Women now make up 51% of the workforce at Société immobilière Bélanger (SIB), surpassing North American industry norms.

The Quebec City-based rental-housing provider reported that its female representation significantly exceeds the 38% industry average identified in a 2025 benchmark study by CREW Network, positioning the company as a leader in gender parity across the commercial and multi-residential real estate sector.

The company said women play a dominant role across key operational areas, accounting for 77% of the property management team and 64% of leasing staff. It also highlighted a notable shift in traditionally male-dominated roles, with women comprising 78% of its maintenance team, including janitorial and cleaning services.

“Our managers and agents are the primary face of SIB. They ensure the long-term viability of our living environments,” said François Bélanger, president and founder of SIB. “This strong female presence allows us to approach real estate with a level of rigour and humanity that explains our record occupancy rate of over 99%.”

SIBis also investing in the next generation of female leaders, noting that students represent 20% of its workforce, with women making up 57% of that group. The company said it aims to provide these students with clear career pathways into leadership roles within the industry.

The firm’s commitment to advancing women is reflected in its leadership ranks, including Evguenia Kapchii, director of acquisitions and a recipient of the 2025 CREW M Scholarship, who also serves in a provincial leadership role with the organization. Kapchi is also a 2026 Connect Canadian Women of the Year award winner. During her career, she has overseen more than $300 million worth in net multi-family real estate acquisitions.

“My involvement with CREW M and my role at SIB share the same goal: to prove that high-level real estate is a field where women can and must lead. By creating spaces where diversity is truly expressed, we improve not only our corporate culture but the overall quality of the real estate industry,” she said.

Beyond workforce composition, the company pointed to its broader environmental, social and governance initiatives, including a partnership to provide free ecological menstrual hygiene products to employees and ongoing support for community organizations in the Quebec City region.

Founded in 2008, SIB manages more than 3,860 rental units in Quebec City and its Lévis suburb, with a focus on sustainable housing, accessibility and community engagement.

Photo:  CNW Group/Société immobilière Bélanger