Women in STEM: Unlocking Canada's innovation potential

In Canada, women are earning more post-secondary credentials than men, yet they remain underrepresented in the very fields powering our innovation economy: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). According to Stats Canada, the number of women enrolled in STEM programs from 2010 to 2023 grew by 62%, from just over 141,000 to nearly 229,000 – a faster growth rate than for men. Despite this progress, women still account for fewer than two-fifths of all students in STEM programs in Canada, and only about 34% of Canadians with a STEM degree are women. That gap carries into the workforce, where women represent less than 30% of Canada's STEM workforce and roughly 23% of those working in science and technology roles.

This underrepresentation is not just a fairness issue; it is a competitiveness issue. When women are missing from STEM classrooms, labs, and leadership teams, we narrow the pool of ideas, perspectives and lived experiences that shape the technologies we all depend on. 

Why representation in STEM matters – especially in the age of AI

A range of voices at the decision-making table is critical for Canada's innovation economy. This matters even more as AI becomes embedded in everyday business tools and decision-making, especially for the small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) that power Canada's economy. Recent Sage research surveying more than 2,000 Canadian SMEs shows that 80% see digital tools as essential to growth and 51% are already using AI. But adoption isn't happening evenly. Medium-sized firms are integrating AI far faster than small businesses, signaling a widening digital divide – by size, by region, and critically, by gender. 

The gender gap is particularly pronounced: while 58% of men report using AI, only 43% of women do, and one in three women entrepreneurs aren't considering AI at all. Women also report lower confidence in their digital skills, which can become a real barrier to experimentation and adoption. Without intervention, today's digital divide risks becoming tomorrow's productivity divide. 

That's why representation in STEM and product-building teams matter. Trustworthy and ethical AI depends on the perspectives of people from different genders, backgrounds and lived experiences. When teams include diverse perspectives, they're better able to anticipate bias, build safeguards and create products that work for everyone, not just a narrow subset of users. Put simply, you can't build "tech for all" if the teams behind it do not reflect the communities they serve.

Canada has made important strides in increasing women's participation in post-secondary education, yet the persistent STEM gap shows that enrolment alone is not enough. Closing that gap requires intentional action from employers, educators and policymakers – and sustained follow-through. Business leaders have a critical role to play in turning today's promising pipeline into tomorrow's diverse leadership bench.

There are several practical steps Canadian businesses can take:

• Offer structured mentorship and sponsorship programs for women in technical and leadership roles, with clear expectations and accountability for both mentors and mentees.
• Invest in early talent programs and internships that give young women real exposure to STEM careers – not just in engineering and software, but across data, product, cybersecurity and AI.
• Review hiring, promotion and pay practices to identify where bias may be creeping in and use data to track progress over time.
• Partner with universities, colleges and community organizations to build pathways for women and girls into STEM – including women who are reskilling or re-entering the workforce.
• At Sage, we are committed to building and inspiring the next generation of tech talent, and that work increasingly needs a Canadian lens – one that reflects Canada's classrooms, communities, and workforce needs. We know that access and opportunity must start early. Around the world, Sage supports initiatives that enable young people to experiment with technology and design, such as our work with the LEGO League and Teens in AI. In Canada, we see a similar opportunity: to connect young people – especially girls – with mentors who can demystify STEM careers, spark curiosity, and make the path feel attainable, not abstract.

A call to leaders: be the example

On International Women's Day, I challenge every leader in Canada to think about the ripple effect you can create. Somewhere in your organization is a woman in a technical role wondering whether to apply for that promotion, speak up in that meeting or pitch that new idea. Somewhere in a classroom is a girl deciding whether STEM is "for her." Your example – and your actions – can tip the balance.

Mentorship is one of the most powerful and accessible tools we have to change the statistics we so often quote. When leaders commit time to mentor, sponsor, and advocate for women in STEM, they send a clear signal about what and who they value. And the return on that investment is profound: more innovation, stronger teams and a tech ecosystem that reflects the diversity of Canada itself.

The data shows that progress is possible. The question now is whether we're willing to move from saying the right things to consistently modelling them. The next generation of women in STEM is watching – and they are ready to lead.