5: Stakeholder Representation
Represent fully the range of standardization stakeholders Other Information:
Canada, like many other western countries, is beginning to grapple with changing demographics including an aging population,
declining birth-rates, and static immigration levels. Competition for skilled employees and immigrants among G-7 nations is
expected to increase accordingly. Canadian population centers also are changing with over one half of Canadians living in
or around four main metropolitan areas: Toronto (ON), Montréal (QC), Edmonton-Calgary (AB) & Vancouver (BC) while other Canadian
provinces and territories are experiencing decreases in population. These trends may have a negative impact on the approximately
15,000 person volunteer base of the NSS. The SCC and our NSS colleagues must be aware of these trends and attempt to anticipate
their impacts. In addition to securing adequate levels of volunteers for the NSS, we must also acknowledge groups that currently
are under-represented in the system and explore ways to correct these imbalances. Aboriginal groups, other standardization
organizations, non-governmental organizations, municipal governments, etc. are groups that possibly could benefit from greater
levels of engagement. Attention to the development of a more robust stakeholder base will result in a more representative
system with applicable and acceptable standardization products. Coupled with these considerations is the ongoing necessity
for innovative and sustainable funding approaches to support the NSS (including participation in standards development activities).
Earlier work by the SCC’s Task Force on Innovative Funding Solutions (TFUNS) resulted in several recommendations and a commitment
to further study. The SCC and fellow NSS stakeholders will continue to address concerns regarding “representation” and strive
to implement achievable objectives.
Objective(s):
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