2019-20 Departmental Plan
Gender-Based Analysis Plus
Governance Structures
In 2019-20, ACOA will continue to update and promote its Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) framework across the Agency. ACOA has a comprehensive strategy to implement GBA+. This includes a Needs-Assessment Plan, a GBA+ Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Terms of Reference for a GBA+ Working Group, Literature Review on best practices, and a GBA+ Analysis of Atlantic Canada’s Economy, which is updated when new information is made available.
The Agency has made a corporate commitment to apply and monitor GBA+. It has a GBA+ responsibility centre that leads, supports and monitors GBA+ implementation, and serves as a point of liaison with the broader Government of Canada GBA+ network. In addition, ACOA has an inter- and intra-agency GBA+ working group, a GBA+ champion, and tools and resources to assist employees in applying GBA+ in their work.
ACOA’s program evaluations reflect GBA+ considerations, including in the scope of each evaluation project, the design and implementation of data collection methods, and the synthesis of findings. Rigorous GBA+ assessments are included in all major policy proposals and validated by a departmental centre of expertise.
A GBA+ awareness campaign is underway in 2018-19 to promote the impact of ACOA activities on diverse groups. This campaign will continue in 2019-20.
Human Resources
Not applicable.
No full-time equivalents (FTEs) will be dedicated to implementing GBA+ in the Agency in 2019-20. As a portfolio agency, ACOA will leverage dedicated resources within the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, as well as other regional development agencies.
The Agency has several FTEs assigned to work on specific GBA+ products when needed (for example, evaluations). Both core and advanced training and skills are embedded into the various functions of the Agency, including policy analysis, performance measurement and programs. This ensures that GBA+ expertise is widespread across the Agency. One director-level champion has been assigned to GBA+. A six-member GBA+ working group meets regularly. Its members represent various areas within the Agency, such as Policy, Programs, Evaluation, and Communications.
Planned Initiatives
In 2019-20, ACOA will continue to update and promote its GBA+ framework across the Agency, including tools and analyses for all aspects of the Agency’s work. This includes promoting better awareness of new GBA+ standards, such as the Government of Canada’s Gender Results Framework.
ACOA’s departmental plan includes gender and diversity-specific performance indicators (as found in the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program [REGI Program] and the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy), such as the percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises that are majority owned by women. Performance on these indicators will be monitored by ACOA’s Planning, Performance and Results, and Evaluation units in collaboration with the GBA+ champion and focal points.
ACOA will continue its awareness campaign, leading discussions and organizing activities to increase awareness of GBA+ and how to implement this analytical tool into ACOA’s work environment.
ACOA will continue to request, collect and analyze data by gender and other demographic groups in Atlantic Canada, when it is possible and reasonable to do so. This additional data helps strengthen analysis and decision-making.
ACOA’s Evaluation, Risk and Advisory Services is implementing lessons from a recent pilot project to standardize implementation of GBA+ in upcoming program evaluations. Using a GBA+ lens in evaluation practices will enhance the Agency’s ability to monitor and promote the integration of diversity considerations in program delivery, and to identify gaps in the collection of performance information. GBA+ will be considered in the development of evaluation frameworks (that is, evaluation questions and indicators) and data collection tools (such as interview guides and survey questionnaires), and in analyzing information and making recommendations.