Demographic Data
Engineers and Geoscientists BC is excited to share its first-ever report focusing on registrant demographics within the engineering and geoscience professions. This report, which shares insights based on optional self-identification information, highlights our organization’s commitment to fostering a diverse workforce and enhancing the representation of underrepresented groups among our registrants. This Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiative supports a key component of Engineers and Geoscientists BC's 2022–2027 Strategic Plan and emphasizes the need for continuous education and meaningful actions in this area.
The report includes analysis on a range of aspects of identity including sections on gender identity, age, Indigenous identity, racialized identity, sexual minorities, transgender identity, persons with disabilities, and caregiving responsibilities. From the report, some primary findings include the following:
Survey Participants:
- About 75% of active registrants responded to optional demographic questions during the Annual Reporting process.
- 93% are engineering professionals, while 7% are geoscience professionals.
Gender Identity:
- 80% of participants identify as men.
- 19% of participants identify as women.
- Less than 1% of participants identify as non-binary.
- Less than 1% of participants prefer not to disclose their gender identity.
- 33% of geoscience professionals identify as women compared to 18% in engineering.
Indigenous Identity:
- Overall, just over 1% of participants identified as Indigenous.
- 11% of Indigenous participants are in geoscience, while 89% are in engineering.
Racialized Identity:
- 22% of participants identify as racialized.
- 97% of racialized individuals are engineering professionals, while 3% are geoscience professionals.
Caregiving Responsibilities:
- Overall, 19% of participants have caregiving responsibilities.
- More geoscience professionals (22%) have caregiving responsibilities compared to engineering professionals (18%).
The report contains more data and expanded analysis, including graphs and explanation of the methodology, background, and findings.
Impact and Benefits
This demographic report provides essential insights for Engineers and Geoscientists BC as part of its equity journey. The data will inform policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at enhancing representation and inclusivity within these professions.
Findings will be shared with registrants, policymakers, and partners to improve understanding and decision-making related to diversity within engineering and geoscience in British Columbia.
Our Registrant Demographics Report: Insights Based on Optional Registrant Self-Identification Information serves as a baseline for future monitoring of demographic trends and program evaluations.
Continuing Commitment to EDI
Registrants can update their self-identification responses annually which allows for continuous improvement in understanding the diverse makeup of the profession.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC will provide annual updates to the report, tracking trends and changes in demographic data over time. We also commit to releasing a future update that will explain how survey responses are being used to inform our programs and actions.
Privacy and Data Use
All data is collected, used, and stored in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Protecting the privacy and personal information of participants remains a top priority throughout this process. Registrants’ optional self-identification data will never be published. Rather, aggregate data may be used to improve future programs, or for the creation of summary reports that provide information on the demographics of our registrant population.
Contact Information
Engineers and Geoscientists BC encourages registrants, employers, and other partners to utilize the findings of this report to advance EDI within the engineering and geoscience professions. Feedback and inquiries regarding the report can be directed to [email protected].
Demographics Data Project
To support our EDI journey, beginning in 2022, registrants have the opportunity to complete a number of optional self-identification questions as part of the Annual Reporting process. New applicants are also able to complete the optional questions after completing the application process. The questions focus on broad categories of self-identity and were developed after extensive research and consultation. Responses to these questions are optional, and registrants also have the opportunity to update or revise their responses if their information or comfort level with disclosure changes.
For questions about the collection of this information, contact [email protected].
Other Available Data
Engineers Canada has a number of reports that provide data and trends for engineering in Canada, including:
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Why is Engineers and Geoscientists BC collecting this information?
Engineers and Geoscientists BC is collecting self-identification data to better understand demographic trends, identify barriers that some groups may face entering and remaining in the professions, and develop or update programs and initiatives to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the engineering and geoscience professions.
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2. What if I don’t want to complete the self-identification questions?
Completing the self-identification questions is optional. If you do not want to participate, select “I prefer not to disclose.” Doing so will not impact your Annual Reporting or your registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
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3. How will my data be stored?
The self-identification data will be recorded with your existing registration information. By connecting this data to your existing information, we can perform a more meaningful analysis of the data, correlating the information with other registrant information such as practice discipline, geographic region, and practising status.
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4. How will my data be used?
Your data will be collected, used, and stored in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Registrants’ optional self- identification data will never be published.
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5. Who will have access to this information?
Optional self-identification data will not be accessible to, or viewable by, anyone other than designated staff who hold senior responsibility for equity, diversity, and inclusion programs and initiatives at Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
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6. Why are we not asking for gender identity in the new optional diversity demographics data questions?
Registrants are asked to provide their gender identity earlier in the information reporting process and is something we were already asking registrants. We have recently updated the answer options to provide registrants with more choice, and now allow registrants to change their response during the Annual Information Renewal process.
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7. Why do you ask about some dimensions of diversity and not others (such as ethnicity or language)?
When we developed these questions, we spent considerable time evaluating what to ask, looking at how the data would be used, and assessing what information we already collect from registrants, such as gender and citizenship. We identified the questions that would be most likely to inform our programs and actions at this time and that do not overlap with the information we already have from existing registrant profile data.
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8. What should I do if I feel that these questions are missing critical information about my identity?
Engineers and Geoscientists BC recognizes that our work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the professions is a journey that will evolve and develop, similar to a continuous improvement approach. At this time we are collecting data that we know will be used to support our ongoing development of our EDI action plan. We are interested in hearing from you if you have suggestions on what additional data you believe we should collect. Suggestions can be sent to [email protected].