Impact Assessment Agency of Canada's 2024–2025 Departmental results report: Gender-based Analysis Plus

Section 1: institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

Under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors is considered in the impact assessment of designated projects to help understand how different groups within a community may be affected by a project’s activities. In 2024-25, to meet this requirement, as well as more broadly across its initiatives and processes, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) incorporated Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) into its policies, programs, and practices to ensure they are responsive, inclusive, and reflective of diverse experiences. GBA Plus analysis is applied to information and studies gathered during the Impact Statement Phase by proponents, where relevant, considered in IAAC’s assessment of effects, and in preparation of the Impact Assessment Report, as applicable. The Impact Assessment Report, which is prepared by IAAC or a review panel, informs decision-making by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change or Governor-in-Council.

Capacity

IAAC’s President and Vice-Presidents are responsible for providing leadership and dedicating sufficient resources in their respective areas of responsibility to ensure that GBA Plus is incorporated in all IAAC initiatives and processes. This includes:

• Ensuring GBA Plus is conducted for project-level impact assessments under the IAA, where relevant, which may include project-related follow-up and enforcement activities;
• Incorporating GBA Plus within the development of policies, practices, and programs, and ensuring all IAAC sectors integrate GBA Plus into the ongoing performance monitoring of their program results;
• Ensuring GBA Plus informs Cabinet-related work; and
• Incorporating GBA Plus, as appropriate, into engagement, consultation, and capacity-building.

IAAC also has a GBA Plus Champion, a designated senior leader responsible for taking a leadership role in raising awareness of GBA Plus, promoting its application, and supporting innovative ways to strengthen intersectional analysis across IAAC.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

The number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) dedicated to working on GBA Plus for IAAC in 2024-‍25 was 0.5 FTEs. This 0.5 FTE supports the implementation of GBA Plus within IAAC including by acting as the GBA Plus Focal Point as defined in IAAC’s Gender-Based Analysis Plus Corporate Policy. While many employees across IAAC apply GBA Plus in program activities and assessments, they are not considered as dedicated FTEs working on GBA Plus.

Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Impact Assessment

Program name: Assessment, Administration, Conduct and Monitoring

Program goals: The goal of this program is to conduct high-quality assessments of designated projects, and monitor and verify compliance with mitigation measures, thereby preventing or reducing adverse effects in areas of federal jurisdiction, while supporting economic growth. In addition to contributing to protecting the environment, this program aims to contribute to the social and economic well-being, and to preserve the health, of Canadians. For projects assessed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), IAAC considers GBA Plus and, when applicable, includes the results in related Memoranda to Cabinet to inform decision-making.

For projects under the IAA, IAAC requires proponents to take GBA Plus into account in the preparation of their Impact Statements, where relevant. GBA Plus may also inform proposed mitigation and follow-up programs. In preparing an Impact Assessment Report, IAAC or a review panel will consider GBA Plus information provided by the proponent and participants, which is reviewed by expert federal departments Indigenous groups, the public, and other jurisdictions, as applicable. This program ensures GBA Plus is considered throughout assessment processes (including for project, regional, and strategic assessments) and, where necessary, proposes targeted strategies to mitigate or eliminate the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction of a project while identifying ways to broaden the benefits to more sub-populations within a community.

IAAC provides access to GBA Plus data that proponents, other departments, and the public submit to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry throughout assessment processes, along with that provided by Indigenous Peoples as part of the Indigenous Relations and Engagement Program.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Canadian public, Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, visible minorities, women, and other equity-deserving groups potentially affected by a designated project and assessment-related policies.

Key program impact statistics

By following IAAC’s Gender-Based Analysis Plus in Impact Assessment guide and Tool – Assessing the Quality of a GBA Plus in the Impact Statement, IAAC and project proponents have been incorporating GBA Plus into key documents under their respective responsibilities throughout the impact assessment process. As a result, decisions made throughout the assessment process, including at the Decision Phase, are based on information that includes the consideration of impacts on diverse groups.

In addition, IAAC provided ongoing support to proponents by reviewing project assessment documents to ensure they demonstrate the application of GBA Plus, as applicable, and are aligned with published guidance. IAAC also collaborated with Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), the expert federal authority on GBA Plus, to incorporate their advice into its analysis and feedback to proponents.

Core responsibility: Impact Assessment

Program name: Indigenous Relations and Engagement

Program goals: This program aims to advance the Crown’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and meaningful engagement in federal assessments through communication and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, engagement with Indigenous Peoples in policy development, and consultations during project assessments. IAAC applies GBA Plus in consultations and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, engagement on policies, and capacity-building funding for diverse groups (e.g., Indigenous women). Through this program, IAAC requests feedback from diverse Indigenous groups, implements policies based on feedback, and provides financial support to facilitate the ability and capacity of Indigenous Peoples to participate in project assessments. GBA Plus is used to ensure the meaningful participation of diverse Indigenous Peoples and to capture their diverse voices, interests, and perspectives, support Indigenous stewardship and jurisdiction, and advance reconciliation.

IAAC compiles GBA Plus data that Indigenous Peoples, proponents, other departments, and the public submit to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry throughout assessment processes, along with that provided by proponents, other departments, and the public as part of the Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring Program.

Target population: Indigenous Peoples

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored:

Indigenous groups affected by a designated project and assessment-related policies.

Key program impact statistics:

IAAC continued to work with Indigenous communities in the post-decision phase of the Impact Assessment Process to build relationships and enhance engagement with potentially impacted communities, including modern treaty nations.

GBA Plus data collection plan

As part of ongoing performance measurement, IAAC uses data collection methods that include the collection of GBA Plus information. This enables IAAC to assess the impacts of its Programs from a GBA Plus lens and make improvements, if required, to mitigate adverse effects on sub-groups. In 2024-25, GBA Plus data continued to be systematically collected as part of ongoing performance measurement and monitoring.

In January 2025, as part of its efforts to evaluate and strengthen the implementation of GBA Plus, IAAC launched a GBA Plus survey to collect feedback from all employees. This survey sought to understand employee knowledge, experience, and application of GBA Plus in the workplace. It provided an opportunity to assess employee needs and identify ways to further integrate GBA Plus into IAAC’s work.

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