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Public Services and Procurement Canada
2025 to 2026 Departmental Plan: Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional gender-based analysis plus governance and capacity

Governance

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has a gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) champion, and a responsibility centre situated within its strategic policy unit to provide oversight, direction and promotion of GBA Plus across the department.

In addition, PSPC’s GBA Plus community of practice supports the consistent, rigorous and robust implementation of GBA Plus across the department's programs and services. The community of practice includes representatives from all of the department's branches and regions. Representatives from the GBA Plus community of practice share information, exchange best practices and meet to discuss issues related to the implementation of GBA Plus at PSPC.

Capacity

Together, the PSPC GBA Plus responsibility centre and community of practice:

Section 2: Highlights of gender-based analysis plus results reporting capacity by program

PSPC has 5 core responsibilities (including 20 programs) supported by internal services.

In this section

Core responsibility 1: Purchase of goods and services

The gender-based analysis plus information related to the program under this core responsibility is detailed below.

Procurement Program

This program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The program applies GBA Plus within the context of procurement policy and tools development. PSPC will continue the delivery of its training course on how to apply a GBA Plus approach to procurement using the step-by-step methodology.

In 2025 to 2026, procurement modernization and supplier inclusivity initiatives will continue to target improved opportunities for underrepresented groups to participate in the federal government supply chain, and the removal of barriers to participation, including for persons with disabilities. As an example, the initiative to increase the participation of Black entrepreneurs and businesses within PSPC-led procurements is being developed in direct collaboration with the Black business community.

Data on suppliers will continue to be collected under the Procurement Program through a questionnaire embedded within the Electronic Procurement Solution (EPS), which has benefitted from various efficiency and functional improvements since its launch. This platform will bolster PSPC’s capacity to collect bidder information data, to better assess gender and diversity in its procurement activities. Information gathered through EPS will continue to capture socio-economic data from businesses, and allow them to self-identify as belonging to one or more of the following equity-deserving groups:

In addition, PSPC is also continuing to focus on engagement and outreach with Indigenous and other underrepresented communities to raise awareness of procurement opportunities, as well as support available through federal programs and services. Through fiscal year 2025 to 2026, PSPC will continue to advance its mandate by developing and implementing initiatives to increase participation and inclusion of Indigenous businesses in federal procurement, including guidance on Modern Treaty procurement obligations, the use of the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses, Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs), and updating methods of supply.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Procurement Program.

Core responsibility 2: Payments and accounting

The gender-based analysis plus information related to the programs under this core responsibility is detailed below.

Cape Breton Operations: Human Resources Legacy Benefits

Cape Breton Operations (CBO) collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report on program impacts related to gender and diversity.

The directorate maintains a database of all former Cape Breton Development Corporation (CBDC) employees (and their spouses) who receive various legacy benefits, including medical and life insurance and workers compensation payments, stemming from past collective agreements. The recipients are predominantly lower income, senior males who reside in the Cape Breton regional municipality, Nova Scotia.

An additional legacy benefit program that CBO administers is a domestic coal program, which provides coal for home heating to eligible former CBDC employees and their surviving spouses. This benefit was also ratified through collective agreements and is a vested right of the former employees.

CBO is currently exploring alternatives to providing coal to ensure better alignment with the Government of Canada’s ambitious environmental commitments. The majority of the coal program recipients are low income seniors in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, in addition to other government funded assistance programs.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Cape Breton Operations - HR Legacy Benefits.

Federal Pay Administration

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and report on the program impacts.

The program currently collects data from the Phoenix pay system, including employees’:

This allows the program to analyze the pay cases queue and the backlog based on these demographic factors. This demographic data is also used to analyze escalated cases and access to services for employees.

The program tracks Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) questions relating to pay issues and reports on them. While participation in the PSES is voluntary and self-reported, the additional demographic data it collects (such as race, gender, sexuality, and disability) gives the program further information on how groups are affected by the Pay Administration program. It should be noted that this PSES data cannot be correlated with case data.

The program has developed a GBA Plus strategy to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to GBA Plus across its activities, business lines, and branches, which may result in the collection of additional data to support analysis of program impacts. The range of data to be collected will be broad given the breadth of the work and will be dependent on the nature of the initiatives whose development is being informed by GBA Plus. For example, an initiative seeking to test a new tool may generate disaggregated data about people’s experiences testing the new tool, which could inform changes to the tool design to remove barriers for a certain subset of users. This shared vision would identify key enablers to assist with the implementation and achieve results.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Federal Pay Administration.

Federal Pension Administration

This program collects sufficient data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Receiver General and Pension Branch Pension program conducts client service feedback surveys to measure plan members’ satisfaction with the services provided by the Government of Canada pension centre and the program’s online pension portal. The survey allows respondents to self-identify based on gender and as members of the following groups: Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. The data gathered through surveys enables the program to evaluate current services and identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.

In June 2024, marking a significant advancement in its online services, the program launched updated pension web portals for active members of the public service, Canadian Armed Forces, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension plans. These portals aim to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 level A and AA standards, ensuring that content and online services are accessible to individuals with various disabilities.

As the Pension program transitions to a digital-first service delivery model, ongoing engagement with members will gather feedback to inform future process and service delivery enhancements. The next phase of web renewal, an accessible web portal for retired members and an external access solution, will leverage a user-centered design approach and engage users in usability testing.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Federal pension Administration.

Government-Wide Accounting and Reporting

This program does not collect data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Public Accounts of Canada is the annual financial report to Canadians covering the fiscal year of the Government, ending March 31. The Receiver General (the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada), as the government’s accountant, is responsible for preparing and publishing the report. Sections 63, 64, and 65 of the Financial Administration Act provide the Receiver General with the authority to maintain accounts, to prepare the Public Accounts and to request financial information from departments and agencies.

As part of the provision of its public accounts services and in line with its mandate, the Receiver General does not gather demographic information on individuals.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Government-Wide Accounting and Reporting.

Payments Instead of Property Taxes to Local Governments

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Payments Instead of Property Taxes to Local Governments Program (PILT) issues payments to taxing authorities under the authority of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act. Local governments receive payments in recognition of the services they provide to federal property located in their jurisdictions because the Government of Canada is exempt from taxation. The objective of the program is to provide fair and equitable administration of payments to taxing authorities on behalf of federal custodian departments and agencies. Taxing authorities manage the payments to fund municipal programs, services and infrastructure. As such, PSPC cannot assess the impact on gender and diversity with regards to PILT payments.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Payments Instead of Property Taxes to Local Governments.

Payments and Revenue Collection

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Receiver General is a service provider to Government of Canada departments and agencies that manage individual programs. Those departments and agencies determine the entitlement of recipients to benefits, or the requirement for Canadians to remit funds to the Government of Canada. The Receiver General does not gather demographic information on these individuals as part of the provision of its payment services.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Payments and Revenue Collection.

Core responsibility 3: Property and infrastructure

The gender-based analysis plus information related to the programs under this core responsibility is detailed below.

Cape Breton Operations: Portfolio Management

Cape Breton Operations collects data in relation to its real property portfolio program to enable it to monitor and/or report on impacts related to gender and diversity. The portfolio management program is focused on divesting of land deemed surplus to federal operational requirements, including open market land transfers and resolving property encroachment issues, prioritized by importance and urgency.

The program has prioritized land transfers to local First Nations, stemming from the implementation of a portfolio based consultation and accommodation agreement. Other areas of the portfolio program include facilities management and land acquisition related to the mine water treatment program. Efforts will continue to further assess the impacts on gender and diversity in the continued delivery of these programs.

With support from the Atlantic Region’s Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) team, CBO continues to undertake efforts to diversify its supply chain. The goal is to increase the number of equity-deserving groups that could provide services to the directorate, with a focus on Indigenous-led businesses. This initiative supports PSPC’s ongoing efforts to increase representation in Government of Canada contracting practices and aims to address systemic inequalities related to gender in addition to a variety of identity factors including race, ethnicity and disability.

The Atlantic Region has put in place an Indigenous coordinator who is responsible for reviewing and revamping the procurement tools in the region to expand on Indigenous participation. CBO continues to work closely with this coordinator to ensure that procurement processes are aligned with these new tools and procedures.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Cape Breton Operations - Portfolio Management.

Federal Accommodation and Infrastructure

This program collects sufficient data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

PSPC is contributing to Government efforts to tackle the housing crisis by working with federal organizations to repurpose underutilized assets and streamline the disposal process to expedite access to affordable housing options. PSPC will collaborate with impacted groups, agencies, and communities to better understand the diverse housing needs of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, youth, Black and racialized communities, women, newcomers, persons with disabilities, seniors, and Indigenous Peoples.

PSPC is leading efforts to improve accessibility within the government’s built environment, ensuring that office spaces and facilities are inclusive and accessible to all Canadians. The real property services’ Accessibility and Inclusivity Office (AIO) conducts technical assessments of PSPC’s Crown-owned properties to identify areas for improvement and ensures they meet or exceed the latest accessibility standards.

In 2025 to 2026, PSPC will continue fulfilling its obligations under the Accessible Canada Act. The department will implement the GCworkplace Accessibility and Inclusivity Guide, which sets clear and consistent standards for accessibility in all GCworkplace fit-up and accommodation projects. This guide ensures that every new construction or major renovation aligns with Canada’s goal of a barrier-free environment by 2040, as outlined in the Accessible Canada Act. Additionally, PSPC will focus on optimizing its office portfolio to provide client departments with inclusive, accessible workspaces that are modern, technology-driven, secure, and sustainable, while ensuring that these workspaces respond to evolving work arrangements.

Universal accessibility is a key design principle guiding the modernization and renovation of the department’s properties. By considering accessibility at every stage of the design process, the goal is to create spaces that not only meet current standards but are inclusive for everyone. Features may include tactile signage for the visually impaired, better exterior lighting for security, barrier-free entrances, accessible elevators, and inclusive washrooms. The designs will also prioritize easy navigation, comfort, and safety, ensuring an inclusive experience for all users, regardless of ability.

To support PSPC’s commitment to improving accessibility for everyone, the department will implement the PSPC Inclusive Washroom Design Guide. This guide sets out minimum requirements and key guidelines for designing inclusive washroom facilities in new construction, major renovations, and modernization projects, ensuring compliance with relevant codes and standards. Its goal is to promote the consistent application of best practices in inclusive design, meet the diverse needs of users, and ensure that PSPC washrooms reflect the social and cultural diversity of the workplace.

PSPC will continue implementing a program of work to ensure that menstrual products are readily accessible in over 8,600 washrooms across its national portfolio. This initiative supports employers responsible for PSPC's custodial assets in meeting the recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code, which mandate that all federally regulated workplaces provide free access to menstrual products. PSPC will promote equitable access to essential hygiene products, enhance the comfort and well-being of all employees and visitors, and set a standard of inclusivity across federal workplaces.

PSPC will also implement the Indigenous Cultural Practices in the Workplace Guide, which aims to empower employees responsible for managing, leasing, or designing office spaces to actively support Indigenous cultural practices and integrate them respectfully into workplaces. This guide will foster understanding, particularly around practices involving smoke and odour, such as smudging and qulliq lamp lighting, while ensuring compliance with fire, building codes, and health and safety requirements. By addressing common barriers and dispelling misconceptions, the guide will be an essential resource for creating inclusive spaces where Indigenous ceremonies can be conducted openly and respectfully.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Federal Accommodation and Infrastructure.

Parliament Hill and Surroundings

This program collects sufficient data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Long Term Vision and Plan (LTVP) for the Parliamentary Precinct has integrated a GBA Plus lens to ensure inclusive, accessible infrastructure and services that meet the needs of diverse populations, including youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

The restoration and modernization of the Centre Block and construction of the new Parliament Welcome Centre and surrounding landscape is the largest heritage project undertaken in Canada, and one of the largest globally. As an almost 100-year-old building, the Centre Block requires a stem to stern overhaul to meet modern codes and the needs of a 21st century Parliament. The project also aims to demonstrate leadership in sustainability, accessibility, and heritage restoration.

In response to the March 2023 Auditor General of Canada audit on the Centre Block rehabilitation project, PSPC conducted a GBA Plus assessment focused on the public spaces in the Centre Block. The report found that the project incorporated numerous leading practices, including robust, ongoing consultations with Indigenous rightsholders and partners, as well as accessibility experts, organizations, and persons with disabilities. It also noted the integration of universal accessibility best practices upgrades, quiet spaces for reflection, caregiving, and chest-feeding.

The Centre Block is also pursuing gold certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation, ensuring that accessibility features such as accessible parking, transit access, and visual and audible fire alarms are included in both public and private areas.

In 2024, recognizing the importance of GBA Plus, the department went beyond the recommendations of the Auditor General by conducting a GBA Plus assessment of the LTVP. The report concluded that the LTVP will result in more accessible buildings and a parliamentary campus that better reflects Canada's evolving demographics. It also highlighted the potential for increased participation of vulnerable groups through targeted recruitment and procurement strategies.

To further support inclusivity, PSPC is implementing the Parliamentary Precinct Universal Accessibility Strategy and Action Plan, which guarantees that all sites and buildings are accessible. This includes features such as universal washrooms, family-friendly accommodations, and barrier-free access. PSPC is also dedicated to finding innovative solutions to balance heritage conservation with universal accessibility, such as incorporating auditory signals for individuals with visual impairments, while minimizing sensory overload for neurodiverse individuals.

The LTVP program continues to prioritize reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by integrating Indigenous perspectives into design and planning. This involves engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, including the Algonquin Anishinàbe as the host nation. PSPC will also continue to develop strategies to enhance Indigenous economic participation by leveraging IPPs in contracts.

Laboratories Canada program

The Laboratories Canada program aims to develop world-class, innovative research facilities that position Canada at the forefront of new scientific discoveries. The program follows the Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework, which incorporates universal design principles to ensure that all laboratory settings are accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, ability, gender identity, or socio-economic background. The framework emphasizes flexibility, safety, comfort, and inclusivity in the design of these facilities.

PSPC ensures that Indigenous engagement and Indigenous economic participation remain key areas of focus within the Laboratories Canada program. The program continues to include IPPs in contracts for major projects. The program focuses on leveraging IPP requirements to provide greater opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in the construction and development of research facilities.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Parliament Hill and Surroundings.

Real Property Services

This program collects sufficient data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

This program provides real property services on a fee‑for‑service basis to PSPC’s Federal Accommodation and Infrastructure and Parliament Hill and Surroundings programs, as well as to other federal organizations.

PSPC remains committed to ensuring that all new real property initiatives incorporate accessibility standards alongside Indigenous and diversity considerations. The department is actively working to integrate these commitments into existing major contracts, fostering inclusivity and cultural respect across all projects. PSPC will also continue to closely monitor, track, and report on service contracts for the management of large facilities, confirming they align with accessibility standards and contain Indigenous and diversity components.

To ensure ongoing progress toward the goal of awarding at least 5% of contract values to Indigenous-led and managed businesses, PSPC plans to deploy the Indigenous businesses and procurement mapping tool to assist property and facility managers to engage with Indigenous suppliers. This initiative would identify all Indigenous businesses registered in the Indigenous Business Directory, which are located near Crown-owned and lease purchase buildings, federal infrastructure and contaminated sites, and determine the commodities that they offer. In addition, PSPC will continue to share procurement opportunities and maintain clear communication with Indigenous communities and the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Real Property Services.

Core responsibility 4: Government-wide support

The gender-based analysis plus information related to the programs under this core responsibility is detailed below.

Asset Disposal

The Asset Disposal program provides federal organizations, law enforcement and Crown prosecutors with efficient and innovative seized and surplus asset management solutions, related advice and timely disposal services. Asset disposal services are managed through 2 main programs: GCSurplus and Seized Property Management.

The GCSurplus program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts.

The program currently collects data from online registrations that includes:

This allows the program to monitor program impacts based on demographic factors. The program will continue to identify opportunities for consultation to ensure that initiatives are inclusive and meet the needs of stakeholders.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Asset Disposal.

Canadian General Standards Board

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Canadian General Standards Board administers the standards development process and publishes National Standards of Canada, which are written by technical committees of experts from across the country. Historically, national standards were written largely as product specifications. However, there are standards that have a greater impact directly on people versus products, such as translation services, personnel certification, or responsible business conduct.

The national standards system as a whole (led by the Standards Council of Canada) has been actively working towards ensuring that the system can better incorporate gender neutral terminology, involve a more diverse selection of technical committee members, and be inclusive in the overall approach to developing national standards.

The Standards Council of Canada has recently announced new requirements for accredited standards development organizations. As such, organizations like the Canadian General Standards Board are now required to have a process in place to develop gender responsive standards. Impacted organizations will have 2 years to adapt to this new requirement, and the Canadian General Standards Board is currently working to identify training opportunities and best practices to implement this change.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Canadian General Standards Board.

Information Services

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The program (advertising, public opinion research, Canada Gazette, publications and the copyright media clearance program) provides advisory and technical services to government departments and agencies, which plan and implement these communications initiatives.

Two of the program business lines, copyright media clearance program and public opinion research, support clients on an ongoing basis to ensure their environmental analysis activities take into consideration a range of elements related to GBA Plus.

PSPC is also working in conjunction with partners to enhance the accessibility components of its tools and websites and promoting policies and best practices to support efforts by departments to provide publications in an accessible format.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Information Services.

Document Imaging Services

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

This program converts paper-based materials to electronic formats. The users of the documents are client departments and agencies, which plan and implement related initiatives.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Document Imaging Services.

Government-wide Corporate Services

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The program provides federal organizations with high quality, timely and accessible services, tools and systems for travel, information management, and business processes. It allows federal organizations to adopt modern, consolidated, systems-based standard business processes, which can reduce administrative or back-office costs, enhance employee productivity, and reduce overall government spending on internal services.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Government-wide Corporate Services.

Linguistic services

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Translation Bureau provides translation and interpretation services in Indigenous languages, and continuously works towards increasing the number of Indigenous freelancers, growing the number of combinations of Indigenous languages, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and building partnerships with Indigenous organizations. The number of requests for translation and interpretation in Indigenous languages are tracked, which can help monitor and evaluate demand as well as the impact of this service.

The Translation Bureau continues to work with partners to provide sign language interpretation in American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) at high-visibility events. It also offers additional services to help the public service ensure access to information to Canadians who are deaf, deafblind and deafened, and whose primary language of communication is ASL or LSQ.

The Translation Bureau also regularly updates the Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology, promotes and provides training on the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing to ensure that Canadians have access to the latest linguistic resources on gender-inclusive writing in both official languages.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Linguistic services.

Security and Oversight Services

This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The program interacts mostly with entities (businesses and corporations) that the government does business with. The program is committed to only collecting personal information that is necessary to determine whether a supplier meets the Government of Canada’s supplier integrity and compliance requirements. There are no plans to collect personal information from suppliers.

Information specifically addressing gender metrics for registered individuals and organizations of the Controlled Goods Program is limited. The program is awaiting a new information technology solution that would enable improved data capture, mining, and reporting on GBA Plus metrics, for example, gender and age.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Security and Oversight Services.

Service Management

The Service Management program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The program does, however, track completion of GBA Plus assessments by individual service lines.

The Service Management program enables the centralized functions of the department to meet the requirements of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s policy on Service and Digital. The Service Management program enables the designated service official to deliver programs of work, and data for departmental service results reporting.

The requirement and ability to monitor and/or report on the program’s impacts by gender and diversity will be assessed on a regular basis.

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Service Management.

Core responsibility 5: Procurement Ombud

The gender-based analysis plus information related to the program under this core responsibility is detailed below.

Procurement Ombud

This program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Office of the Procurement Ombud (OPO) is a neutral and independent organization of the Government of Canada that works collaboratively with federal departments and Canadian businesses to promote fairness, openness and transparency in federal procurement. OPO’s ongoing commitment to GBA Plus data collection includes:

Additional information related to this program is available on GC InfoBase: Infographic for Procurement Ombud.

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2025-06-24