Gender-based analysis plus: 2021-2022 Departmental Results Report

Table 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

ECCC’s approach to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is one of mainstreaming, meaning that all analysts have a responsibility to apply GBA Plus to their work, as appropriate.

Further, to ensure that GBA Plus is integrated in the Department’s decision-making processes, the Department has a GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (CoE) that resides in its Strategic Policy Branch. The Assistant Deputy Minister of this branch is the Department’s GBA Plus Champion, while the Director General of Strategic Policy manages the day-to-day operation of the CoE. The CoE is staffed by two dedicated FTEs (one analyst and one senior analyst) and provide support to the department, including:

• Developing tools and guidance to facilitate GBA Plus in policy and program proposals, including maintaining and growing a body of research and resources;
• Offering advice and support to departmental staff undertaking GBA Plus;
• Providing an internal challenge function to ensure that mandatory GBA Plus conducted in support of Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions and Budget proposals are complete and rigorous;
• Identifying training needs and opportunities to support professional development and enhance GBA Plus capacity through the department;
• Chairing the ECCC GBA Plus Branch Advisory Network and Community of Practice; and,
• Liaising with the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WaGE) and collaborating with GBA Plus leads in other government departments.

The GBA Plus Branch Advisory Network aims to strengthen GBA Plus capacity throughout the Department by facilitating the sharing of information, best practices and resources. The network consists of approximately 25 branch representatives from across the Department. The GBA Plus Community of Practice provides an opportunity for GBA Plus practitioners and employees interested in GBA Plus share information and best practices, discuss emerging issues and benefit from peer learning opportunities.

Additional specific activities for 2021-22 included the development of:

• Additional research to support the application of GBA Plus to issues related to ECCC’s mandate, including climate change, and nature and biodiversity. Analysis on the status of GBA Plus integration for departmental activities
• Various presentations and info sessions on GBA Plus, following the launch of WaGE’s GBA Plus suite of tools.
• The implementation of an iterative approach to support practitioners through the development of GBA Plus assessments and activities.

Table 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Core Responsibility: Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Program: Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

• Climate change affects all Canadians. However, individual experiences differ according to geographic location, gender, income level, ethnicity and other socio-economic factors. For example, large urban centers experience amplified heat waves, whereas those in rural areas who depend on agriculture can experience loss of livelihood. Studies demonstrate that children, people with lower income, and Indigenous people tend to experience the effects of climate change disproportionately, while also having less power, influence and resources to respond and manage these effects. These groups may also face greater challenges associated with the implementation of programs and policies intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• In Canada, northern and coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change and are facing higher costs associated with mitigation initiatives. At the same time, these groups often face geographic and structure challenges that limit their ability to cope with and adapt to severe climate impacts, or to equitably participate in the transformation to a low-carbon future and capitalize on opportunities that may arise.
• Indigenous communities and people living in northern and remote areas experience disproportionate impacts from climate change. Lower socio-economic outcomes, the legacy of colonization (including displacement from traditional territories onto reserve lands that are often more prone to flooding or fire), and a unique relationship with the land are factors that compound the effects of climate change, leading to intensified negative cultural, social and economic impacts for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Barriers to accessing adaptation and mitigation solutions intensify the negative impacts of climate change for Indigenous peoples. ECCC is providing support to national Indigenous organizations to ensure broader engagement with Indigenous Peoples on the development and implementation of climate change policies and programs. The funding is intended to cover their capacity requirements, participation in meetings, hosting of engagement sessions, and other activities to support the development of Indigenous perspectives and input on climate change priorities.
• Policies to expand the use of clean electricity can improve air quality and reduce exposure to air pollutants that are linked to premature deaths, asthma, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems. The benefits of increased use of zero emission vehicles would accrue to all individuals, in particular those residing in urban and suburban areas (over 80% of Canadians). Evidence shows that reducing carbon pollution can provide co-benefits for health outcomes and well-being for communities, particularly the young, older adults, people with physical or mental health issues, and people in low-income groups.
• Measures to improve energy efficiency can help lower energy bills, make homes healthier and more comfortable through better insulation and more energy efficient windows and doors, and reduce GHG emissions to help Canada meet its climate change target. Investments in clean technology, including low-emission and climate resilient green infrastructure are expected to support healthier and safer environments for isolated and northern populations, and a more reliable, energy efficient electricity supply can reduce financial losses experienced by businesses as a result of outages, such as a restaurant that loses food inventory through spoilage.
• Overall, adapting to the effects of climate change in a balanced and inclusive manner will benefit a wide range of Canadians and, in particular, will help alleviate the impacts that will be disproportionally felt by certain vulnerable groups.
• As the Government continues to mitigate the effects of climate change, it will seek to do so in a balanced and inclusive manner in order to address imbalances or inequalities that may already exist, thereby advancing a more equitable, inclusive and beneficial future for Canadians.
• For example, in the oil and gas sector, men comprise 74% of employees (See: Employment characteristics for the oil and gas sector (Statistics Canada)), and that, as of 2016, 83 % of oil and gas workers were under 55, which indicates a gender imbalance among sector employees favouring young men. At the same time, as of 2019 the percentage of immigrants in the sector’s workforce (41%) was roughly double the national average for the immigrant population (21.9%), suggesting that the oil and gas sector is an important source of employment for immigrants to Canada. As the sector transitions towards net-zero, there will be opportunities to address detrimental imbalances, such as that with gender, while reinforcing efforts to advance diversity, inclusion and integration.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• StatCan Employment by class of worker, annual (2018)
• Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report (2018)
• Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: A Canadian Perspective (2004)
• Bush, E. and Lemmen, D.S., editors (2019): Canada’s Changing Climate Report; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON.
• Regulations Amending the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal-fired Generation of Electricity Regulations: SOR/2018-263
• The 2019 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: ensuring that the health of a child born today is not defined by a changing climate
• Budget 2019
• Enhancing Community Resilience through Energy Efficiency (2015)
• The Power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Canada, McKinsey Global Institute and McKinsey & Company Canada, June 2017
• Statistics Canada. (2019b, August 19). Portrait of environmental and clean technology jobs in Canada, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
• Demographics of Oil and Gas Industry as of May 2021
• Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada)
• Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for proposed Clean Fuel Standard Regulations (Canada)
• Diversifying Canada’s Oil and Gas Workforce: A Decade in Review Factsheet (PetroLMI)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Disaggregated data, broken down by gender, age, race, ethnicity, and income, were collected to understand how certain groups may be disproportionately impacted, and to determine strategies to mitigate impacts. The 2020 Climate Action and Awareness Fund community-based climate action intake included a GBA Plus question in the project application for reporting and assessment purposes. The question was asked in the context of communities the proposals were intended to reach. Applicants were asked if the communities included any of the following groups: LGBTQ2 Plus; Living with disabilities; Low-income; New Canadians; Rural or remote communities; Small to medium sized businesses (fewer than 500 employees); Visible minorities; or Youth (ages 15 to 30). If the community included any of those groups, the applicant was asked to explain how the groups identified were going to be engaged in the project. This information is available to be reported on. It may also help inform future program design.

Program: Climate Change Adaptation

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

• Climate change is leading to rapid ecological changes that can transform the economy and significantly affect the daily lives of Canadians. Certain populations are disproportionately affected by a changing climate, depending on region of residence, sex, gender, age, income, employment status, family status, Indigenous identity, visible minority status, and disability status. For example, low-income individuals and those living in flood- and fire-prone areas are more vulnerable to a loss of property and livelihood following natural disasters.
• There is strong evidence that Indigenous Peoples are already facing and will continue to experience climate pressures that exceed their current adaptation capacity. Budget 2019 noted that people living on First Nations reserves in Canada were, on average, 18 times more likely to be evacuated because of disasters such as wildfires, floods, and severe storms, compared to people living off reserve and research shows that an average of more than 100 natural hazard emergencies affect First Nations reserves every year. Flooding alone has resulted in over 160 community evacuations between 2009-2017 across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. It is estimated that 25% of existing infrastructure assets across 33 communities in the Northwest Territories – worth approximately $1.3 billion – is at risk due to permafrost impacts. A 2018 study further estimated that up to 3.6 million people and between 48-87% of Arctic infrastructure could be threatened by thawing permafrost over the next 30 years.
• Integrating such considerations can help ensure that adaptation policy and programs fulfill the diverse needs of the most affected populations (e.g. providing culturally-relevant climate information and services, focusing investments in areas with high-risk groups of people), do not exacerbate inequalities or create new ones, and helps to ensure the equal participation of diverse groups of people in the decision-making and implementation phases of these activities.
• To address these issues and build on recent efforts to include diverse perspectives in adaptation policy, a GBA Plus lens was applied to the ongoing development of adaptation policy advice and related programs. In addition, in 2020-21, ECCC started engaging partners, including consultations with Indigenous peoples, to develop a shared national vision and identify key priorities to enhance climate resilience in Canada. While this work will bring wide-ranging benefits to all Canadians, it is likely to have the greatest impact on populations who are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• National Adaptation Strategy Report (2021)
• Canada in a Changing Climate: National Issues Report (June 2021)
• The Health Costs of Climate Change, How Canada can adapt, prepare and save lives (June 2021)
• Advancing the Climate Resilience of Canadian Infrastructure, (July 2021)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: Nothing to report for 2021-22.

Program: International Climate Change Action

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • fourth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
• by income level:
  • second group: somewhat benefits low income individuals
• by age group:
  • first group: primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations

Key Impacts: Other

• Canada’s international engagement on climate change, including its climate finance commitment to support climate action in developing countries, serves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change on those most vulnerable (women, Indigenous people, youth, etc.). The repercussions from droughts, floods, extreme weather events, and food and water insecurity have a greater and differentiated effect on these vulnerable groups, especially the poor. To address these issues, proposed programming was specifically targeted at women, girls, and Indigenous people by integrating GBA Plus considerations into climate change actions alongside developmental considerations, such as health. Canada’s climate finance commitment is delivered as part of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy Environment and Climate Action Area, to help the most vulnerable countries make the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies. Under this policy, the actions towards climate mitigation and adaptation must integrate gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. As such, Canada’s $5.3 billion commitment will ensure 80% of projects integrate gender quality considerations.
• In line with Canada’s Gender Results Framework Goals, GBA Plus is considered during the negotiation and implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) as well as in other bilateral and regional environmental cooperation agreements with strategic partners, including the United States and Europe. Multilateral and bilateral engagement increased throughout 2021-22. Canada’s international environmental cooperation had potential positive impacts on individuals and groups outside of Canada by improving environmental conditions in the most vulnerable locations, including in Southeast Asia and Latin America. GBA Plus considerations were also integrated through the development of bilateral environmental cooperation activities with international partners to incorporate women and Indigenous peoples’ perspectives in these activities, as they are some of the populations most impacted by climate change; and to provide women and Indigenous peoples equitable access to and benefits from the opportunities created by FTAs in green goods and services.
• Since 2017, Canada has been investing in women’s leadership to address climate change by helping to train women negotiators from various developing regions to support them in influencing international climate discussions.. In October 2021, Canada supported a virtual workshop that included participants from 23 countries; Canada’s also enabled the in-person participation of eight women negotiators at COP26. By taking part in these workshops, women from the poorest and most vulnerable countries can hone their negotiations and leadership skills and learn how to make their voices heard at the decision-making table. These workshops also contribute to empowering women to become climate action leaders in their own communities.
• Canada continued to support implementation of the Gender Action Plan adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which aims to increase women’s participation and leadership in climate action and to better integrate gender considerations in national climate plans and policies.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
• UNFCCC Gender Action Plan
• UNFCCC – Introduction to Gender and Climate Change
• Information on GBA Plus for Canada-Mercosur FTA negotiations: Summary of Initial GBA Plus for Canada-Mercosur FTA Negotiations
• Information on GBA Plus of the Canada-United Sates-Mexico Agreement

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: For Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance, a gender equality policy marker will be used to track gender equality considerations in projects against the 80% target. This policy marker is assigned to projects based on gender analysis to determine if gender equality is the main objective of the project and fundamental in its design and expected results, or if gender equality is an important and deliberate objective of the project. The program will report on the impacts of the new climate finance program by tracking and reporting qualitative and quantitative results annually. The program’s performance indicators include an indicator on cumulative number of people in developing countries who benefitted from Canada’s adaptation finance to measure the program’s impact on increasing resilience capacity. Where possible, data on beneficiaries will be disaggregated by gender to measure the differential impact of the projects. Qualitative results will also be collected on projects to assess the impact and co-benefits of projects, including impact on women’s empowerment and gender equality. Regarding data collection, Global Affairs Canada and ECCC are establishing a new performance management framework (PMF) for the $5.3 billion climate finance commitment that will include indicators and targets at all levels of outcomes from the program’s logic model. Gender-responsive considerations will be integrated in the indicators to assess impact on women, girls and other vulnerable groups throughout the project implementation.

Core Responsibility: Preventing & Managing Pollution

Program: Air Quality

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Statistics	Observed Results	Data Source	Comment
1.37 million sensitive individuals reached by Air Quality Health Index (AQHI risk) communications	The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) program is designed to provide all Canadians with information on how to protect their health against air pollution. This index pays particular attention to people who are sensitive to air pollution and provides them with advice on how to protect their health during days where air quality levels associated with low, moderate, high and very high health risks. Health messages are customized to each category for both the general population and the ‘at risk’ population.	AQHI Public opinion research Information from AQHI partners EC Alert-me WeatherCan App AQHI App ECCC Weather Office	Individuals ‘at risk’ are Canadians that self-identify in the 2017 survey as being either: 65 years of age or older, under 12 years of age, have heart or lung disease or are active outdoors. A recent study in 2019 from Health Canada estimates at least 66% of Canadians fall into the sensitive or ‘at-risk’ category.

Key Impacts: Other

• While air pollutant emissions affect the health of all Canadians, certain populations are more vulnerable to air pollution depending on sex, gender, age, income, employment status, family status, geography, race, previous health status and other factors. Detrimental health effects of air pollution can be compounded in individuals who have multiple risk factors. For example, a person could be disproportionately affected by air pollution if they are elderly, have chronic health conditions, and live in an area that has a higher degree of air pollution, compared to someone who has less risk factors or lives in areas less impacted by air pollution
• ECCC continued to explore ways to ensure that vulnerable groups are considered in air quality work, such as Indigenous communities in geographic areas located near large industrial complexes and those affected by smoke during wildfires.
• ECCC continued to work with provinces and territories to monitor air quality on a daily basis through the National Air Pollution Surveillance Program (NAPS). ECCC also continued to provide AQHI observations, forecasts and advisories, which communicate to at-risk groups who may be sensitive to air pollution. Statements on the health risks of air pollution along with the values from the Air Quality Health Index are posted on social media to raise awareness and recommend personal actions to reduce exposure risks. Social media messaging was enhanced during the wildfire events of 2021-22 with engagements on twitter accounts ranging from 121 to 406 per event. Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS) were issued to urban and rural communities impacted by wildfire smoke for 371 air quality event days, 360 were due to forest fire smoke 1 Apr – 30 Sept. This compares to 153 events in 2020-21, with 76 due to wildfire smoke. Increasing social media engagement on twitter using @EnvironmentCA and @ECCCWeather accounts ensures we reach partners, stakeholders, at-risk groups, and the general public effectively with appropriate messaging to support increased public awareness on air pollution and air quality.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• Air Quality Health Index
• https://twitter.com/environmentca / https://twitter.com/environnementca
• https://twitter.com/ECCCWeatherON Each province has a twitter account in English and French. The ON in this account also has an equivalent for each province and territory (BC, AB, SK, MB, YK, NT, NU, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE, NL).
• Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for the Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: In 2022-23, the AQHI program is planning to develop its national omnibus survey which will include metrics on the effectiveness of program communication as well as additional data points to support a GBA Plus lens.

Program: Community Eco-Action

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Statistics	Observed Results	Data Source	Comment
# of Projects that engage Indigenous peoples (EcoAction Program)	34 projects or 69% of total projects funded are engaging Indigenous peoples	ECCC’s program indicator data source	In 2021-22, a total of 49 EcoAction projects were funded
# of Projects that engage Youth (up to 24 years of age) (EcoAction Program)	47 projects or 96% of total projects funded are engaging Youth	ECCC’s program indicator data source	In 2021-22, a total of 49 EcoAction projects were funded
# of Projects north of 50°N (EcoAction Program)	1 EcoAction projects or 2% of total projects are located in Northern Canada	ECCC’s program indicator data source	In 2021-22, a total of 49 EcoAction projects were funded
# of Projects aimed at developing knowledge, tools or skills that engage communities in climate action. (Environmental Damages Fund Program)	58 projects	ECCC’s program indicator data source	These ongoing projects will develop knowledge, tools and/or skills that engage communities in climate action. Community-based climate action projects should help to support Canada’s goals for climate action, such as net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Communities may be those within a specific geography (e.g., a neighbourhood, or groups with shared characteristics, such as common demographics, values, beliefs, or behaviours).

Key Impacts: Other

• In general, the EcoAction Community Funding Program and the Environmental Damages Fund aim to have a positive impact on the lives and natural environment of Canadians and their communities, by providing funding for community-based projects that benefit the environment. The programs strive to reach many Canadians to promote actions that benefit the environment, engage communities and build capacity in those communities. Evaluation criteria for the programs include environmental benefits and needs, technical solutions and community engagement. Consistent assessment tools are used to review proposals from different applicant groups and regions. For EcoAction, once the proposals have been reviewed, funds are allocated on a priority basis to projects that engage youth, Indigenous peoples, or partner with small businesses. The programs’ eligible funding recipients may include not-for-profit environmental non-governmental organizations, community groups, youth and students groups, universities and academic institutions, and Indigenous organizations. For example:
  • Through the Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF), funded in large part by the EDF, 58 community-based climate action projects were funded in 2021 that will develop knowledge, tools and/or skills that engage communities in climate action. Community-based climate action projects help to support Canada’s goals for climate action, such as net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The types of support, outreach, and resources provided through Community-based climate action projects may include workshops, networking, training, virtual platforms, climate awareness activities – including those related to Indigenous Knowledge – and more. These activities should enable communities to take action on climate change. To date, CAAF has allocated over $151 million to 92 projects across the country.
  • Through the EcoAction Community Funding Program, a project called, “Community-Led Wetland Development in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside”, submitted by Environmental Youth Alliance Society, was provided funding to develop a wetland to improve water quality and climate resilience in Vancouver, British Columbia, by engaging Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) youth and the community with educational and hands-on activities. The project expects to engage up to 700 youth in project activities.
• Communications to the public (i.e., calls for proposals and general program information) are available publically on ECCC websites and via social media in both official languages to ensure ease of access by interested applicants. It is possible that individuals who do not speak English or French will find it challenging to understand information on federal programming. Demographic groups who have difficulties accessing the various methods of engagement offered publicly by ECCC (e.g., difficulties with Internet access for remote communities, language barriers, low-income families without Internet access), may be inadequately serviced. During intake periods, staff were available to answer public inquiries and provide advice on proposal development to groups, including those that are under-represented or have less capacity or experience in applying for funding.
• Concrete actions were taken to recognize various cultures and languages through the engagement of Indigenous communities and Official Language Minority Communities to build awareness of funding opportunities. These included:
  • ensuring different subgroups of the population were aware of funding opportunities by conducting outreach via email to individual Indigenous groups;
  • using a linguistic lens when answering inquiries and evaluating proposals that involve Official Language Minority Communities;
  • providing program material in both official languages;
  • funding projects in communities negatively impacted by climate risks (e.g., coastal, northern communities);
  • including members of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and regions in the review process; and,
  • promoting culturally sensitive sessions and training to staff who answer inquiries, review proposals, and work with recipients.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The EcoAction Community Funding Program collects data related to applications submitted by, or funds allocated to, Indigenous organizations. Additionally, all applicants are encouraged to identify in their application if the project will engage one or more of Program Priority Groups: Indigenous peoples, Youth and Small Businesses. Statistics for applications submitted by Indigenous Organizations and applications that will engage Indigenous peoples are collected annually. In 2021-2022, Funding Programs put together a Program Working group that worked with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise to identify methods to generate crucial information and better results for the range of needs, priorities, capacities, experiences, interests and views of differently situated communities and group in Canada. The EcoAction Community Funding Program is working to facilitate the inclusion of GBA Plus factors in order to gather intersectional information that will help identify barriers and impacts of the program related to underrepresented populations. The following GBA Plus related questions have been added to the 2022-2023 application:

1. Is there a knowledge transfer component to your project? If yes, how is knowledge created (Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, engagement, etc.) and how is it disseminated to the impacted groups in the community?
2. Will materials be produced in a language other than French or English? If yes, please identify the language(s) of materials produced (not including French or English).
3. Is there an opportunity for involvement, engagement or participation of persons with disabilities in your project? Please elaborate on your answer.

As listed above, the EcoAction Community Funding Program has added additional questions to the application to begin collecting data related to GBA Plus factors. Continued work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise will guide the EcoAction program to ensure gaps and limitations continue to be addressed.

The GBA Plus question related to knowledge transfer was added in 2022-2023, as it can be useful from a GBA Plus perspective in helping to advance our understanding of groups, data gaps, and how to address these gaps.

Quantitative data related to the EcoAction Community Funding Program will be collected through the application form. Additionally, EcoAction has taken into consideration its accessibility to potential recipients. While the submission of an online application is strongly encouraged throughout EcoAction Call for Proposals products, a paper application can be made available to applicants requiring an alternative submission process.

A total of 31 Environmental Damages Fund projects were approved in 2021-22 through EDF and CAAF; the EDF approved 1 project to an Indigenous organization for a total value of $765,483.

Program: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Pollution

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

Compliance Promotion Officers tailor compliance promotion material based on the characterization and analysis of the needs, and known compliance barriers of the instrument’s target audience. Material may be tailored based on a number of demographic profiles, including linguistic preferences, average level of education, or geographic distribution of a regulated community. For example, communications material is distributed in a number of languages for the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations, as the demographics of the target audience show a significant portion of the regulated community with maternal languages other than English or French.

For the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, a simplified factsheet was written for members of the regulated community who do not have the scientific background and may have difficulty interpreting information pertaining to toxic substances controlled by the instrument.

For the PCB Regulations, a targeted campaign was sent in 2021 to independent power utilities, which are often located in rural or remote locations, including northern communities. This audience was prioritized for a reminder campaign because they may face additional levels of complexity when it comes to scheduling power grid shutdowns necessary to replace electrical equipment, and arranging for transportation and destruction of retired equipment.

Compliance Promotion Officers engage with regulated communities in order to understand their needs through a variety of mechanisms. These include site visits, formal target audience surveys, voluntary feedback forms, and one-on-one discussions at compliance promotion workshops, events, and tradeshows.

• Furthermore, Compliance Promotion Officers deliver compliance promotion activities in various Indigenous communities in a manner and with material that is tailored to the context and needs of the community, for example, through in-person visits. Work is ongoing to identify compliance promotion needs within targeted communities, and to develop pertinent and culturally relevant material.
• Enforcement continues to adapt its hiring practices, including through the refinement of its hiring tools, to ensure its workforce is more representative. Additional training was provided regarding Treaty rights and the unique legal status and rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada to facilitate better engagement initiatives. Enforcement officers will continue to adapt their engagement approaches when conducting enforcement activities with diverse communities, including through the use of translators, as an example.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Enforcement Branch collected data on the type, outcomes, and location of its enforcement activities. This information can be overlaid with geographically based data from other sources, including demographic and socio-economic indicators such as income level and the relative presence of equity seeking groups, where available. Additionally, enforcement data can be compared with information concerning the environmental quality in specific places (e.g. air quality, water quality). These comparisons can enable, for example, how often communities with poor environmental quality are monitored for compliance (where ECCC’s mandate applies). This allows for analysis to determine if there are correlations between the volume and type of enforcement activity and several GBA PLUS indicators. It is not sufficient to determine causality, but can be used to direct qualitative research to gain insight into the underlying factors or considerations. This data has been used, preliminarily, to identify correlations between the rate of non-compliance and gender and income levels. Initial work was also completed to determine the correlation between inspection locations and environmental quality information, largely obtained from ECCC’s National Pollution Release Inventory.

The Enforcement Branch will conduct additional analysis to verify where correlations between non-compliance detection rates and gender, income levels, equity seeking groups, and environmental quality exist. This analysis will be supplemented with additional work to determine where correlations exist between the above indicators and absolute inspection and investigation numbers. Where correlations are identified, additional qualitative research will be conducted to better understand why they exist. Where correlations are determined to be inconsistent with ECCC’s Compliance and Enforcement policies, the Enforcement Branch will redirect inspections as required.

Program: Substances and Waste Management

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

• Although the Substances and Waste Management Program benefits all Canadians, certain populations in Canada, such as expectant mothers, children, the elderly, the economically disadvantaged and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to harmful substances, and benefit most from sound risk assessment and management.
• The Chemicals Management Program (CMP) used scientific information to empirically assess the risks posed for vulnerable groups from exposure to toxic chemicals and products that contain them. Scientific information was also used to inform decisions and risk management.
• Through Canadian Environmental Protection Act and CMP renewal efforts, research and investigations into GBA Plus and other priority areas such as Indigenous and Youth engagement opportunities were reviewed to aid in identifying gap areas to be addressed in future work.
• Engagement activities under the pandemic were limited to virtual meetings and electronic communications with engaged stakeholders.

Supplementary Information Sources: There are multiple sources of scientific information used to assess the risks posed for vulnerable groups. One such example is the screening assessment for Talc (linked here), which characterizes the risk of exposure on various occupational groups and analyzes the impacts of its different properties on these occupational groups.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

ECCC does not collect data on the impact posed to humans by chemicals and other substances in the environment. This is the mandate of our partner department and will be more appropriately reported in the Departmental Results Report of Health Canada.

Program: Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

• In general, the Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships (WQEP) Program is expected to affect Canadians positively by providing cleaner freshwater for drinking, fishing, swimming and other uses, and healthier freshwater ecosystems.
• Certain elements of the Program positively affected Indigenous peoples—particularly, Indigenous women, who are often the principal water caretakers, protectors, and knowledge keepers for their communities. Specific targeted activities under this Program sought to improve the technical capacity and engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations, individuals and communities. These activities aimed to address Indigenous peoples’ particular concerns regarding freshwater ecosystems; to include Indigenous representation at key decision-making tables, where appropriate; and to build capacity in understanding and addressing freshwater issues, especially those that have implications in Indigenous communities.
• Ecosystem-specific Key Impacts
  • Great Lakes: In 2021-22, the Great Lakes Protection Initiative funded projects that built capacity in understanding and addressing Great Lakes issues, including issues of importance to Indigenous communities. Funding was provided to support three new and four multi-year capacity-building projects in Indigenous communities, as well as two capacity-building projects in regional Indigenous organizations. Through ongoing efforts related to lake-wide management and Areas of Concern, ECCC continued to engage with First Nations and Métis communities across the Great Lakes basin in taking action and decision-making. Indigenous Peoples continued to participate in Great Lakes governance including on the Great Lakes Executive Committee, pursuant to the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; annual meetings between Canada-Ontario Agreement on the Great Lakes (COA) Executive Committee Co-Chairs and First Nations and Métis; and, the annual meeting of the COA Executive Committee.
  • Lake Winnipeg: In 2021-22, ECCC’s Lake Winnipeg Basin Program provided funding to support Indigenous governments and peoples in efforts to reduce nutrient loading in the Lake Winnipeg Basin through Indigenous-led projects such as community-based monitoring and projects that gather and use Indigenous Knowledge to enhance the understanding of the ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg and its basin.
  • St. Lawrence: In 2021-22, the St. Lawrence Action Plan continued to support projects that foster education and raise awareness of best practices among Indigenous peoples and communities to preserve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. For example, an ongoing project in the watershed engaged youth in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake through activities that recognize the traditional Kanien’kéhâ: ka knowledge and through scientific samplings of territorial rivers and scientific analysis of the aquatic ecosystem.
  • Atlantic Ecosystem Initiatives: In 2021-2022, through the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives, projects were supported in the Wolastoq/Saint John River and Southern Gulf of the St. Lawrence watersheds that build capacity to understand and address freshwater issues, including those that have implications in Indigenous communities. For example, Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives supported a project led by the St. John River Society that integrated Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, values, visions, data, and experience into an environmental basin flows framework for the Wolastoq/Saint John River. This innovative project contributed to international (Canada – U.S.) environmental basin flow work, and is only one of a few examples of successful integration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives in basin flow management.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• St. Lawrence Action Plan
• St. Lawrence Action Plan - Community Interaction Program
• St. Lawrence Action Plan - ZIP Program
• Lake Winnipeg Basin Program link to G&C funded projects
• Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives 2021-2022 funded projects in Nova Scotia
• Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives 2021-2022 funded projects in New Brunswick

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

A direct outcome of the WQEP Program Logic Model is the “alignment and integration among countries, various levels of government and Indigenous peoples working to protect, conserve and restore priority ecosystems.” The outcome is important as no jurisdiction or individual has singular authority over water quality in the entirety of the Lake Winnipeg basin which means that collaborative effort at all levels is required to improve water quality in the basin.

One of the goals of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) is to increase nutrient reducing actions collaboratively among stakeholders in the basin, as well as enhance Indigenous capacity and engagement in efforts that restore and protect Lake Winnipeg water quality. Under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program, ECCC is working to enhance Indigenous capacity and engagement through G&C funding.

The LWBP tracks two indicators related to this direct outcome: the number of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities engaged in efforts that restore and protect Lake Winnipeg water quality, and the average number of partnerships per project created through LWBP funded projects.

The Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives (AEI) prioritizes projects that develop partnerships and result in collaborative action. Applicants in the 2021-2022 Call for Proposals were asked to provide details of their proposed partnerships, and how the project would create meaningful and effective collaboration(s). The involvement of Indigenous peoples, youth, and/or small businesses in projects was taken into account during the evaluation of the proposed projects. For example, applicants were asked if their project will include Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. However, the collection of GBA plus data was not requested or conducted, and thus not available for reporting for the duration of the approved projects.

Core Responsibility: Conserving Nature

Program: Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

• ECCC continued to engage with domestic and international governments, Indigenous peoples, non-government organizations, businesses and Canadians on Canada’s biodiversity commitments. The conservation and protection of biodiversity is necessary for maintaining strong ecosystems, which in turn, deliver important and diverse ecosystem services to Canadians. For example, healthy ecosystems can filter toxic substances from air, water, and soil, protect people against flooding, storm surges, and erosion, sequester carbon, maintain the water cycle, and help stabilize local climates.
• To increase capacity to conserve biodiversity in Canada, the Program continued to develop; review, and share Canadian positions and policy frameworks, provided targeted funding, conducted research, and maintained and shared biodiversity data and information.
• In the case of Indigenous peoples, ECCC administers a survey that tracked the percentage of Indigenous peoples who engaged with ECCC in conservation and indicated that such engagement was meaningful. For 2021-22, 70% of survey respondents described this engagement as meaningful.
• ECCC provides some financial capacity to support national Indigenous representatives in Canada to prepare for and participate in international negotiations related to biodiversity and conservation.

Supplementary Information Sources: While it is not a means of analyzing the GBA Plus impact of the program, information from Statistics Canada’s Household and the Environment Survey provides context on individuals and organizations engaged in conservation activities and the extent to which they are representative of the Canadian population.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

To report on the Departmental Results Framework, ECCC administers an annual survey to Indigenous peoples that ECCC has engaged on conservation to determine whether the engagement was considered to be meaningful. The survey results enable the Department to track progress on the Departmental Result, “Indigenous peoples are engaged in conservation,” and provides critical information to guide engagement planning under the Conserving Nature core responsibility and by the Department, more generally.

The department currently lacks indicators specific to the Biodiversity Policy Program’s impacts that can be disaggregated by gender or socio-economic factors, and is working to fill this data gap. Given its focus on policy, the impacts of Program activities on Canadians are often indirect and difficult to separate from the impacts of other actors (municipal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, non-profit) who are working towards similar goals. It is not expected that the Program has particular regional impacts, given the focus is on national and international policy.

Program: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

ECCC is aware that certain instruments under the Acts it is responsible for enforcing may present more challenges to compliance for specific groups, such as visible minorities, linguistic groups, and/or Indigenous peoples. The various compliance promotion strategies utilized need to respond to these challenges. Key initiatives include:

• Through a group of officers who meet regularly with Indigenous representatives such as in wildlife co-management committees, ECCC continues to build and promote mutual understanding and partnership.
• ECCC successfully implemented a service agreement for a Quebec Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (QC-CEGEP) to develop a collegial training program adapted to Indigenous students’ unique realities, culture and history. The Program will continue to address the special considerations required to meet GBA Plus requirements through policy analysis and the development of service agreements with the relevant groups.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• Compliance and enforcement policy for wildlife legislation - Canada.ca

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Enforcement Branch collected data on the type, outcomes, and location of its enforcement activities. This information can be overlaid with geographically based data from other sources, including demographic and socio-economic indicators such as income level and the relative presence of equity seeking groups, where available. This allows for analysis to determine if there are correlations between the volume and type of enforcement activity and several GBA PLUS indicators. It is not sufficient to determine causality, but can be used to direct qualitative research to gain insight into the underlying factors or considerations. This data has been used, preliminarily, to identify correlations between the rate of non-compliance that is detected by officers and gender and income levels.

The Enforcement Branch will conduct additional analysis to verify where correlations between non-compliance detection rates and gender, income levels, and equity seeking groups exist. This analysis will be supplemented with additional work to determine where correlations exist between the above indicators and absolute inspection and investigation numbers. Where correlations are identified, additional qualitative research will be conducted to better understand why they exist. Where correlations are determined to be inconsistent with ECCC’s Compliance and Enforcement policies, the Enforcement Branch will redirect inspections as required.

Program: Environmental Assessment

Target Population: All Canadians

Key Impacts: Other

• Resource development affects the environment and can have economic, social and health consequences that are felt more heavily by some demographic groups. ECCC provided expert advice and knowledge to decision-makers for subjects within its mandate, such as water quality and biodiversity. This engagement helped to determine potential impacts of development to Canadians, including vulnerable populations.
• To increase capacity to conserve biodiversity in Canada, the Program continued to develop a policy framework for the assessment of the effects to species at risk, wetlands and migratory birds.
• In the case of Indigenous peoples, the EA/IA program works with other federal departments to ensure that FN Rights are addressed.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: Nothing to report for 2021-22.

Program: Habitat Conservation and Protection

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

• The core outcome of the Habitat Conservation and Protection Program is the protection of important wildlife habitat through the regulation, purchase or donation of land and water for conservation purposes. Impacts and benefits would accrue to different demographics throughout the process of achieving this outcome. A breakdown from each core initiative is below:
  • The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation (CWHC) Stamp initiative enabled the Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) to manage the funding of 29 projects ($1.6M) in 2020-21 that supported waterfowl and other migratory birds and wildlife, conserved or restored 23,467 acres of wetland and upload habitat across Canada, and engaged over 23,000 Canadians in conservation and stewardship activities. The conservation and protection of wetlands funded through the sale of the CWHC Stamp is anticipated to improve the environment for Canadians.
  • The Ecological Gifts Program component provided tax incentives to landowners who donated property to eligible governments or charities. These tax benefits are predominantly located in peri-urban and rural communities and held by non-Indigenous families of retirement age.
  • The North American Waterfowl Management Plan component provided contribution agreement funding for waterfowl conservation based on international planning efforts involving partners in Canada, United States of America, and Mexico. The funds are used by ECCC partners for a variety of habitat securement and improvement activities, which lead to increases in the populations of waterfowl and key waterfowl habitat. The environmental outcomes, which include increased waterfowl populations and associated habitats, largely benefit hunters, rural and Indigenous communities.
  • The Target 1 Challenge and the Natural Heritage Conservation Programs are a part of the Canada’s Nature Legacy initiative. They supported the efforts of partners to protect and conserve spaces of ecological and biodiverse importance in Canada. Partners come from a variety of demographic backgrounds including those from rural or remote populations and Indigenous peoples. Indigenous reconciliation is a priority of the work being done as a part of the Nature Legacy.
  • The governance for the Indigenous Guardians program was developed using an individual approach co-designed, co-developed, and co-delivered with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. This component largely benefits Indigenous peoples in Canada. It supports Indigenous groups in exercising their rights and responsibilities to the land, waters, and ice of their traditional territories through on-the-ground and community-based stewardship initiatives.
• While the processes of land, water securement, and protection tend to involve and favour specific groups of Canadians (landowners, governments, non-government organizations), the long-term ecosystem services (such as climate regulation, erosion control, tourism and recreation, education, knowledge systems and cultural heritage) gained by conserving ecosystems and landscapes are most often to the benefit of lower-income, rural and Indigenous communities.
  • GBA Plus assessments were conducted in 2020-2021 for the Enhanced Nature Legacy Treasury Board Submission. The assessments concluded that Canadians of all genders broadly benefit from nature conservation, and that Canadians broadly support nature conservation. The implementation approach will:
    • Encourage and facilitate the creation of new protected and conserved areas across Canada, including in urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
    • Continue to implement planning guidelines and consultation processes.
    • Encourage equal participation of diverse populations when consulting with different Canadians.
    • Actively consider gender and other equity factors when establishing and implementing key governance and decision-making mechanisms.
    • Design engagement and outreach activities to increase opportunities and reduce barriers to participation in conservation activities for all.
    • Make nature more accessible for Canadians and encourage—where possible—inclusive design of natural public spaces and infrastructure.
    • Leverage new and existing partnerships with Indigenous peoples.
    • Work with representatives of Indigenous peoples in planning and implementing conservation initiatives.
    • Support the transfer and nurturing of Indigenous knowledge.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

• Departments are working on developing a Quality of Life (QOL) indicator relating to access to nature, building on the whole of government work on QOL indicators. This indicator will likely build on Statistics Canada’s research on proximity to, and use of, parks and public green spaces from the 2017 Households and the Environment Survey.
• A GBA Plus data collection and reporting plan has been developed as part of the Natural Climate Solutions Fund (NCSF) Treasury Board Submission. ECCC-HCP will contribute to this plan as a supporting partner and lead on the Nature-Smart Climate Solutions (NSCS) stream. NSCS will require large and medium-sized organizations funded by NSCS to report on the development of Diversity and Inclusion Plans that support the inclusion of underrepresented groups in NSCS activities. This will be required after consultation with recipients in year 1 of the initiative, starting with funding recipients with more than 50 employees. This requirement will be voluntary for small organizations such as community-based groups since these organizations may find the requirement for a Diversity and Inclusion Plan overly burdensome. Indigenous organizations and communities may also be excluded from this requirement. ECCC will also collect information on the number of Indigenous-led projects through NSCS to support GBA Plus.

Program: Migratory Birds and other Wildlife

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

• ECCC is responsible for implementing the Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife Program and the Minister of the ECCC provides advice to the Governor in Council with respect to migratory birds and other wildlife. Such advice is based on science, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and on consultations with affected parties for expected socio-economic impacts.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: Statistics Canada continues to be the main source for data pertaining to the initial assessment. Branch and Department HR and economic information is the source for data to support an ongoing analysis. Further, the Program collects data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity, as outlined below.

• ECCC Canada Nature Fund contribution agreements under the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative will require large and medium-sized recipients of G&Cs funding to have Diversity and Inclusion Plans. The requirement may be voluntary for small organizations as they may find the requirement for a Diversity and Inclusion Plan overly burdensome. Indigenous organizations and communities may also be excluded from this requirement. G&Cs programs will collect data on GBA Plus considerations to assess the effectiveness of Diversity and Inclusion Plans and improve understanding of worker diversity and the associated workforce where possible.

Specifically, this would require collection and reporting of information by medium and large-sized organization funding recipients on the number of under-represented groups, such as women, immigrants, people with disabilities, and visible minorities, in the workforce supported by G&Cs funding, as well as a breakdown of jobs created in urban and rural/remote areas to the extent practicable. Contribution agreements will also, to the extent practicable, require reporting of whether funding recipients have: 1) provided training targeting under-represented groups for career development; and 2) been involved in activities to promote workforce diversity. [Funding departments will also collect information on the number of Indigenous-led projects through G&Cs funding to support GBA Plus analysis.] Departments will only collect aggregate information and anticipate no privacy issues.

Program: Species at Risk

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

• Preserving biodiversity is necessary for maintaining strong ecosystems, which in turn, deliver important and diverse ecosystem services to Canadians. The performance indicators measured in the Species at Risk (SAR) Program reflect not only the ability to protect species at risk, but also examine, to some extent, how the Program might affect, either directly or indirectly, GBA Plus demographic groups. For example, one indicator measures how recovery actions for Species at Risk are being implemented by partners, and another measures specifically the Indigenous partners receiving project funding to support Species at Risk protection. The SAR Program will continue to consider ways that issues concerning SAR – including private landowners, industry, and other orders of government, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous peoples, may also affect other groups.
• In 2021-22, the Program had direct effects on Indigenous peoples; given that Indigenous reserves and lands often provide important refuge for species at risk. Canada’s Indigenous peoples are also the holders of Indigenous Knowledge essential to achieving the protection and recovery goals for many species. Additionally, the Program consults with Indigenous peoples to ascertain impacts to Aboriginal and treaty rights. CWS administers a survey for the indicator “the percentage of Indigenous peoples engaged with ECCC [in conservation] who indicate that the engagement was meaningful”. This allows assessment of ECCC’s engagement efforts with Indigenous peoples, including those involved with Canada’s Nature Fund and implementation of the Species at Risk Act. This indicator is however not specific to SARA program activities, rather it is an important Departmental Results Indicator for ECCC. Ecosystem-based and multi-species conservation approaches will aim to reduce these effects, as well as improve coordination improvements among federal departments and provincial/territorial governments.
• A GBA Plus analysis was undertaken as part of the Enhanced Nature Legacy Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board submission, which also considered species at risk.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: Nothing to report for 2021-22

Core Responsibility: Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions

Program: Hydrological Services

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

Natural disasters in Canada, including water-related disasters such as floods and droughts, have significant impacts on Canadians’ health, safety, property and finances, and their social well-being. Citizens who lack sufficient social infrastructure and support, or those who were vulnerable prior to the event (such as citizens with pre-existing health conditions, or from lower-income communities), may have a higher risk profile for natural disasters. For example, citizens living near a body of water or within a floodplain are at a higher risk of experiencing impacts related to flooding. As such, hydrometric data and information are essential for provincial and territorial flood forecasting agencies and emergency management organizations (EMOs) who are responsible to prepare and respond to floods in order to protect property and save lives.

• External organizations can use hydrometric data, in combination with socio-economic, data to identify potential impacts of water hazards on vulnerable groups and to implement mitigation measures accordingly. For example, in the case of flooding, hydrometric data can provide the foundation for the development of flood maps which, when combined with geo-referenced socio-economic data (such as household income, age and sex), can be used to generate detailed risk assessments to prioritize actions that target the most at-risk groups.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• Hydrology of Canada - Canada.ca
• Real-Time Hydrometric Data - Water Level and Flow - Environment Canada (ec.gc.ca)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: Nothing to report for 2021-22.

Program: Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • third group: no significant distributional impacts
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Other

• Canadians, and especially people living in northern and rural areas, are dependent on weather forecasts, warnings and expert advice to safely plan their daily activities. For example, persons in these rural and remote areas rely on weather services that are essential to transportation activities in order to reach isolated areas in the North where there are significant infrastructure gaps, including no permanent (or ‘all-weather’) roads. As a result, alternative methods of transportation are used that are enabled by weather and environmental services. These include the use of seasonal winter roads on top of ice cover, and the transportation of essential goods (e.g. food) through air travel. During shoulder seasons (i.e. fall and spring periods), where there is less certainty in ground conditions, there exists a heightened risk of accidents, which itself is rising (e.g. doubled over the past decade in Nunavut). Weather and sea-ice climate information contribute to mitigating these risks by equipping communities, individuals, and first responders with accurate information to support the planning of their activities. Canadians and other stakeholders rely on ECCC for authoritative information on weather, water quantity, climate, marine, ice and air quality. Weather warnings provide information that can assist vulnerable Canadians, such as the elderly, children, or those with certain chronic illnesses or their caretakers, to make informed decisions in weather scenarios that may pose increased risks to these populations (e.g., extreme heat, extreme cold). This also applies to information that might be used to support other populations such as homeless people (i.e., extreme cold responses). An important aspect of these warnings is determining how best to communicate with all Canadians, especially those who are most vulnerable.
• Recognizing the different needs of Canadians, ECCC provided weather and environmental information through a wide range of dissemination platforms including the weather.gc.ca website, the WeatherCAN mobile application, Weatheradio, webinars, data offerings, tailored weather products focusing on potential impacts of a weather situation, and stakeholder engagement. ECCC also improved the accessibility and documentation of its weather and environmental datasets and products through the ECCC Datamart and GeoMetRelying on a variety of dissemination channels, and implementing regular improvements, allows ECCC to reach a variety of Canadians to provide vital information about weather and environmental condition as well as to communicate risk of impending hazardous weather.

Supplementary Information Sources:

• Canada : Quarterly bulletins: climate impacts and outlook - Canada.ca
• USA: Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for Alaska and Northwestern Canada - June 2021 | Drought.gov
• MSC Datamart /Datamart du SMC - MSC Open Data / Données ouvertes du SMC (eccc-msc.github.io)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - Weather and Meteorology - GeoMet Geospatial Web Services

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

ECCC will explore the development of a GBA Plus Data Collection Plan for existing weather services programs, and a GBA Plus Data Collection Plan will be established for future new services, where possible.

Internal Services

Target Population: N/A

Distribution of Benefits:

• by gender:
  • third group: broadly gender-balanced
• by income level:
  • fourth group: somewhat benefits high income individuals
• by age group:
  • second group: no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Key Impacts: Statistics	Observed Results	Data Source	Comment
Gender representation at ECCC.	Women are slightly overrepresented at ECCC at 52%.	Internal Administrative Data	N/A

Key Impacts: Other

Evaluation

• ECCC continues to be committed to integrate GBA Plus in evaluation. Six evaluations were completed in 2021-2022 and included findings and recommendations related to GBA Plus. For example, the Evaluation of the Weather observations, forecasts, and warnings found that the Program aligns with federal roles and responsibilities, as well as federal priorities related to climate change, economic growth and prosperity, science and innovation, and open and transparent government. Increased focus on services for vulnerable populations could improve alignment with the federal government’s GBA Plus objectives. This includes, but is not limited to remote, Northern and some Indigenous communities, who are affected by climate change. The report made a recommendation to enhance efforts to identify the needs of, and improve services and supports for, vulnerable and diverse populations.

Procurement

• In its role as an enabler in the delivery of services by program branches, ECCC continued to integrate GBA Plus considerations in procurement practices with the intent to make procurement inclusive by design and accessible by default. Moreover, accessibility considerations are required in procurement for the procurement of goods, services and facilities. In addition, ECCC is still participating on inter-departmental working group committees that addresses the topic of social procurement. A pilot conducted by PSPC on the integration of social procurement considerations as part of procurement processes is ongoing. ECCC and other client departments are following progress on the pilot with a view towards greater integration into ECCC procurement practices when methodologies are clearly established by central agency leads.

Workplace adaptation

• ECCC continued to include a GBA Plus component in the consideration of project investment in IM/IT. Digital tools, primarily remote work and the use of GCworkplace, were deployed to enhance inclusion and meet the needs of all employees. In addition, the Department continued to encourageflexible work arrangements for employees to ensure that family situations and family roles are considered, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To enhance inclusion, workplace solutions such as GCworkplace has been completed in Montreal. Other projects are underway and in progress in Winnipeg, Calgary and Toronto. The GCworkplace vision was formed and oriented towards the following seven dimensions: flexible, digital, efficient, green, inclusive, collaborative and healthy.
• Implementation of touchless door buttons, touchless water and soap dispensers. Some locations completed and ongoing across Canada.
• There are also considerations for gender neutral bathrooms as part of new projects and one implemented as part of the Winnipeg project.
• ECCC implemented a single-window approach for accessibility requests, to facilitate and expedite getting the measures needed for staff with disabilities/accommodation requirements.
• The “Booking Assistant” feature has been in the Return to the Workplace application, allowing the submission of a request on behalf of another user who is unable to do so themselves.

Human Resources

• Diversity, Inclusion, and Employment Equity (DIEE) remained a critical departmental and government-wide priority and is seeking for greater inclusion and for ECCC to be representative of the overall Canadian population. The Department continued to contribute to a leadership culture that promotes and builds a healthy, harassment-free, accessible, respectful and supportive work environment and used tools and resources to support the mainstreaming of GBA Plus in all ECCC activities and to build a culture of inclusiveness.
• In June 2021, ECCC launched a renewed Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy for 2021-2024.
• A comprehensive DIEE governance structure was reviewed and modernized in FY 2021/2022, with semi-annual deputy-minister chaired Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council meetings, and quarterly DIEE Working Group meetings taking place throughout the year involving network and branch representatives. In FY 2021/2022, a departmental Branch Taskforce on Diversity and Inclusion was also created.
• On a quarterly basis, Branch Heads received their employment equity gaps report and were asked to take action via their HR planning process.
• A departmental diversity and inclusion fund remained in place, and supported a number of network and departmental DIEE-related initiatives.
• Regular communication and awareness of DIEE activities and events took place throughout the fiscal year.

Supplementary Information Sources: N/A

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Human Resources

Human Resources collects various demographic information on employees that are sensitive and protected. Some notable actions are being taken to develop data collection for 2020-21 such as:

• Consultations with all diversity, inclusion and employment equity networks will be used to collect qualitative information on the various challenges faced by these groups of individuals.
• A self-identification Awareness Campaign helped the department identify changes in policies, practices and systems aimed at achieving fairness and equity in employment. All self-identification information will be used for statistical purposes, in compiling workforce representation figures for the Department and to report to Parliament on employment equity in the Public Service.

Various barriers were linked to data collection such as the protection by the Code of Confidentiality, access to technology access and timing related to the COVID-19 situation.