‘A lens that matters’: Inaugural summit in Halifax to celebrate women working in infrastructure

Many people don’t often think of those responsible for the infrastructure we rely on in our everyday lives, and an upcoming conference in Halifax hopes to shine a light on the role women play, in particular.

The inaugural Canadian Summit for Women Leaders in Infrastructure will take place next Monday and Tuesday at the Atlantica Hotel.

The summit is designed to bring together professionals leading major infrastructure projects across the country with the goal of celebrating and advancing women in the sector.

Sara Cain, a senior conference producer with The Canadian Institute, which is hosting the event, says there is no set definition for “infrastructure” as the conference wants to be inclusive.

“It’s everything from major transit projects, LRT, bus rapid routes, to building hospitals like the amazing QEII, so really there’s so much that we’ll touch on,” she told Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

“We’ll have folks that are also involved in energy projects, and all these women are coming together to talk really about some of those lessons learned coming out of those projects, how to advance them.”

Cain says it is currently an important time for infrastructure in Canada.

“We’ve got conversations happening at the federal level about nation-building projects and a strategy that is in play and we also have other conversations happening about labour shortages,” she said.

“What we know is that women will continue to play a significant role in shaping the future of infrastructure in Canada… it’s a lens that matters and it’s talent and expertise that we need.”

The representation of women in the skilled trades field is low compared to men. Statistics Canada has estimated that tradeswomen represent fewer than eight per cent of workers in those professions.

Cain says women are also underrepresented in leadership positions in the various sectors that are responsible for major projects.

“It’s about five per cent of on-site trade workers — that’s the stat of women — so (we’re) really looking to make some progress there and have some important conversations about barriers to entry and barriers to advancement,” she said.

Attendees can register to the event online.

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