Privy Council Office’s 2023–24 Departmental Results Report: Gender‑based analysis plus

Gender-based analysis plus

Introduction

In 2018, Parliament passed the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act. The departmental plans and departmental results reports are being used to fulfill the President of the Treasury Board’s obligations to make public, every year, analysis on the impacts of expenditure programs on gender and diversity.

Each organization is responsible for conducting their own Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus).

The Policy on Results indicates that Program officials, as designated by Deputy Heads, are responsible for ensuring data collection for meeting policy requirements.

Applicability

All organizations must complete GBA Plus supplementary information tables in departmental plans and departmental results reports on an annual basis.

Section 1: institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is an analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and people of all genders may experience policies, programs and initiatives. The “Plus” in GBA Plus acknowledges that GBA goes beyond biological (sex) and socio cultural (gender) differences. We all have multiple identity factors that intersect to make us who we are; GBA Plus considers many other identity factors, like race, ethnicity, religion, age and mental or physical disability.

In 2023–24, PCO published its first, public-facing GBA Plus framework. In addition, a new governance structure for GBA Plus was put in place at PCO. The Assistant Secretary GBA Plus Committee was established to serve as the primary senior management governance and decision-making body for this stream of work.

PCO has also continued to collaborate with Women and Gender Equality Canada, the Department of Finance Canada, and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) on strengthening the implementation and refinement of GBA Plus. The mandatory application of GBA Plus in MCs will ensure that government decision-making is well-informed, and programs and services take into consideration the diversity and realities of all Canadians.

Capacity

As part of its continued work to enhance the use of GBA Plus to assess the implications of policies and programs through individuals’ intersecting identity factors, PCO undertook a range of activities in 2023–24 to reinforce GBA Plus capacity, including:

• Launched an annual “Deep Dive” review to study a targeted number of Memoranda to Cabinet (MCs), with an aim to provide proactive, targeted, enhanced intersectional support early in the development of MCs, and to identify lessons learned that could be amplified across all departments’ work;
• Delivered training sessions for PCO analysts on Strengthened GBA Plus, led by the GBA Plus Focal Point, and developed and distributed tailored job aids aimed at improving the quality of GBA Plus and disaggregated data in Memoranda to Cabinet (MCs); and
• Leveraged its new Assistant Secretary GBA Plus Committee to support continuous improvement in applying GBA Plus.

In addition, PCO branches undertook tailored efforts to enhance GBA Plus capacity in their respective areas.

Results and Delivery Unit (RDU): Advanced use of disaggregated data

RDU continued to promote the usage of disaggregated data across Government departments in partnership with Statistics Canada via the Assistant Deputy Minister Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) on Disaggregated Data, which RDU's Assistant Secretary co-chairs with Statistics Canada. The FAC developed and oversaw a workplan to advance the usage of disaggregated data across Government departments. This included exploring areas such as privacy and confidentiality, expanding data assets, engagement and collaboration and enhancing access to disaggregated data resources across Government. Specifically, PCO is co-leading development of a repository that will contain tools, resources, and job aids for analysts on disaggregated data. PCO is also developing a job aid for the use of non-traditional data sources, leveraging existing examples and case studies from across Government, which can provide valuable insights that include capturing perspectives and experiences of marginalized or underrepresented groups, promoting inclusivity in data-driven policy and decision-making processes.

Senior Personnel Secretariat: Improved diversity through increased data sharing

The Senior Personnel Secretariat (SPS) collects and maintains information on the diversity of Governor in Council (GIC) appointees to support the Government’s commitment to transparent and merit-based appointments to help ensure that people of all gender identities, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups are reflected in leadership positions. As part of its vacancy management exercise in 2023-24, SPS began to share further disaggregated GBA Plus data with departments to advance government-wide GBA Plus efforts and improve understanding of how organization representation levels compare to GIC positions as whole (by leadership and non-leadership positions), as well as the Canadian population.

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

1 FTE is fully dedicated to GBA Plus; however, a wide range of employees (including at executive levels) are responsible for reviewing and advancing the application of GBA Plus as part of their regular engagement with Cabinet proposals, appointments and other aspects of PCO business.

Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Intergovernmental Affairs

Program goals: Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) provides advice and support to the Prime Minister, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Quebec Lieutenant on the federal/provincial/territorial landscape, bilateral and multilateral engagement with provinces and territories, management of the federation, and national unity. IGA is the federal policy lead for internal trade.

Target population: For IGA’s Internal Trade team, the target population is businesses and workers who face interprovincial barriers to trade, labour mobility, and investment. This is also anticipated to impact consumers by providing increased choices, lower prices, and greater access to goods and services, in turn leading to improved economic conditions and increased competition.  

Specific demographic group outcomes

For the Federal Action Plan to Strengthen Internal Trade, gender impacts are expected to be mixed. For instance, men are expected to benefit more broadly from initiatives that impact small and medium-sized businesses, given their larger representation among small- and medium-sized business owners. However, the reduction of trade barriers and costs in certain service sectors (finance, health, education, law, government, etc.) will provide more benefit to women where they make up over 50% of the labour force.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

As part of the Federal Action Plan to Strengthen Internal Trade, IGA’s Internal Trade team funded and conducted comprehensive research to identify top internal trade barriers in key sectors and develop concrete solutions to address them. Its first experimental research project was designed to systematically identify internal trade barriers in the trucking sector. The project included focus groups with industry stakeholders to better understand the disproportionate impacts that certain internal trade barriers have on women and other diverse stakeholders, including people with disabilities and immigrants. The Internal Trade team worked with PCO's GBA Plus Focal Point in advance of the focus groups to incorporate GBA Plus in the data collection strategy for the focus group. The data collected will help measure the GBA Plus impacts of the future removal of internal trade barriers in the trucking sector.

In its challenge function role IGA supported GBA Plus efforts and ensured advice was informed by GBA Plus. This included working with other government departments, particularly WAGE, to ensure federal-provincial-territorial alignment on GBA Plus issues and programs (e.g., the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence). This also included participation at the working level in the internal PCO GBA Plus Network, led by the Social Development Policy Secretariat.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: International Affairs and National Security

Foreign and Defence Policy (FDP)

Program goals: The program goals of FDP are as follows:

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet receive high quality advice through FDP’s challenge function on foreign and defence policy, which includes consideration of GBA Plus on all Memorandum to Cabinet and other policy proposals submitted by line departments.
• The Prime Minister is supported in his strategic international engagement, which includes application of GBA Plus considerations to inform recommendations for the Prime Minister’s engagements and the Prime Minister’s interactions with his counterparts and other global leaders.
• Responses to international crises are coordinated through a whole-of-government approach, which reflect and incorporate GBA Plus considerations.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

Benefits of foreign and defence policy advice were determined not to have a disproportionate distribution of benefits to any one community.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

When performing the challenge function role, FDP considered GBA Plus input on all MCs and other policy proposals submitted by line departments. This information was reviewed and, where necessary, challenged by FDP. This included ensuring that a comprehensive GBA Plus assessment was included in all Memoranda to Cabinet for consideration by Cabinet, as well as applying a GBA Plus lens to other sections of the MCs.

When assessing and advising on funding proposals, FDP also took into account the GBA Plus dimensions of each request, to ensure proposed initiatives respond to GBA Plus commitments. FDP also assesses alignment of international assistance spending with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and the inclusive nature of the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act (ODAAA). 

In 2023-24, FDP identified a GBA Plus focal point and elaborated a workplan to better incorporate GBA Plus into the secretariat’s work. The workplan prioritizes training and tools to mainstream GBA Plus, as well as participation in PCO’s GBA Plus governance structures.

FDP also applied a GBA Plus lens in the planning and execution of the Prime Minister’s international engagement, including visits and calls, by ensuring the PM is equipped to raise concerns about equity for marginalized or vulnerable groups with his interlocutors. For example, FDP undertook analytical work to identify where 2SLGBTQI+ communities are at risk globally and provided Leader-level messaging to raise where appropriate.

In addition, FDP worked to ensure GBA Plus is advanced through its policy work, for example by ensuring gender equality was considered in the G7 process through the selection of Canada’s representative to the Gender Equality Advisory Council; by advancing the women, peace and security agenda through the publication of Foundations for Peace, Canada’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security; and through close collaboration with line departments, principally Global Affairs Canada, to advance Canada’s feminist international policies, including the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Security and Intelligence (S&I)

Program goals: The program goals of S&I are as follows:

• The Prime Minister is well informed, advised and supported with respect to national security and intelligence.
• Cabinet receives high quality advice.
• S&I exercises a strong due diligence and challenge function in its engagement with departments in their policy development and as reflected in MCs, to ensure GBA Plus elements are appropriately incorporated and reflected.
• GBA Plus values are also applied throughout S&I’s provision of balanced advice and support to the Prime Minister on operational and policy issues, beyond Memoranda to Cabinet.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

Benefits of security and intelligence policy advice were determined not to have a disproportionate distribution of benefits to any one community.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

When performing the challenge function role, S&I considered GBA Plus input on all MCs and other policy proposals submitted by line departments. This information was reviewed and, where necessary, challenged by S&I. This included ensuring that a comprehensive GBA Plus assessment is included in all MCs for consideration by Cabinet, as well as applying a GBA Plus lens to other sections of the MCs.

When assessing and advising on Budget proposals (including off-cycle requests), S&I also took into account the GBA Plus dimensions of each request, to ensure proposed initiatives respond to GBA Plus commitments.

GBA Plus governance and results and delivery mechanisms within the PCO-led Intelligence Priorities are enabling greater application of GBA Plus considerations throughout the Canadian intelligence production process.

Furthermore, S&I is supporting the evolution of communications practices within intelligence organizations, ensuring GBA Plus principles are applied when communicating with Canadians – particularly equity deserving groups.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Within the scope of the intelligence community, S&I conducted and will continue to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses related to GBA Plus issues. It is expected that data collection will focus largely on qualitative research into intelligence as a practice, as well as research into transparency practices when intelligence organizations conduct targeted outreach to diverse and equity deserving groups.

Emergency Preparedness Secretariat (EPS)

Program goals: The program goals of EPS are as follows:

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet are well served in rapid phases of emergency response.
• Ensure the Minister of Emergency Preparedness receives full support of the public service in the delivery of their mandate.
• Provide oversight, coordination, and support to the federal Emergency Management community.
• Lead the federal public service response to events of national significance within the scope of responsibility of the Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor.
• EPS utilizes GBA Plus principles and processes in conducting its work, including in the areas of policy development and emergency operations.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group outcomes

EPS supports the concept of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which is defined by the United Nations as “systematic efforts to analyze and reduce the causal factors of disasters. Reducing exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improving preparedness and early warning for adverse events are examples of DRR.” The impacts of disasters are not uniform across society, and different variables can intersect and contribute to the level of risk facing vulnerable populations (e.g., gender, age, disability, socioeconomic conditions).

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

When performing the challenge function role, EPS considered GBA Plus input on all MCs and policy proposals submitted by line departments. This information was reviewed and, when necessary, challenged by EPS. This included ensuring that a comprehensive GBA Plus assessment is included in all MCs for consideration by Cabinet, as well as applying a GBA Plus lens to other sections of the MCs.

EPS also supported the Minister of Emergency Preparedness in achieving their mandate. This included applying a GBA Plus lens to policy proposals and emergency management, such as around natural hazards, which often have an asymmetrical impact on different groups. EPS evaluated proposals to ensure consideration is given for these asymmetrical impacts, and that the proper analysis was undertaken to maximize program outcomes to benefit impacted communities, while mitigating further negative consequences where possible.

EPS ensured all staff have a strong understanding of GBA Plus and its application in order to carry out their responsibilities as PCO employees, particularly in carrying out the PCO challenge function.

Intelligence Assessment Secretariat (IAS)

Program goals: The program goals for the IAS are to:

• Support informed decision-making within the Government of Canada (GoC) on international and national security issues with intelligence assessments on foreign trends and developments that will impact Canadian interests.
• Provide timely, relevant, high-quality intelligence analysis and assessments to the PM, Cabinet, the Clerk of the Privy Council, and senior GoC leaders.
• Play a key interdepartmental leadership and coordination role within the Canadian Intelligence Community (IC) on community and national-level assessments.
• Build a stronger IC through horizontal, community-wide initiatives, enterprise solutions and collaborative, cost-effective intelligence analysis training.
• GBA Plus is an integral part of IAS training, analysis, and community engagement. It informs how IAS conducts its assessments and supports the IC across a range of initiatives.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

IAS incorporated GBA Plus considerations into its staffing, training, and analytical practices to maintain a diverse workforce and its staffing practices complied with GoC standards and polices.

All IAS employees completed the required GBA Plus courses. All IAS analysts completed training on understanding and identifying bias to ensure their assessments and tradecraft are as structured and objective as possible. In addition, training offered by IAS through the Canadian Academy of Intelligence Analysis (CAIA) is reviewed with a GBA Plus lens.

When developing analysis, IAS employees considered impacts of global developments on gender and diversity. GBA Plus considerations have also been included in the Canadian Intelligence Priorities, which informs assessment approach and development.

Finally, through the Intelligence Analysis Community of Practice (IA CoP), IAS coordinated the Canadian IC by developing and promoting the implementation of enterprise-level initiatives such as training and learning, career development, community excellence, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). GBA Plus and EDI is a key pillar in all IA CoP initiatives and underpins the work that it does across the IC.

National Security Council Secretariat (NSC)

Program goals: The program goals for the NSC are to:

• Provide Secretariat support to the NSC, the Cabinet Committee on Global Affairs and Public Security (GPS) and national security-related meetings of the Incident Response Group (IRG).
• Enhance coordination between policy advice and intelligence assessment functions in support of effective government decision-making.
• Provide expert strategic and coordinated advice to the DC/NSIA, the Clerk, and through them the Prime Minister, on the policy requirements and management of long-term, high-impact national security issues affecting national interest in the immediate and longer term.
• Coordinate the implementation of the directions from the NSC nationally and drive the policy outcomes.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

Having been established mid-year in 2023-24, the NSC Secretariat incorporated GBA Plus considerations into its staffing and policy development practices.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Legislative and Parliamentary Governance

Legislation and House Planning (LHP)

Program goals: The program goals for LHP are to:

• Support the Government House Leader in developing the legislative priority plan for each sitting of Parliament, and work horizontally with other departments, and within PCO, to deliver the plan.
• Support the Government and other departments in developing responses to parliamentary committee reports and government positions on Private Member’s Business and Senate Public Bills.
• Support the management of the Cabinet Committee on Operations.
• GBA Plus lens is applied in developing and reviewing legislative and other Parliamentary proposals, as well as providing advice to senior officials and to Cabinet.

Target population: Parliamentarians and all Canadians and stakeholders affected by new or amended legislation.  

Distribution of benefits

Government and other legislation can affect Canadians of all ages, ability levels, education, ethnicity, economic status, geographical location, language, race, religion, and sexual orientation. GBA Plus analysis is applied to all legislative proposals so that no group is disadvantaged as a result of a new or amended legislation, and that differential impacts are understood and mitigated where appropriate.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

When performing the challenge function role, LHP works with policy secretariates in reviewing legislative and other Parliamentary proposals, paying particular attention to how they may affect various groups in Canadian society, including any negative or unintended consequences.

Machinery of Government (MOG)

Program goals: The program goals for MOG are to:

• Provide advice and support to the Prime Minister, Clerk, PCO Secretariats and departments on the structure and functioning of the government as a whole and its institutions, including how government makes decisions, who is responsible for implementing government decisions, and what organizational support Ministers need.

Target population: All Canadians.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

All MOG analysts are expected to take appropriate GBA Plus training and to apply appropriate analytical tools to their work. All advice and guidance provided to the Prime Minister on the organization and structuring of government is informed, when relevant, by GBA Plus.

Democratic Institutions (DI)

Program goals: The program goals for the DI Secretariat are to provide public service support to the Minister of Democratic Institutions to fulfill the Minister’s legislative responsibilities and deliver on the Minister’s mandate letter commitments to strengthen and protect Canada’s democratic institutions (Democratic Institutions).

Target population: All Canadians and stakeholders affected by new or amended legislation.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The DI Secretariat supports the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs in his mandate for the non-partisan Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments. Since 2016, the Advisory Board has provided non‑binding merit-based recommendations to the Prime Minister on Senate nominations. In delivering its mandate, the Advisory Board must consider gender, Indigenous, and minority representation. Individuals are considered with a view to achieving gender balance in the Senate. 60% of the new Senators appointed in 2023-24 were women (9 of 15 Senators). Overall, as of March 31, 2024, women represented 56% of all Senators (54 out of 97 Senators, 8 seats were vacant).

Other key program impacts

The DI Secretariat leads on a variety of initiatives to protect Canada’s Democracy, including efforts to combat mis- and disinformation (MIDI). MIDI exploits and amplifies existing societal divides, increasing polarization and hindering deliberations and freedom of speech. Research shows that MIDI disproportionally affects marginalized and minority groups. The team’s focus on data generation, supporting research – and integrating these findings into policy development – supported GBA Plus using relevant data and findings and enabled the team to better target its efforts on an ongoing basis. For example, in January 2024, toolkits were published to help community leaders, elected officials, public office holders, and public servants identify and combat disinformation. Currently available in English and French, these toolkits are being translated into nine additional languages to ensure relevance to a broader range of Canada’s cultural communities.

The DI Secretariat also led policy analysis and development efforts to protect and modernize Canada’s electoral system. A GBA Plus lens was applied to this policy work to ensure that benefits accrue to diverse groups of Canadians, including women, seniors (those aged 65 or plus), new Canadians, persons with disabilities, religiously observant Canadians, rural or remote Canadians, as well as members of the diverse 2SLGBTQI+, racialized, and Indigenous communities. This GBA Plus analysis was used to inform the development of policy advice to support the introduction in March 2024 of Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, which proposes legislative amendments that seek to encourage voter participation, enhance privacy protections for Canadians, and better safeguard electoral processes.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Planning and Operation of Cabinet

Plans and Consultations (P&C)

Program goals: P&C’s work focuses on across-Government policy and implementation. It coordinates departmental policy, legislative, and Government administration proposals going to Cabinet and its committees; performs a challenge function during the policy development process; and prepares briefing materials and accompanying policy analysis to facilitate Cabinet’s decision-making process.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

To advance how departments and agencies incorporate GBA Plus into their proposed policies and programs, P&C works with lead PCO secretariats when reviewing MCs and can provide comments on GBA Plus into their proposed policies and programs. In addition, P&C surveys ministers on the usage of GBA Plus in reviewing MCs and can reflect comments into the activities of the relevant program at PCO. To advance GBA Plus considerations, PCO revised this Ministerial Survey to include more detailed questions to determine if the level of GBA Plus in MCs met Ministers’ needs.

P&C also reviews funding proposals, including for alignment with GBA Plus objectives. Its regular analysis of economic and social trends and data, which can inform policy discussion and development, reflect GBA Plus considerations were appropriate and feasible.

Progress on GBA Plus across the public service is also discussed each year at the Deputy Ministers Weekly tables, which P&C convenes.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Results, Delivery, Impact and Innovation

Results and Delivery Unit (RDU)

Program goals: The RDU focuses on across-Government policy and implementation, assisting Ministers and their respective departments to advance the implementation of key commitments and realize the best possible outcomes for Canadians.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

As its clients and lines of business are internal to Government, RDU does not provide a standard external service. RDU contributed to Government-wide leadership in the activities and support it undertakes through the tracking of Government priorities (via mandate letter commitments), which facilitate robust, disaggregated data collection (pertaining to a variety of target populations) and advancing GBA Plus and disaggregated data considerations.

Per MC guidance, policy proposals include a Results and Delivery Strategy Annex, which describes how proposals support Government priorities and expected results and performance indicators. RDU continued to provide advice and guidance to implicated departments and agencies to support the capturing of disaggregated data and inclusion of full consideration of GBA Plus to help inform results and recommended next steps.

Additionally, RDU has continued to advance GBA Plus and disaggregated data considerations via its co-chairing of the interdepartmental ADM Federal Advisory Committee on Disaggregated Data, as well as the internal PCO Assistant Secretary GBA Plus Committee.

Innovation and Impact Unit (IIU)

Program goals: The IIU uses novel public policy methods to address identified gaps in effectively translating policy objectives into meaningful and measurable outcomes for Canadians.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

PCO’s Impact Canada Initiative (ICI) continues to consider GBA Plus in the design and delivery of its programs, including Impact Canada Challenges, behavioural science projects, and the Impact Canada Fellowship program.

Key program impact statistics

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

A GBA Plus lens was applied in Challenge program design, jury member selection, and when reviewing applicants and winners of Challenges. For Impact Canada Challenge juries, which assess and recommend solutions for funding, attention was paid to recruit diverse views, experience, and expertise, ensuring better representation of women and minorities, as well as those with lived and living experience where possible.

The Impact and Innovation Unit created a GBA Plus Working Group in July 2023 to continue advancing GBA Plus capacity across its programs. Efforts included integrating GBA Plus prompts into research and project design guides, advancing accessibility guidelines, and standardising demographic measures across program areas to ensure alignment with best practices.

Impact Canada Challenges

Impact Canada challenges attracted a diverse, national, and international pool of applicants. Challenges were successful in attracting new talent and engaging non-traditional actors: among applicants, more than two thirds had never applied to government funding before. Impact Canada Challenges are designed to have a low barrier to entry as part of the application process, which focuses on outcomes and key assessment criteria and does not require extensive reporting on history, operation, plans, finances etc.  

Performance measurement of GBA Plus data was done by routinely collecting and analyzing demographic and business data captured via application forms, quasi-experimental analysis and surveys. Challenge business applicants also varied by age of the primary decision-maker, geography, size of the business, number of years in operation and industry – with participants operating in 20 different industries. 

An example of an Impact Canada Challenge that was deliberately designed using an equity lens in 2023-24 is the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge (AMRC), which launched in November of 2023. Throughout the “understand” and “design” stages of AMRC, significant and intentional efforts were made to understand the complexities of the sector and the reasons for which certain groups (including Black, Indigenous, people of color, and young producers) have been historically excluded from innovation efforts in the sector. Efforts were taken both to understand the existing underrepresentation of certain groups (e.g., diverse stakeholder interviews were conducted, and an audit of disaggregated data was performed) and to improve the measurable outcomes associated with the Challenge. Notably, the Challenge team developed a Challenge-specific GBA Plus framework which included numerous measurable outcomes. One such outcome was the recruitment of an external jury that was compliant with the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge (at least 50% of members were women and/or non-binary people and 30% were members of other equity-deserving groups). This Challenge was profiled in a public-facing blog post, which has been well and widely received. 

Impact Canada Behavioural Science program 

While the behavioural science program regularly conducts statistical analyses comparing differences across demographic groups, some programs have a more explicit focus on GBA Plus. For example, the Trust, Information and Digital Ecosystems Study (TIDES), which launched in 2023 and focuses on misinformation and trust, concentrated on the likelihood of individuals from underrepresented groups being targeted by hateful speech online. TIDES analyses also explored differences across oversampled groups on key variables, such as confidence in democracy. Further, TIDES results affirmed many of the gaps in representation identified by other internal government data, including racialized Canadians, immigrants, non-English speakers, and Quebec/Manitoba residents. These groups also demonstrated differences such as having fewer interactions with government programs and services, and lower engagement with democratic processes, which suggest potential underlying regional, linguistic and structural discrepancies and disengagement from government that will be further explored in future research.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Impact Canada Challenges

Performance measurement of GBA Plus data is done by routinely collecting data and profiling applicants by demographic and business characteristics via application forms, quasi-experimental analysis, and surveys. Challenge business applicants also vary by age of the primary decision-maker, geography, size of the business, number of years in operation, and industry – with participants operating in 20 different industries.

Impact Canada Behavioural Science program

In addition to ensuring survey samples are representative of the Canadian population on age, gender and region, the IIU Behavioural Science program strategically recruited more participants from underrepresented groups (also known as oversamples) to improve its ability to study and understand the experiences of these groups. The decisions on which groups to oversample were informed by the populations of interest identified in published literature and/or by experts.

For example, the Health, Attitudes, and Behavioural Insights Tracker (HABIT) Survey, which launched in September of 2023, oversampled 600 respondents living in Atlantic and Prairies provinces, those living in northern provincial and territorial regions across the country, and people living with a disability. The Program of Applied Research on Climate Action (PARCA), which launched in December 2022 and focuses on climate beliefs and actions, collectively oversampled over 2,000 Indigenous peoples, racialized Canadians, people with disabilities, low-income earners, and residents from rural areas, small cities, northern Canada and certain Atlantic and prairie provinces in 2023-24. The TIDES collectively oversampled over 2,000 individuals from underrepresented groups including youth, immigrants, Black Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians.

Collecting representative samples and strategic oversamples allowed for better demographic analyses, and for understanding how different groups might be experiencing or reacting to a given issue. These results are shared with IIU partners, who can incorporate these GBA Plus insights into the design of their programs and policies.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Senior Personnel and Public Service Renewal

Senior Personnel

Program goals: The Senior Personnel Secretariat (SPS) supports the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Governor in Council appointments system.

Target population: All Canadians aged 18 years and above, with continued focus on increasing representation for equity-seeking groups.

Distribution of benefits

As of March 31, 2024, 52% of Governor in Council appointees self-identified as women.

Key program impact statistics

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

The Government of Canada is committed to transparent, merit-based appointments, to help ensure that people of all gender identities, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups are reflected in leadership positions. To support this priority and monitor representation across GIC positions, SPS collects and maintains information on the diversity of GOC appointees.

GBA Plus data collection plan

This diversity information was collected through self-identification for those being recommended for appointment. The collected information cover the following categories: gender, 2SLGBTQI+, visible minorities, persons with a disability, Indigenous Peoples, bilingualism, first official language, and youth (less than 40 when appointed).

PCO continued to provide information on representation within the GIC community including on its website as well as internally to inform decision-makers and help advance government wide GBA Plus efforts.

SPS continuously looked for ways to improve the accessibility, timeliness, and usability of GIC diversity data. This included exploring the use of data visualization to produce more user-friendly information on diversity representation in the GIC community.

Public Service Renewal (PSR)

Program goals: The Public Service Renewal Secretariat (PSR) supports the Clerk of the Privy Council as Head of the Public Service. PSR is responsible for advancing the core management agenda, establishing and implementing a framework to support the renewal of the public service, and provides focused leadership and direction to address significant emerging public service-wide management and renewal issues.

Target population: Federal Public Servants

Specific demographic group outcomes

Groups that may benefit: All federal public servants, in particular those who face inequities in the workplace (e.g., Black, Indigenous, visible minority and 2SLGBTQI+ people, as well as persons with disabilities).

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts

PSR applied a GBA Plus lens primarily by undertaking engagement activities across the federal public service, including with various networks and communities (e.g., young professionals and managers networks, equity groups, federal regional councils), to inform approaches to advance the effective management and renewal of the Public Service.

Core Responsibility: Serve the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Program name: Social and Economic Policy

Program goals: PCO provides advice and support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers on a wide range of issues, including those pertaining to social, economic, regional development. PCO supports the efficient and effective functioning of Cabinet and Cabinet committees on a day-to-day basis. As part of this work, PCO coordinates departmental policy proposals going to Cabinet and its committees, performs a challenge function during the policy development process and prepares briefing materials and accompanying policy analysis to facilitate Cabinet’s decision-making process.

Target population: All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other program impacts

All policy proposals must be informed by GBA Plus and the program reviews and considers GBA Plus as part of PCO’s challenge function role.

To advance how departments and agencies incorporate GBA Plus into their proposed policies and programs, Social and Economic Policy initiated a series of improvements. These efforts included the development of tailored tools and practices including a departmental GBA Plus framework, launching a series of targeted Deep Dives to enhance PCO capacity for intersectional analysis, and leading GBA Plus training sessions and an internal GBA Plus working group for analysts.

Social and Economic Policy also began chairing a new Assistant Secretary GBA Plus Committee to support continuous improvement in applying GBA Plus.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The GBA Plus Focal Point, based in the Social Development Policy Secretariat at PCO, continued to track qualitative data on the GBA Plus comments provided through PCO’s challenge function. These comments were then analyzed for broader trends and areas of improvement to improve intersectional analysis across Government policy and program proposals.