2022-2023 Departmental Results Report: Gender-based analysis plus

2022-2023 Departmental Results Report
Gender-based analysis plus

From: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

ECCC is pursuing a mainstreaming approach to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus), meaning that all analysts have a responsibility to apply GBA Plus to their work as appropriate. To support the integration of GBA Plus in all aspects of our work overtime, the Department has a GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (CoE) which 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 the Strategic Policy Directorate oversees the operation of the CoE. In 2022-23, the CoE provided support to the Department, including:

Developing tools and guidance to facilitate GBA Plus in support of 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 such as 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.
Liaising with the Department of Women and Gender Equality and collaborating with GBA Plus leads in other government departments.

Capacity

In 2022-23, the CoE aimed to better understand, identify, and address departmental needs and gaps to GBA Plus implementation in the Department. To enhance GBA Plus capacity throughout the Department, efforts focused on strengthening and engaging the GBA Plus Branch Advisory Network, which consists of representatives from the branches who support GBA Plus. Engagement with the network focused on facilitating the sharing of information, best practices, and resources.

Broader departmental support was provided through information sessions, including to the GBA Pus Community of Practice, a forum open to all ECCC staff that seeks to improve understanding and knowledge on GBA Plus.

Targeted advice, support and guidance was provided by the CoE to various departmental groups applying GBA Plus to their work.

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Program name: Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation

Program goals: Work to reduce Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, drive clean growth and develop regulatory instruments.ECCC will advance Indigenous climate leadership; anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative.

Target population:

All Canadians; Indigenous peoples; variety of gender, income, and age.

Specific demographic group outcomes

n/a

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

ECCC will advance Indigenous climate leadership, a commitment under the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy, under the recapitalized Low Carbon Economy Fund’s Indigenous Leadership Fund by providing funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low carbon heating products led by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, and organizations. The Indigenous Leadership Fund will support the self-determined climate, social, and economic priorities of Indigenous peoples, taking a collaborative, distinctions-based approach to design and deliver programming, recognizing the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. In addition, a portion of the program targets unaffiliated Indigenous communities. Furthermore, under the recapitalized Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), ECCC will implement the Implementation Readiness Fund, which aims to remove barriers to low-carbon technology adoption and 2030 climate mitigation action. ECCC will collaborate with stakeholders, communities, and organizations through the Implementation Readiness Fund to facilitate stronger partnerships with stakeholders to grow an inclusive, clean, and prosperous future together. Individuals’ adaptive capacity to cope with or manage climate change impacts is directly impacted by access to economic and other resources, and research has established that low-income households will experience the most difficulty in adapting to climate change. The recapitalized Low Carbon Economy Fund Leadership Fund will provide the home heating oil transition funding envelope, which will be available to interested provinces and territories, and is expected to focus support on the regions in Canada with the greatest proportion of lower income households that use home heating oil.

Statistic	Observed results*	Data source	Comment
n/a	n/a	n/a	Results will be reported starting in FY 2023-24

*2022–23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

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 peoples tend to experience the effects of climate change disproportionately, while also having less power, influence, and resources to respond to 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 structural 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 and regulations 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 such as improving energy efficiency and making home heating more affordable for families, with a focus on lower-income households, 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 targets. 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.
The LCEF Challenge Fund is open to a variety of stakeholders, including Indigenous governments, businesses, communities, and organizations. Under the LCEF Challenge Fund, funding has been approved for Indigenous led projects that have either a direct or indirect positive outcome as a result of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
In addition, under the LCEF Challenge Fund, ECCC launched a dedicated merit-based project intake called the Partnership Stream for Indigenous led-projects, with up to $15 million in available funding over.

Supplementary information sources

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: 2SLGBTQQIA+; 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 name: Climate Change Adaptation

Program goals: The Government of Canada has committed to taking action to adapt to current and future climate impacts to help protect Canadians, build resilience, reduce costs, and ensure that society thrives in a changing climate. The Climate Change Adaptation Program coordinates action on the adaptation and climate resilience elements of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and Canada’s strengthened climate plan. This includes work with other federal departments, provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, other countries, and ongoing policy development. Included here is the climate science, modelling, and analysis to inform decision-making. The Canadian Centre for Climate Services was established in 2018 to improve access to foundational climate data, information, and support.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group outcomes

The program is intended to provide benefits to the Canadian population at large; however, Canada as a whole cannot be resilient if certain parts of society remain more vulnerable to climate impacts. As a result, the Strategy puts a priority on advancing equity through adaptation action, with particular focus groups that are disproportionately affected by climate change - including women, Indigenous peoples, seniors, youth, persons with disabilities and those from low-income households.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

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, including an Fall 2022 Memorandum to Cabinet and Spring 2023 Treasury Board Submission.

Supplementary information sources

National Adaptation Strategy (2023)
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

A GBA Plus lens was applied to the ongoing development of adaptation policy advice and related programs as a result of a November 2022 Off-cycle budget request and a June 2023 memorandum to cabinet.

Program name: International Environment and Climate Action

Program goals: ECCC continues to promote inclusivity, gender equality and the role of women in climate action around the world as part of its strong commitment to international leadership on clean growth and climate change.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	60 per cent - 79 per cent women
By income level	Somewhat benefits low-income individuals
By age group	Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations

Specific demographic group outcomes

Individuals in other (low and middle income) countries may benefit directly and indirectly from Canada’s climate finance funding. Canada’s international engagement on climate change, including its climate finance commitment to support climate action in for developing countries, serves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change for vulnerable populations, including women and girls, Indigenous peoples, and youth.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

It is well understood that Canada’s changing climate exacerbates existing challenges and health stressors for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Climate change also disproportionately impacts northern, rural, remote, and coastal communities, younger and older generations, people with health issues or disabilities, low-income groups, women, and those at the intersection of these identities. ECCC will continue to consider the impacts of its climate change policies and programs in order to avoid, as much as possible, further negative impacts on affected populations, and will lead and coordinate a whole-of-government development of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, which included the publication of GBA Plus analytical results from the initial policy development phase. The Government will continue to conduct additional GBA Plus analysis for each policy and program to maximize positive benefits for those most impacted by the negative effects of climate change. Internationally, Canada’s engagement on climate change serves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change on those groups who bear a significant portion of the impacts of climate change in Canada (including women, Indigenous peoples, youth, etc.). The repercussion from droughts, floods, extreme weather events, and food and water insecurity have a greater and differentiated effect on these groups. To address these issues, Canada’s programming is specifically targeted at women, girls, youth, and Indigenous peoples by integrating GBA Plus considerations into climate change actions alongside developmental considerations, such as health.

Other key program impacts

Climate change affects all Canadians. However, individual experiences differ according to geographic location, gender, income level, ethnicity, and other socio-economic factors. For example, effects of climate change on large urban centers include amplified heat waves, whereas effects on Canadians who depend on agriculture in rural areas can experience loss of livelihood. Studies demonstrate that children, people with lower income, and Indigenous peoples tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, while also having less power, influence, and resources to respond to and manage these effects. In Canada, northern and coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change. 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. Budget 2019 notes that people living on First Nations reserves in Canada are 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.
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 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 power supply can reduce financial losses experienced by businesses as a result of outages, such as a restaurant that loses food inventory through spoilage.
Canada’s climate finance commitment is delivered in accordance with 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 that 80% of projects integrate gender equality considerations.
GBA Plus in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Process
Internationally, Canada advocates for the public participation of non-state actors in UNFCCC process negotiations sessions and other international fora, including subnational governments, Indigenous peoples, women, and girls in all their diversity, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, youth, marginalized groups, civil society, and businesses.
Canada also advocates for decision-making in international climate fora that incorporates ethical and equitable inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and recognizes and supports Indigenous climate leadership and advocates that gender equality be mainstreamed in multilateral climate institutions and for the inclusion of women as decision-makers in these processes.
As part of Canada’s climate finance envelope, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) provides funding to the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable and the Women’s Environment and Development Organization to improve inclusivity within the UNFCCC process and to deliver capacity-building workshops for women climate negotiators from developing countries.
ECCC frequently engages with stakeholders such as, youth, civil society, business, and labour, on key international climate negotiation issues and Canadian positions. This includes engagement with the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council (ECCYC), which is a ministerial council of ten young Canadians, selected for their environmental and climate leadership and with consideration for the diversity of youth from across Canada.
Canada prioritizes representative and inclusive delegations to UNFCCC process negotiations meetings.

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

For Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance program, 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 have established a performance management framework for the $5.3 billion climate finance commitment that includes indicators and targets at all levels of outcomes from the program’s logic model for the following key performance indicators: number of GHG emissions reduced, number of people with increased resilience to the effects of climate change and private finance mobilized. 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 and Managing Pollution

Program name: Air Quality

Program goals: The goal of the Air Quality Program is to conduct science, policy and mitigation activities that lead to the outcome of clean air for Canadians. The program continues to use GBA+ in the development of policy, programs, and actions to improve air quality for all Canadians and to examine how to reduce disparities amongst at-risk groups.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group outcomes

Although poor air quality can have detrimental health effects on all people, 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 only one risk factor.

Pregnant women, young people (where their respiratory systems have not yet fully developed), and Indigenous peoples and low-income Canadians, who may live downwind of large industrial complexes or near major transportation corridors (depending on region), are also at risk.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Statistic	Observed results*	Data source	Comment
1.46 million sensitive individuals reached by Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) 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.

Statistic

Observed results*

Data source

Comment

1.46 million sensitive individuals reached by Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) 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.

*2022–23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

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. 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 X (Twitter) accounts ranging from 121 to 406 per event. Special Air Quality Statements 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 X 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 X 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.

The Air Quality Program also plans to undertake an analysis, using existing data and tools, to develop a deeper understanding of how air pollution affects the various cohorts of Canadians.

Program name: Community Eco-Action

Program goals: The Community Eco-Action Program is a suite of initiatives aimed at increasing Canadians’ participation in activities to protect, conserve and restore the environment. The Eco-Action Community Funding Program encourages local action-focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate, or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future. The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) is a Specified Purpose Account for managing funds received in compensation for environmental damage. The purpose of directing compensation to the EDF (via court awards, fines, voluntary contributions) is to achieve restoration of damage to the natural environment and wildlife conservation. Funding to employers for youth internships through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy enables youth to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment in environmental fields or return to school. The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators bring together targets, information, and indicators to enable the consideration of sustainable development in decision-making of Canadians, the federal government and Parliament.

The EDF directs funds received from fines, court orders and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit Canada’s natural environment. The EDF is working to generate crucial information and better results about the range of needs, priorities, capacities, experiences, interests, and views of differently situated communities and groups in Canada. To facilitate this, GBA Plus questions have been added to the application form, and more will be developed. Details will be incorporated into reporting documents in order to gather intersectional information. Outcomes and impacts information gathered at the application and reporting stage will be assessed to factor in in program delivery. The EDF will continue to facilitate the inclusion of GBA Plus factors in program forms and reporting in order to gather intersectional information that will help identify barriers and impacts of the program related to underrepresented populations.

The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program supports youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market, particularly in environmental and clean technology sectors. The program includes specific support measures to help youth under-represented on the labor market in these sectors, especially young women, racialized youth, youth with disabilities, indigenous youth and 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth that face substantial barriers towards employment.

Target population: All Canadians, permanent resident youth (age 15-30)

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	EDF: n/a Science Horizons Youth Internship Program: Broadly gender-balanced
By income level	EDF: n/a Science Horizons Youth Internship Program: n/a
By age group	EDF: n/a Science Horizons Youth Internship Program: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations

Specific demographic group outcomes

The Science Horizons Program is targeted towards youth between the age groups of 15-30 who are recent university, college, and polytechnic graduates for internships in the environmental science, technology, engineering, and mathematics sectors. More specifically, the program also has targets in place to hire women, indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth. These youth face substantial barriers towards employment and skills training, and the Science Horizons Program provides the opportunity to acquire skills needed to be successful in high growth sectors such as the green economy.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics
Statistic	Observed results*	Data source	Comment
EDF
# of Projects aimed at developing knowledge, tools or skills that engage communities in climate action.	10 projects	ECCC’s program indicator data source	In 2022-23, 10 community-based climate action projects were funded. 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 neighborhood, or groups with shared characteristics, such as common demographics, values, beliefs, or behaviors).
Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
% of Indigenous youth hired	5%	Program Reporting Documents	n/a
% of racialized youth hired	24%	Program Reporting Documents	n/a
% of youth with disabilities hired	6.4%	Program Reporting Documents	n/a
% of women hired	52.25%	Program Reporting Documents	n/a

*2022–23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

In general, the Eco-Action Community Funding Program and the EDF 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 Eco-Action, 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, funded in large part by the EDF, 117 projects for a total of approximately $165 million have been approved so far and projects are ongoing. The following projects were approved in 2022-23:

10 community-based climate action projects 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.
24 advancing climate change science and technology projects will strengthen Canada’s science capacity to identify, accelerate, and evaluate mitigation actions towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
16 projects to support climate research at Canadian think tanks and in academia projects focus on identifying, accelerating, and evaluating climate mitigation solutions and strategies that will contribute to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.

Through the Eco-Action 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 publicly 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.

The Minister’s Sustainable Development Advisory Council (SDAC) was established under the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). Its mandate is to advise the Minister on any matter related to sustainable development, including matters referred to it by the Minister. Council activities include reviewing and commenting on drafts of the FSDS, and providing advice and recommendations to the Minister, upon request, on any matter related to sustainable development. The Council is comprised of 28 members: thirteen members represent the views of each of Canada’s provinces and territories, six representatives of Indigenous peoples (three positions open to the public, and three positions reserved for nominees from the three National Indigenous Organizations), and three representatives from each of the following: environmental non-governmental organizations, organizations representative of business; and organizations representative of labour. Council members represent their respective constituency’s interests, points of views and concerns at Council meetings. The membership of SDAC considers the requirements of the FSDA, and the Government of Canada’s desire to achieve gender parity and reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of linguistic, regional, and employment equity representation.

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

The Eco-Action Community Funding Program and EDF 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 2021-22, 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 Eco-Action Community Funding Program and EDF are 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 Eco-Action and/or EDF 2022-23 application:

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?
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).
Is there an opportunity for involvement, engagement, or participation of persons with disabilities in your project? Please elaborate on your answer.
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.

As listed above, the Eco-Action Community Funding Program and EDF have added additional questions to their respective applications to begin collecting data related to GBA Plus factors. Continued work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise will guide the programs to ensure gaps and limitations continue to be addressed.

The GBA Plus question related to knowledge transfer was added in 2022-23, 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 Eco-Action Community Funding Program and the EDF will be collected through the application forms. Additionally, Eco-Action and EDF have taken into consideration its accessibility to potential recipients. While the submission of an online application is strongly encouraged throughout Call for Proposals products, a paper application can be made available to applicants requiring an alternative submission process.

The Science Horizons Youth Internship program continues its commitment to help enable employment and skills training for youth furthest away from employment. For its new program delivery cycle for fiscal year 2023-24, the program has incorporated new and increased targets for delivery agents for equity seeking groups, specifically Indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth with disabilities, youth from an official language minority community, youth from rural, remote, and fly-in communities, 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth and women. Targets were informed by industry research and are proportionally representative to the size of the respective equity-seeking groups in Canada, with the goal of increasing participation and resources directed towards youth.

Program name: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Program goals: The objective of this Program is to minimize damage to the environment from pollution by actively promoting compliance with environmental laws, regulations and other instruments administered by ECCC and by applying a risk-based approach to enforcement.

Through a range of activities, including developing and disseminating information, training, and responding to enquiries, the Program engages individuals and organizations subject to the laws and regulations to promote awareness of, and compliance with legal requirements.

Inspections and intelligence contribute to the detection and identification of non-compliance which is then addressed by an array of enforcement measures ranging from warnings, tickets, and administrative monetary penalties, to orders to comply, and directions. For more serious offences, prosecution may be sought following the results of investigations, which may involve referrals to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Compliance is secured to protect air, water and land from harmful substances, and offenders are held accountable for their wrong-doing.

Target population: Regulated community with maternal languages other than English or French, school students, Indigenous communities etc.

Distribution of benefits

ECCC’s Enforcement Branch (EB) is aware that enforcement activities can have different impacts on different Canadian communities, including specific equity seeking groups, such as visible minorities, linguistic groups, and/or Indigenous peoples. EB collects data on the type, outcomes, and location of its enforcement activities, which is overlaid with geographically based data from other sources, including with respect to demographics and socio-economic indicators like income level and the relative presence of equity seeking groups, where available to monitor for potential bias.

Specific demographic group outcomes

The outcome is to increase the awareness of the regulated communities of their obligations to comply with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 and their risk management instruments.

Compliance promotion officers tailor compliance promotion material based on the target audience’s needs and known compliance barriers. 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.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

Communications material is distributed by Compliance Promotion officers 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.

In 2022-23, the Program has produced a Guide on Drafting Regulatory Messages to the Public, as well as training modules to support Compliance Promotion Officers in developing plain language messaging adapted to the target audience’s needs, and to ensure consistency in service delivery across regions.

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.

In 2022-23, a presentation regarding the Federal Halocarbon Regulations, 2022, was tailored for trade school students, and received positive feedback from the audience during delivery.

Furthermore, Compliance Promotion Officers deliver compliance promotion activities in various Indigenous communities in a way and with material that is tailored to the context and needs of the community, for example with an in-person visit. Work is ongoing to identify compliance promotion needs within targeted communities, and to develop relevant and culturally competent material.

In 2022-23, Compliance Promotion Officers collaborated with regional contacts at Indigenous Services Canada to increase understanding of barriers to compliance with respect to the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations for local Indigenous communities. In-person engagement was carried out with a number of Indigenous communities in the form of site-visits, resulting in increased compliance of their wastewater systems.

Tailored presentations about the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations were delivered by the Compliance Promotion Program at events geared to First Nations, with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding of the regulatory requirements.

GBA Plus data collection plan

EB will conduct additional analysis of census, geographical, and enforcement data to verify where correlations between non-compliance detection rates and gender, income levels, and equity seeking groups exist. 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 EB will review and modify its planning as required.

For example, in 2019 EB developed guidelines for Entry and Engagement on Indigenous Lands, where one of the objectives is to support Enforcement Branch’s ability to build and maintain relationships with Indigenous peoples. Since their development, the guidelines have supported staff by:

Raising awareness and respect for treaty and Aboriginal rights;
Increasing sensitivities to the unique cultural and legal context of regulatory enforcement on lands where Indigenous peoples manage or control access or where Indigenous peoples exercise Aboriginal or treaty rights; and
Providing contact information and resources to leverage existing branch and departmental knowledge.

Further, in FY 2022-2023, EB planned and developed a GBA PLUS analysis survey for distribution in FY 2023-2024. The survey will be completed by EB’s General Technician (GT) staff (Environment and Wildlife Enforcement Officers) to identify barriers and biases and develop an action plan to help address them.

Compliance promotion and enforcement activities contribute to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for all Canadians, including disproportionally impacted populations. In the future, EB will continue to engage provinces and territories and work with industry and other stakeholders through standard departmental regulatory processes to determine potential impacts to all Canadians, regardless of gender, race, or linguistic profile.

Program name: Substances and Waste Management

Program goals: The objective of this program is to reduce threats to the health of Canadians and their environment from harmful substances through mandatory and voluntary instruments including, regulations, research, monitoring, evaluation, reporting and education.

To protect the environment and Canadians from harmful substances and waste, ECCC continued to deliver Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) in collaboration with Health Canada. The CMP protects Canadians and the environment from harmful chemicals through a predictable, science-based regime. By bringing many existing federal programs and legislation under a single strategy, the CMP aims to reduce risks posed by chemicals by assessing and managing diverse chemicals and products, including foods, consumer products, cosmetics, pesticides, and drugs.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

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 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 the 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.

ECCC continued to explore ways to ensure that vulnerable groups are considered in substances and waste management work. In certain situations where the impact is on the industrial sector and there is no cost to vulnerable social groups, there were no specific GBA+ considerations (e.g., in 2022-23 for the Prohibition of the Manufacture and Importation of Wheel Weights Containing Lead Regulations). In other cases, the analysis results in special considerations in a risk management decision. An example is the Environmental Performance Agreement for the Formulation of Chlorhexidine Products, where a particular First Nation was identified as indirectly impacted due to proximity to a production facility; the resulting action is expected to be positive by implementation of an Agreement that would result in minimizing the releases of chlorhexidine moiety from industrial facilities to levels that are protective of the aquatic environment.

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 name: Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships

Program goals: The Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships Program aims to contribute to the integrated management of Canada’s priority ecosystems, including improving their water quality and restoring them to a healthy, productive, and sustainable state. Priority ecosystems include the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River system, Lake Winnipeg Basin, Other Major Basins (Fraser River, Mackenzie River, and Wolastoq/Saint John River), and other Regional Initiatives (Gulf of Maine, Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative, and Salish Sea Ecosystem). Key science activities include research on the effects of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems, and monitoring Canada’s freshwater and shellfish harvesting areas. The Program contributes coordination and oversight to ecosystem management, develops and shares science, and funds proposals that leverage contributions from other sources. It engages and supports coordinated effort among diverse stakeholders, including other levels of government and watershed governance bodies in Canada and the U.S., Indigenous organizations, non-government organizations and industry, as well as post-secondary institutions.

Target population: All Canadians - The Water Quality and Ecosystem Partnerships programs are intended to affect all Canadians positively by providing cleaner freshwater for drinking, fishing, swimming and other uses, and healthier freshwater ecosystems.

Specific demographic group outcomes

Certain elements of the Program will positively affect Indigenous peoples. Specific targeted activities under this Program seek to improve the technical capacity and engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations, individuals, and communities. These activities aim 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.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics
Statistic	Observed results*	Data source	Comment
Number of Indigenous organizations/communities participating in Great Lakes decision-making processes and projects that restore and protect Great Lakes water quality.	61 in FY 2022-23	Great Lakes Program Files	One of the priorities of the Great Lakes Protection Initiative is to increase Indigenous engagement and participation in Great Lakes decision-making processes as well as the implementation of projects that restore and protect the Great Lakes. This is supported through the delivery of Great Lakes governance processes, engagement and grants and contributions funding.
Number of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities engaged in efforts that restore and protect Lake Winnipeg water quality.	26 discrete Indigenous governments, organizations, or communities were engaged in efforts that support Lake Winnipeg Basin Program objectives from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2023.	Lake Winnipeg Basin Program annual program reports	One of the goals of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program is to increase collaborative nutrient reducing actions 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.

*2022–23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

Ecosystem-specific Key Impacts

Great Lakes: In 2022-2023, the Great Lakes Protection Initiative (GLPI) funded Indigenous-led projects that build capacity in understanding and addressing Great Lakes issues. Four GLPI-funded projects supported Indigenous communities’ participation in assessment, decision-making, and remediation of Areas of Concern. Five GLPI-funded projects supported engaging Indigenous peoples in addressing Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health issues including community-based monitoring and citizen science; applying Indigenous knowledge; engagement in Great Lakes governance and decision-making processes; and building community capacity. An additional ten projects supported enhancing Indigenous, as well as citizen, partner, and stakeholder engagement on Great Lakes issues; and showcasing and raising awareness of Indigenous peoples’ integral role in the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. Through ongoing efforts related to lake wide management and Areas of Concern under the 2012 Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), ECCC also continued to engage with First Nations and Métis communities across the Great Lakes basin in taking action and in Great Lakes decision-making. Indigenous participation continued in Great Lakes governance, including membership and participation from eight Indigenous organizations and communities on the Great Lakes Executive Committee, pursuant to the 2012 GLWQA, as well as Indigenous participation in meetings of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on the Great Lakes (COA) Executive Committee and annual meetings between the COA Executive Committee Co-Chairs and First Nations and Métis partners.

Lake Winnipeg: In 2022-2023, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program invested $1.6M in stakeholder-led actions to support nutrient reduction, advance science, and support Indigenous engagement and collaboration to build capacity in understanding and addressing water quality issues. Lake Winnipeg is intrinsic to the cultural, social, spiritual, and economic well-being of Indigenous peoples. The Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) supports opportunities to build capacity and increase engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities on Lake Winnipeg basin water quality issues, including community-based monitoring and incorporation of traditional knowledge in discussions on the ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg. The LWBP also supports efforts to increase participation by Indigenous peoples in freshwater management. For example, the Steering Committee for the Canada-Manitoba MOU Respecting Lake Winnipeg and its Basin hosted an Indigenous Engagement session in March 2023 to advance foundational efforts that bridge knowledge gaps between the Committee and Indigenous partners to help inform future approaches and opportunities that support integration and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and knowledge in committee activities. A “What We Heard Report” summarizes the dialogue of this session.

GBA Plus data collection plan

As part of the renewal of the Freshwater Action Plan (FWAP) through Budget 2023, a TB Submission, including a Performance Information Profile and a GBA Plus, are being developed to support implementation of the FWAP which includes priority freshwater ecosystems including Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake Simcoe, Lake of the Woods, St Lawrence River, the Mackenzie River, the Fraser River, and the Wolastoq/Saint John River. This work is being coordinated through the new Canada Water Agency Branch, launched in June 2023.

Core responsibility: Conserving Nature

Program name: Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships

Program goals: The Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships Program is focused on collaborative work with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, and other conservation partners to develop and meet Canada’s biodiversity commitments and obligations and to influence international policy related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Program officials also participate in policy development to support modern treaty negotiations with Indigenous peoples to ensure conservation needs and the reconciliation agenda are met.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group outcomes

Canadians derive both ‘use values’ (e.g., recreation, cleaner air, and water) and ‘non-use’ values (e.g., existence and cultural values) from efforts to reduce the loss of biodiversity, and thus from the Program’s activities. With respect to use values, it is likely that groups with the least access to nature or greatest exposure to environmental pollutants (e.g., individuals living in marginalized areas) would generally have lower ‘use’ values and thus benefit less from biodiversity conservation. In 2021, 9% of Canadians did not have a park or green space close to home.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus analysis was conducted for major initiatives such as the proposal to host the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Montreal in December 2022. This informed activities in 22-23 to support the participation of Indigenous peoples, youth, and others in COP15. This support allowed Canada to host a more diverse and inclusive Conference than would have otherwise been the case. The main outcome of COP15 was adoption of the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes targets on the full participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities and on gender equality.

More generally, the impacts of Program activities on Canadians are indirect and difficult to separate from impacts of other actors (municipal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, non-profit) working towards similar goals. It is not expected that the Program has particular regional impacts, given the focus on national and international policy, as well as the small amount of grants and contributions supporting the Program. In a general sense, key stakeholders and partners in Canada that could be affected socio-economically by conservation activities include federal, provincial, and territorial government organizations, Indigenous peoples, natural resource sectors (e.g., agriculture, forestry, mining, energy), and landowners (public and private). Biodiversity conservation efforts generally accrue positive socio-economic impacts upon the angling, hunting, and trapping, and outdoor sport and recreational communities.

One important but older source of information is the 2012 Canadian Nature Survey -- a national survey that asked Canadians to report on their nature-based activities – which found that 89% of adult Canadians participated in nature-based activities for non-commercial, personal enjoyment. The survey found that participants in volunteer nature conservation activities were broadly representative of the diverse Canadian population, in terms of gender, household income, educational level, urban/rural, and immigrant/ first generation Canadian status.

Key program impact statistics

Not available. The program currently lacks indicators that can be disaggregated by gender or socio-economic factors and is considering how to fill this data gap.

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

The program currently lacks indicators that can be disaggregated by gender or socio-economic factors and is considering how to fill this data gap as indicators are updated or replaced. For example, the program still refers to the 2012 Canadian Nature Survey, as a newer version of the survey has not been conducted. To address the lack of disaggregated data, and in light of the new Global Biodiversity Framework, the program is considering how to update, replace or supplement older indicators and background information sources.

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. These data cannot be disaggregated by gender due to the small sample size.

Program name: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife

Program goals: The objective of this Program is to protect plant and animal species in Canada, including migratory birds, by actively promoting compliance with, and applying a risk-based approach to enforce wildlife laws, regulations and other instruments administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. These laws regulate human interventions, such as hunting or trade that could adversely affect long-term wildlife conservation. Canadian wildlife protection legislation is also aimed at conserving threatened or potentially threatened species nationally and internationally.

Inspections and intelligence contribute to the detection and identification of non-compliance which is then addressed by an array of enforcement measures including issuing tickets, administrative penalties, warnings, or compliance orders. For more serious offences, prosecution may be sought following the results of investigations, which may involve referrals to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Compliance is secured to reduce threats and damages to biodiversity for the benefit of all Canadians and the global community.

Target population: All Canadians and the global community

Specific demographic group outcomes: Enforcement Branch (EB) in ECCC is aware that enforcement activities can have different impacts on different Canadian communities, including specific equity seeking groups, such as visible minorities, linguistic groups, and/or Indigenous peoples. EB collects data on the type, outcomes, and location of its enforcement activities, which is overlaid with geographically based data from other sources, including with respect to demographics and socio-economic indicators like income level and the relative presence of equity seeking groups, where available to monitor for potential bias.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Not available

GBA Plus data collection plan

EB 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. Where correlations are determined to be inconsistent with ECCC Compliance and Enforcement policies, EB will review and modify its planning as required.

Further, the Program:

Continues to provide training and material to inform on elements that must be considered when engaging in compliance promotion and enforcement activities with regulatees that may be Indigenous or part of a visible minority or linguistic group.
Continues to build and promote mutual understanding and partnership through a group of officers who meet regularly with Indigenous representatives such as in wildlife co-management committees.
In FY 2022-2023, the Program planned and developed a GBA Plus analysis survey for distribution in FY 2023-2024. The survey will be completed by EB’s General Technician (GT) staff (Environment and Wildlife Enforcement Officers) to identify barriers and biases and develop an action plan to help address them.

Program name: Environmental Assessment

Program goals: The Environmental Assessment Program consists of a consolidated range of activities that support the assessment, evaluation, and management of Canada’s ecosystems with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of development projects subject to environmental/impact assessments.

Within the context of an environmental assessment, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) reviews the proponent’s characterization of environmental effects, and proposed measures to mitigate these effects, in areas within the Department’s mandate, including climate change, air quality, water quality, biodiversity, environmental preparedness and emergencies. Based on these reviews, ECCC provides expert information or knowledge to the authority responsible for the decision.

The Program’s activities and outcome do not target any specific groups of Canadians and therefore no GBA Plus information is generated/collected by the Program.

Target population: All Canadians

(Note: The Program’s output does not target any specific group of Canadians. It provides science-based knowledge and expert advice related to reducing the environmental impacts of development projects.)

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

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.

In the case of Indigenous peoples, the environmental assessment and impact assessment program works with other federal departments to ensure that First Nations Rights are addressed.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Nothing to report for 2022-2023

Program name: Habitat Conservation and Protection

Program goals: 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 accrue to different demographics throughout the process of achieving this outcome, but broadly, Canadians of all demographics benefit from nature conservation.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	Positive benefits are gender neutral – Canadians of all genders benefit from nature conservation
By income level	While all Canadians benefit from nature conservation, the benefits derived from increased access to nature are strongest to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds who currently face access barriers.
By age group	Positive benefits are age neutral –Canadians of all ages benefit from nature conservation.

Specific demographic group outcomes: 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.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

GBA Plus assessments were conducted in 2020-2021 for the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative, which continues to be implemented. The assessments concluded that Canadians of all genders broadly benefit from nature conservation, and that Canadians broadly support nature conservation. The implementation approach:

Encourages and facilitates the creation of new protected and conserved areas across Canada, including in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
Continues to implement planning guidelines and consultation processes.
Encourages equal participation of diverse populations when consulting with different Canadians.
Actively considers gender and other equity factors when establishing and implementing key governance and decision-making mechanisms.
Designs engagement and outreach activities to increase opportunities and reduce barriers to participation in conservation activities for all.
Makes nature more accessible for Canadians and encourages—where possible—inclusive design of natural public spaces and infrastructure.
Leverages new and existing partnerships with Indigenous peoples.
Works with representatives of Indigenous peoples in planning and implementing conservation initiatives.
Supports the transfer and nurturing of Indigenous knowledge.

The Habitat Conservation and Protection Program works with many key partners in protecting and conserving nature, including provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, industry, environmental and other non-profit groups, and private landowners and land trusts.

In 2022-23, Indigenous leadership in conservation was an important theme of the Program. Indigenous-led Area Based Conservation provided funding for Indigenous-led projects that will contribute to Canada’s area-based conservation targets. Additionally, in December 2022 the new First Nations Guardians Network was launched, representing a significant step in reconciliation. Indigenous Guardians are the “eyes and ears on the ground” in Indigenous territories, and a unique example of reconciliation in action. They monitor ecological health, maintain cultural sites, and protect sensitive areas and species. Since 2018, over 170 Guardians initiatives have been supported by HCP Programming, which has contributed to the development of capacity and employment in Indigenous communities across the country.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The GBA Plus data collection and reporting plan was developed as part of the Natural Climate Solutions Fund 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. This new requirement and the new indicator will provide information for the program to better understand diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Additionally, GBA Plus assessments were conducted on the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative (2021). Findings and activities through this assessment will be implemented within the Enhanced Nature Legacy work through both the Habitat Conservation and Protection and Species at Risk Programs.

Program name: Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife

Program goals: ECCC is responsible for implementing the Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife (MBOW) 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.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	Positive benefits are gender neutral – Canadians of all genders benefit from nature conservation
By income level	No significant distributional impacts - The diversity of conservation contexts across Canada and the range of direct and indirect benefits, it is not expected that a particular income group would be more impacted than another from conservation of migratory birds and other wildlife and their habitats.
By age group	Positive benefits are age neutral –Canadians of all ages benefit from migratory bird and other wildlife conservation

Specific demographic group outcomes

Benefitting groups may not always experience all benefits from the MBOW program over the short- and medium-term as conservation and management of migratory birds and other species and the associated co-benefits of functioning and resilient ecosystem services (clean air, water, soil restoration) can take decades if not generations. That being said, over the short- and medium-term, rural communities and Indigenous communities will likely experience benefits through MBOW conservation and management in the immediate area. This allows for a path forward towards long-term benefits associated with preserving nature. MBOW Program Performance Information Profile reflects not only the ability of the Program to conserve and manage migratory birds and other wildlife, but also how the Program might impact, either directly or indirectly, different demographic groups whose land-use, reliance on local natural resources, relationship to the land, and vulnerability to conservation measures may differ according to a combination of socio-economic factors. Demographic groups may include (but are not limited to) private landowners, industry (tourism, natural resources, etc.), other orders of government, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous peoples, and cultural minorities. Other dynamics include (but are not limited to) cross-cultural relationships between Euro-Canadians and Indigenous communities, food security, etc.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

GBA Plus data collection plan

Statistics Canada continues to be the main source for data pertaining to the initial assessment. Branch and Department human resources 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.

Program name: Species at Risk

Program goals: The Species at Risk (SAR) Program aims to prevent wildlife species from extirpation or extinction; it provides for the recovery of extirpated, endangered, or threatened wildlife species, and manages species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.

GBA Plus assessments were conducted on the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative (2021) and Budget 2023 proposal. The assessments concluded that Canadians of all genders broadly benefit from nature conservation, and that Canadians broadly support nature conservation.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	The general benefits of protecting and recovering SAR and their habitat are likely gender-balanced, as SAR protection and recovery efforts extend across the country.
By income level	No significant distributional impacts - The diversity of conservation contexts across Canada and the range of direct and indirect benefits, it is not expected that a particular income group would be more impacted than another from protection and recovery of SAR and their habitats.
By age group	Preserving species and biodiversity will primarily benefit youth, children and/or future generations.

Specific demographic group outcomes

Gender Balanced
Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Metis)
Rural or remote populations
Workers

Benefitting groups may not experience benefits from the SAR program over the short- and medium-term as recovery and restoration of critical habitat and the associated co-benefits of functioning and resilient ecosystem services (clean air, water, soil restoration) can take decades if not generations. That being said, over the short- and medium-term, rural communities and Indigenous communities will likely experience benefits through SAR protection and recovery in the immediate area. This allows for a path forward towards long-term benefits associated with preserving nature. Species at Risk Program (SAR Program) Performance Information Profile reflects not only the ability of the Program to protect species at risk, but also how the Program might impact, either directly or indirectly, different demographic groups whose land-use, reliance on local natural resources, relationship to the land, and vulnerability to conservation measures may differ according to a combination of socio-economic factors. Demographic groups may include (but are not limited to) private landowners, industry (tourism, natural resources, etc.), other orders of government, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous peoples, and cultural minorities.

This may include unfavorable impacts on local economic activities, such as an increased imbalance in access to economic opportunities across demographic groups (e.g., according to gender, age, education level, etc.). Other dynamics include (but are not limited to) cross-cultural relationships between Euro-Canadians and Indigenous communities, food security, etc.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

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 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 other 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 2022-23, 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. The Canadian Wildlife Service Branch 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 (SARA). 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 was undertaken as part of the Enhanced Nature Legacy Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board submission, as well as the Budget 2023 Proposal for Funding to Continue to Protect, Monitor and recover SAR.

Supplementary information sources

Nearly Nine in 10 Canadians (89%) Consider Preventing the Extinction of Wild Plants and Animals Important: 2017

Three in Five (62%) Canadians Say the Federal Government is Doing Too Little to Protect Species at Risk: 2012

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 grants and contributions (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 to 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.

For the Community Support Trust component of the Southern Mountain Caribou (SMC) Partnership Agreement initiative, funding recipients will be requested to include disaggregated data in their reports to the Department. Regional employment and labour force data collected through Statistics Canada’s Census Program are expected to indirectly reflect the impacts of the implementation of the initiative but given the scale of Stats Can reporting and the multiple factors that affect such data, it will not be possible to assess results of the specific initiative using only those data. For the remainder of the SMC initiative, results, including those with a GBA Plus component, are linked to and will be evaluated in the context of the broader Habitat Conservation and Protection Program and Species at Risk Program.

Core responsibility: Predicting Weather and Environment Conditions

Program name: Hydrological Services

Program goals: ECCC’s Hydrological Services provides real-time and archival hydrometric data products (water level and water flow) and supports interjurisdictional water management activities through participation on domestic and international transboundary waterboards. Analysis was conducted by ECCC’s Hydrological Services to identify key user groups as well as to assess monitoring gaps of its hydrometric network design in key areas such as climate change, natural resource economy, cryosphere, Indigenous communities, and community resilience. ECCC continues to work with and identify clients to ensure that its hydrometric network is properly equipped to deliver hydrometric data to support water resource management in areas most likely to be affected by climate change such as Northern, Indigenous, and remote communities.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	Broadly gender-balanced
By income level	No significant distributional impacts
By age group	No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Specific demographic group outcomes

Specific partners and stakeholders across various sectors of Canada’s economy that are known users of hydrometric data and information include: provincial, territorial, and local governments, other federal departments, Indigenous communities, land, and resource clients (hydroelectric, forestry, mining, agriculture, oil, and gas), transportation clients (navigation, road, and rail), insurance companies, recreationists, tourism and the scientific community. These groups benefit from the hydrometric data to develop supplementary data/information products, to support statutory/regulatory requirements and to inform decision-making regarding water resource allocation and community/individual health and safety.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

Extreme weather events and natural disasters in Canada, including water-related disasters such as floods and droughts, have significant impacts on Canadians’ health, safety, property, and finances, as well as on their social well-being. Vulnerable Canadians in particular, are more likely to be impacted by having natural disasters.

Hydrometric data and information are essential for provincial and territorial flood forecasting agencies and emergency management organizations who are responsible for preparing and responding to floods to save lives and protect infrastructure and properties. 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. 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 that prioritize actions to 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 2022-23.

Program name: Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings

Program goals: Monitor weather, water, air quality and climate conditions; provide forecasts, information and warnings to the Canadians and targeted sectors through a range of service delivery options; conduct research; develop and maintain computer-based models for predicting weather and other environmental conditions; and collaborate and exchange data with international partners. To deliver on its core responsibility, ECCC has adopted a number of strategies to better communicate risks to all Canadians, helping them against potential impacts of extreme weather events.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	Broadly gender-balanced
By income level	No significant distributional impacts
By age group	No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation

Specific demographic group outcomes

Some groups may encounter difficulty accessing ECCC’s information directly, or through its dissemination channels and services, including:

Newcomers or immigrants who may be unaware of ECCC’s existing services or how to access them or those that do not communicate in French or English;
Seniors who may have difficulty accessing ECCC’s information and services that are disseminated through modern platform (e.g., via increasingly adopted digital services); and
Persons with disabilities or health issues such as blindness, deafness, or other conditions, may face a physical barrier in accessing ECCC’s information and services.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Not available

Other key program impacts

Canadians depend on weather forecasts, warnings, and expert advice to safely plan their daily activities. For example, persons in rural and remote areas rely on weather services to plan transportation activities. This is particularly important for isolated areas in the North where there are significant infrastructure gaps, including no permanent (or “all-weather”) roads, and where alternative methods of transportation are used, such as seasonal winter roads on top of ice cover, and air travel for transportation of essential goods (e.g., foods). These alternative methods are enabled by weather and environmental services, particularly during shoulder seasons (i.e., fall and spring periods), when there is less certainty in ground conditions, and a heightened and increasing risk of accidents (e.g., the rate of accidents has doubled over the past decade in Nunavut). Weather and sea-ice climate information contributes 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, in making informed decisions when confronted with extreme weather scenarios (e.g., extreme heat, extreme cold) that may pose increased risks to them. This also applies to information that might be used to support other populations such as people experiencing homelessness (such as information regarding health concerns related to extreme cold responses).

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 weather situations, and stakeholder engagement. ECCC also improved the accessibility and documentation of its weather and environmental datasets and products through the ECCC Datamart and GeoMet. ECCC reaches Canadians by using a variety of dissemination channels and implementing regular improvements to provide vital information about weather and environmental conditions and 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

WMO Strengthens Gender Action Plan

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

Program goals: Resources and services administered to support the needs of ECCC’s programs and other corporate obligations.

Regarding human resources in particular, the goal is to foster a truly equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace, while also building GBA Plus capacity that can support better policy making across the organization. Outcomes include a more representative and inclusive public service that retains diverse talent. Impacts include reducing systemic barriers, strengthening GBA Plus capacity, increasing employee engagement, and enabling better policy making informed by diverse needs and perspectives.

Target population: ECCC’s employees and all Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution	Group
By gender	broadly gender-balanced
By income level	somewhat benefits high income individuals
By age group	no significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors

Specific demographic group outcomes

n/a

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics
Statistic	Observed results*	Data source	Comment
Gender representation at ECCC.	Women are slightly overrepresented at ECCC at 53.3%.	Internal Administrative Data	n/a

*2022–23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

Digital Talent (Women in Digital)

ECCC has established a Digital Talent Network, a transformative initiative aimed at harnessing the digital skills to progress the Government of Canada Digital Ambition. As part of our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity, we collaborated with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Transport Canada (TC) to launch the first engagement phase dedicated to Women in Digital. This strategic partnership aims to bridge the gender gap in the digital sector while fostering innovation. By facilitating this initiative, ECCC continues to reinforce its position as a leading advocate for inclusivity and an equitable workforce.

Evaluation

ECCC continues to be committed to integrating GBA Plus in evaluation. The Evaluation Division considers GBA Plus in the scoping of each evaluation. For the evaluation projects completed in 2022-23, there were no observations or recommendations related to GBA Plus.

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 the fiscal year (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 human resources planning process.
In FY 2022/2023, a departmental Employment Equity Dashboard was launched, providing further information related to disaggregated data related to Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity.
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.

Inclusive job posters

Recognizing the significance of a diverse and skilled workforce, ECCC took proactive measures to enhance our recruitment approach. We successfully developed inclusive job posters tailored to attract a wide spectrum of talent, particularly individuals with digital expertise. By employing inclusive language, these job posters promote an environment that welcomes and values individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring our workforce reflects the rich range of Canadian culture. Through this, ECCC aims to bolster the integration of digital skills within our organization, furthering our capacity to address environmental challenges using innovative and cutting-edge approaches.

Information Management and Information Technology

Diversity and inclusion remained a critical departmental and government-wide priority and in support of greater inclusion that is representative of the overall Canadian population, the Department adopted display names including pronouns on various platforms such as EnviroTel, MS Teams and Outlook, to build a culture of inclusiveness.
To make services more widely available, ECCC performs both manual and automated accessibility testing on its applications to ensure compliance with the standards of the Web Content Accessibility Guideline.

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. In line with this, accessibility considerations must now be integrated into in procurement process for goods, services, and construction. A pilot was conducted by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on the integration of social procurement and supplier diversification considerations in procurement processes. PSPC successfully launched its Supplier Diversification Program in July 2023, and the first social procurements launch is anticipated over the next year. Results and best practices will subsequently be shared with other government departments. As part of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Social Procurement, ECCC will continue to follow progress on this front.
When methodologies are clearly established by central agency leads, the goal of ECCC and other clients’ departments following progress on the pilot will be to integrate the new methodologies and lessons learned to increase GBA Plus representation in ECCC procurement practices.

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 encourage flexible work arrangements for employees to ensure that family situations and family roles are considered, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECCC is currently nearing completion of additional modernized spaces and accessibility is a key part of these projects. Key partners such as the Persons with Disabilities Network have been consulted to provide project teams with guidance, insight, and knowledge on the various types of disabilities and how we can adapt our workplaces accordingly.
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.

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 include:

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.
Preparation for modernized self-identification form through Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

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.

Workplace adaptation

Following the Accessibility Plan ECCC published on December 30th, 2022, in accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, the Real Property Management Division intend to complete accessibility audits as prescribed by the Canadian Standards Association, Standard on Accessible Design for the Built Environment in 2023-2024, at a TBD number of ECCC sites. The outcomes of the audits are to assess and determine possible actions to improve accessibility to specific ECCC-owned buildings, identify and describe obstacles for persons with mobility or sensorial deficiencies, recommend solutions aiming to eliminate or reduce these obstacles and ultimately remove and ultimately prevent barriers to realize barrier-free ECCC-owned buildings by 2040.

Scales

Gender scale

First group: predominantly men (80% or more men)
Second group: 60% to 79% men
Third group: broadly gender-balanced
Fourth group: 60% to 79% women
Fifth group: predominantly women (80% or more women)

Income‑level scale

First group: strongly benefits low‑income individuals (strongly progressive)
Second group: somewhat benefits low‑income individuals (somewhat progressive)
Third group: no significant distributional impacts
Fourth group: somewhat benefits high‑income individuals (somewhat regressive)
Fifth group: strongly benefits high‑income individuals (strongly regressive)

Age‑group scale

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations
Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Third group: primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation

Page details

2023-11-09

2022-2023 Departmental Results Report: Gender-based analysis plus

2022-2023 Departmental Results Report Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

Capacity

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Program name: Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Program name: Climate Change Adaptation

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: International Environment and Climate Action

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Core responsibility: Preventing and Managing Pollution

Program name: Air Quality

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Community Eco-Action

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Substances and Waste Management

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Core responsibility: Conserving Nature

Program name: Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Environmental Assessment

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Habitat Conservation and Protection

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Species at Risk

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Core responsibility: Predicting Weather and Environment Conditions

Program name: Hydrological Services

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

Program name: Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings

Specific demographic group outcomes

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Supplementary information sources

GBA Plus data collection plan

2022-2023 Departmental Results Report
Gender-based analysis plus