women continue to face barriers that are rooted in workplace culture, systems, and structures and engineering regulators across the country are identifying where they have control or influence to dismantle barriers. In the engineering ecosystem, the question is no longer only about who enters the profession; it is also about who feels they belong, and what conditions support a welcoming and inclusive culture in engineering.
That evolution is shaping the next chapter of our work. Engineers Canada’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan includes a strategic direction focused on “Realizing an inclusive profession”. As part of that, we are developing a national engineering culture survey to better understand the experiences of people across the profession. The survey is intended to be completed every three years and will help build a meaningful national dataset on the conditions that support inclusion, wellbeing, and good engineering judgment. Before moving forward, we want to ensure we are asking the right questions. We will soon be inviting feedback on a draft survey framework from across the engineering community.
International Women in Engineering Day is an opportunity to reflect on the past, recognize the progress made, and help shape what comes next. The path forward is not simply about increasing numbers. It is about creating a profession where women, and all engineers, have the opportunity to succeed, contribute fully, and feel that they belong. Together, we can continue building an engineering culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and strong for the future.
