Increasing Innovation and Collaboration Opportunities in the Oceans Sector

Ocean industries in Canada contributes about $31.7 billion a year to the economy and make up 1.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Canada has tremendous opportunity to build on the outcomes achieved to date, harness our collective national strengths and resources. Canada’s ocean industries sector can help drive our economic recovery. It will take a diverse and inclusive talent base to help us achieve this objective. Today, there are significant talent hurdles that Canada must address to increase its competitiveness, innovation and market leadership in this global sector. Today, women comprise only 2% of the global ocean industry. According to research from McKinsey, by advancing women’s economic empowerment, Canada can add $150 billion in incremental GDP by 2026. The proposed Canadian Women in Ocean Industries Leadership initiative – CWOIL will directly address this goal, increasing Canada’s leadership, competitiveness and contribution to ocean industries. It will foster an ocean talent pipeline by attracting women and under-represented people including equity seeking groups: 2SLGBTQ+ community; persons with disabilities; and racial groups, increasing the competitiveness of this industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Shawn Pendergast

Student:

Partner:

Oceans Advance

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: