Supplementary Information Table 2024-25

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) has a Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) Framework that serves as the PBC's statement of intent and seeks to build and sustain the practice of GBA+ through several streams. The Framework ensures that GBA+ is applied in all areas of the PBC’s policies, programs, and initiatives. The PBC has a Senior Designated Official responsible for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion who also serves as the organizational GBA+ Champion. 

All employees are required to complete Introduction to Gender-based Analysis Plus training as part of the PBC’s collective learning roadmap. Additional courses to reflect on bias and increase cultural competency are also required for both Board members and staff.

The PBC continues to explore and collaborate with other government departments to increase availability of disaggregated data in all program areas. A PBC Accessibility Plan has been developed to improve programs and services by proactively identifying and addressing organizational accessibility barriers.

In 2024-25, the PBC will:

• Address remaining  recommendations from the PBC Working Group on Diversity and Systemic Racism Report entitled Moving Towards Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including implementation of  culturally responsive hearings for Black individuals;
• Support Board members and staff in the application of overarching guiding principles that serve as a foundation for working with women during the conditional release process;
• Engage with interdepartmental partners in the development of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy;
• Continue to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan 2023-28;
• Continue to promote the implementation of Canada’s First 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan; and
• Implement recommendations further to the National Elder and Cultural Advisor Gathering that took place in October 2023, to strengthen conditional release outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.

Outreach is a corporate priority and significant progress has been made in bolstering engagement with communities and within institutions. Targeted outreach for 2024-25 includes women, 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous Peoples, Black individuals and other racialized people.

The PBC participates in many internal and external working groups and committees, such as the Chairperson’s Indigenous Circle and PBC Committee on Victims, in order to remain informed and sensitive to the issues facing diverse groups and communities. The PBC continues to enter into new partnerships with individuals representing various populations to inform policy and program development.

The PBC continues to provide training to Board members and staff who work directly with incarcerated individuals, victims, and members of the public, such as training on gender and sexual diversity, and trauma and culturally responsive communication.  

All programs remove stigmatizing barriers of having a criminal record that allow people to pursue two of the pillars and goals: Education and skills development and economic prosperity and participation.