United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals: 2022-2023 Departmental Results Report, Women and Gender Equality Canada

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Development and implementation of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Lead and coordinate the implementation of the federal GBV Strategy

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, the federal GBV Strategy and National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents for their review conferences.

Within the Canadian Indicator Framework, this programming is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Ambition: Eliminate gender-based violence and harassment
  • Ambition: Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making
  • Ambition: Canadians share responsibilities within households and families.
• Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
• Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Ambition: Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online,
  • Ambition: Canadians have equal access to justice,
  • Ambition: Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

On November 9, 2022, the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV NAP) was launched. The GBV NAP is the first federal-provincial-territorial framework to address all forms of GBV in Canada -consistent with target 5.1. The forms of GBV the GBV NAP seeks to address are inclusive of those in target 5.2 and 5.3. Built on existing federal-provincial-territorial approaches and strategies, the GBV NAP is a strategic framework for action, within and across Canadian jurisdictions, to support victims, survivors and their families, no matter where they live in Canada. It consists of five pillars and a foundation: (1) Support for victims, survivors, and their families; (2) Prevention; (3) Responsive justice system; (4) Implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and (5) social infrastructure and enabling foundation.

The 2022 Federal Budget invested $539.3 million over five years, including $525 million over four years, to support provinces and territories in their efforts to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

In 2022-23, WAGE continued to oversee the coordination, reporting and evaluation of the federal GBV Strategy. WAGE held regular discussions with federal partners to coordinate actions under the federal GBV Strategy, where possible. Through these discussions, the department maintained open communication with stakeholders and federal partners, ensuring each were meaningfully engaged. The insights from stakeholders and other government departments continue to inform the federal GBV Strategy and the implementation of the GBV NAP.

As the federal government’s contribution to the GBV NAP, the federal GBV Strategy also contributes to progress on targets 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.

In 2022, WAGE and Statistics Canada engaged with over 100 stakeholders to inform the next cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. Survey collection will take place in 2024-25 and initial results will become available in 2026.

Also in 2022-23, WAGE continued work with Statistics Canada on the Femicide Information System, a three-year project (2022-2025) that will help broaden the understanding of police-reported incidents of gender-based violence. In April 2023, Statistics Canada released the first report, Gender-related homicide of women and girls in Canada, which examined trends and characteristics of gender-related homicides and gender-related attempted murders of women and girls in Canada, including Indigenous women and girls.

In 2022-23, WAGE continued to distribute the $300 million in committed COVID-19 emergency funding for organizations supporting people experiencing GBV. Since April 2020, this funding reached over 1,400 organizations, resulting in more than 2 million individuals experiencing violence having access to supports across Canada. Organizations used the funding to address a range of urgent needs during the pandemic, for example:

• More than 550 organizations used the funding to deliver important programs or services.
• Nearly 500 organizations used the funding for additional staff or overtime; 448 organizations hired new staff.
• More than 430 organizations used the funding for communications and outreach purposes.

WAGE also continued to implement the $30 million provided in Budget 2021 for crisis hotlines to serve the urgent needs of more Canadians experiencing GBV. By March 31, 2023, nine bilateral agreements were signed with provincial and territorial governments to distribute funding to existing crisis hotlines within their jurisdictions.

Lead a coordinated whole-of-government approach to promote a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other factors, which will result in more responsive federal policies and programs that systematically consider the needs of different groups of people.

Through the strengthened application of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) across the federal government, this programming is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on all targets within the UN Global Indicator Framework under SDG5:

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
• Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
• Target 5. a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
• Target 5. b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
• Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

Within the Canadian Indicator Framework, it is therefore likely to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Ambition: Eliminate gender-based violence and harassment
  • Ambition: Gender equality in leadership roles at all levels of decision making
  • Ambition: Canadians share responsibilities within households and families.
• Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
• Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality housing
• Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Ambition: Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online, Ambition: Canadians have equal access to justice,
  • Ambition: Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

Note: In addition, the application of GBA Plus helps ensure that all policies, programs, and legislation are more responsive to the needs of different groups of women, men and gender-diverse individuals. As such, strengthening GBA+ application across the federal government may also support Canada’s efforts to advance other sustainable development goals.

Target 5.1: Budget 2022 committed to establish a Menstrual Equity Fund pilot. To ensure the pilot complemented other federal initiatives, and a coordinated approach to communication and other activities, WAGE engaged with other federal departments involved in advancing menstrual equity, including:

• Indigenous Services Canada
• Health Canada
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Global Affairs Canada

Over the 2022-23 fiscal year, WAGE worked with federal partners to promote a greater understanding of GBA Plus as an intersectional analysis to inform the development and implementation of responsive and inclusive federal initiatives. For example, to support the implementation of WAGE’s new 2021 tools on GBA Plus, WAGE and the Canada School of Public Service delivered the “Gender-Based Analysis Plus: Applying Tools and Best Practices.”  In the 2022-23 fiscal year, 13 trainings sessions were delivered by CSPS to 218 federal public servants.

Furthermore, in April 2022, CSPS launched the “Introduction to Gender-based Analysis Plus” course on its learning platform for federal public servants. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, the CSPS released close to 7,000 certificates of completion and WAGE released 28,142 certificates of completion for this same course available on its platform for those outside of the public service.

In addition to strengthening the application of GBA Plus, WAGE provided leadership and technical advice to key partners responsible for the application of GBA Plus in decision-making. In 2022-23 this work included:

• Supporting the integration of GBA Plus with other government priorities including through working with central agencies on efforts to better incorporate quality of life measurements into government decision-making and budgeting.
• Providing advice with respect to the mandatory GBA Plus assessments undertaken by other federal departments as part of their memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions.
• Working with Finance Canada and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to improve the quality, scope, and implementation of GBA Plus in all the phases of the budgeting cycle as per the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act.
• Integrating considerations of gender, income, age and other identity factors as part of WAGE responsibilities under the Impact Assessment Act; and
• Providing ongoing guidance and support to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as part of efforts to design and implement an Integrated Climate Lens.

In line with the 2021 mandate letter commitments, WAGE leads the engagement process of GBA Plus with the goal of enhancing the framing and parameters of this analytical tool, with particular attention to intersectional analysis, so that it better reflects the lived experiences of all people in Canada. In this regard, WAGE has engaged with stakeholders and partners and will continue to do so, to ensure perspectives and lived experiences from diverse groups continue to inform the process moving forward.

Promote community action through commemoration initiatives such as International Women’s Day, Gender Equality Week, Women’s History Month, International Day of the Girl, Persons Day, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

These commemorative initiatives are expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on all targets within the UN Global Indicator Framework related to SDG5.

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
• Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
• Target 5. b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
• Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

Within the Canadian Indicator Framework, these commemorative initiatives are expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Ambition: Eliminate gender-based violence and harassment
  • Ambition: Gender equality in leadership roles at all levels of decision making
  • Ambition: Canadians share responsibilities within households and families.
• Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
• Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Ambition: Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online, Ambition: Canadians have equal access to justice,
  • Ambition: Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

Prominent events such as Gender Equality Week, Women's History Month, the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV and Pride Season in 2022, and International Women's Day in March 2023, were actively promoted across WAGE's communication channels. The themes and messaging were coordinated with Government of Canada departments and agencies, fostering a cohesive approach to amplifying key messages, and supporting the objectives of each commemoration.

Development and implementation of a federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, this plan is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
• Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

Within the Canadian Indicator Framework, this plan is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Ambition: Eliminate gender-based violence and harassment
  • Ambition: Gender equality in leadership roles at all levels of decision making
• Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
• Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Ambition: Canadians have access to quality housing
• Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Ambition: Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online, Ambition: Canadians have equal access to justice,
  • Ambition: Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

On August 28, 2022, the Government of Canada launched Canada’s fist Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The Action Plan’s ultimate objective is to advance and rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.

In 2022-2023, WAGE achieved the following key results in advancing its commitments under the Action Plan:

Priority 1 – Prioritize and sustain 2SLGBTQI+ community action

• -March 2023: Launched call for proposals for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund

Priority 3 - Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence

Priority 4- Engage everyone in Canada in fostering a 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive future

• -WAGE launched public opinion research

Priority 6 - Embed 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada

• -WAGE Implemented and held several meetings of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community and Government of Canada Partnership Committee to engage with 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations on the Action Plan’s priorities and on broader 2SLGBTQI+ issues
• -WAGE completed four Canada Pride Citation Ceremonies for Federal Public Servants who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the federal government in what has come to be known as the “LGBT Purge”  

The 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat also monitored progress and reported on the implementation of Action Plan commitments federal partners; notably those that seek to protect 2SLGBTQI+ rights, through legislative reform.

In 2022-23, WAGE launched the Call for Proposals for the $12.7 million 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund, announced in Budget 2021. The Fund supported 39 projects, which will support community-informed projects that address key issues facing 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Develop and deliver programming to support projects that address systemic barriers to gender equality and to support the capacity and sustainability of women’s and equality-seeking organizations.

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, this programming is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
• Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
• Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• Target 8.9: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.

Projects funded by the Women’s Program in 2022-23 worked to improve the economic security and prosperity of women and girls, encourage women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles and end violence against women and girls through systemic change.

Throughout 2022-23, the Women’s Program continued to fund and support 237 systemic change projects under the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund.

Development and implementation of a federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, this plan is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
• Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• Target 8.9: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.

On August 28, 2022, the Government of Canada launched Canada’s fist Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The Action Plan’s ultimate objective is to advance and rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.

In 2022-2023, WAGE achieved the following key results in advancing its commitments under the Action Plan:

Priority 1 – Prioritize and sustain 2SLGBTQI+ community action

• -March 2023: Launched call for proposals for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund

Priority 3 - Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence

Priority 4- Engage everyone in Canada in fostering a 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive future

• -WAGE launched public opinion research

Priority 6 - Embed 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada

• -WAGE Implemented and held several meetings of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community and Government of Canada Partnership Committee to engage with 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations on the Action Plan’s priorities and on broader 2SLGBTQI+ issues
• -WAGE completed four Canada Pride Citation Ceremonies for Federal Public Servants who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the federal government in what has come to be known as the “LGBT Purge”

The 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat also monitored progress and reported on the implementation of Action Plan commitments federal partners; notably those that seek to protect 2SLGBTQI+ rights, through legislative reform.

In 2022-23, WAGE launched the Call for Proposals for the $12.7 million 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund, announced in Budget 2021. The Fund supported 39 projects, which will support community-informed projects that address key issues facing 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Development and implementation of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Lead and coordinate the implementation of the federal GBV Strategy

Develop and deliver programming to support projects that address systemic barriers to gender equality and to support the capacity and sustainability of women’s and equality-seeking organizations, including 2SLGBTQI+ organizations.

Lead a coordinated whole-of-government approach to promote a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other factors, which will result in more responsive federal policies and programs that systematically consider the needs of different groups of people.

Development and implementation of a federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, the federal GBV Strategy and National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status;
• 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
• 10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality

On November 9, 2022, the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV NAP) was launched. The GBV NAP is the first federal-provincial-territorial framework to address GBV in Canada. Built on existing federal-provincial-territorial approaches and strategies, it is a strategic framework for action, within and across jurisdictions, to support victims, survivors and their families, no matter where they live.

The Federal Budget 2022 invested $539.3 million, including $525 million over four years, to support the provinces and territories in their efforts to implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

The GBV NAP uses a common vision, principles, goals, and a foundation as the basis for the work to end GBV in Canada. Working across five pillars, the GBV NAP aims to address the social and economic determinants that contribute to and perpetuate GBV, ultimately reducing gender inequities.

In 2022-23, WAGE continued to oversee the coordination, reporting and evaluation of the federal GBV Strategy. In fiscal year 2022-23, WAGE held regular discussions with federal partners to coordinate actions under the federal GBV Strategy, where possible. Through these discussions, the department maintained open communication with stakeholders and federal partners, ensuring each were meaningfully engaged. The insights from stakeholders and other government departments continue to inform the federal GBV Strategy and the implementation of the GBV NAP.

Projects funded by the Women’s Program in 2022-23 worked to improve the economic security and prosperity of women and girls, encourage women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles and end violence against women and girls through systemic change.

Throughout 2022-23, the Women’s Program continued to fund and support 237 systemic change projects under the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund.

GBA Plus is an analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs and other initiatives withing Canada. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue, identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted, and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. Therefore, GBA Plus impacts government initiatives by addressing ongoing or emerging challenges that stand in the way of equality, fairness, and inclusion, including those to advance gender equality. Actions to implement GBA Plus are under SDG 5.

SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Development and implementation of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Lead and coordinate the implementation of the federal GBV Strategy

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, the GBV Strategy and National Action Plan to end GBV are expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

On November 9, 2022, the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV NAP) was launched. The GBV NAP is the first federal-provincial-territorial framework to address all forms of GBV in Canada -consistent with target 16.1. The forms of GBV the GBV NAP seeks to address are related to those in target 16.2.

In 2022-23, WAGE continued to oversee the coordination, reporting and evaluation of the federal GBV Strategy. WAGE held regular discussions with federal partners to coordinate actions under the federal GBV Strategy, where possible. Through these discussions, the department maintained open communication with stakeholders and federal partners, ensuring each were meaningfully engaged. The insights from stakeholders and other government departments continue to inform the federal GBV Strategy and the implementation of the GBV NAP.

As the federal government’s contribution to the GBV NAP, the federal GBV Strategy also contributes to progress on targets 16.1 and 16.2.

Develop and deliver programming to support projects that address systemic barriers to gender equality and to support the capacity and sustainability of women’s and equality-seeking organizations

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, this programming is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

In 2022-23, WAGE continued to distribute the $300 million in committed COVID-19 emergency funding for organizations supporting those experiencing GBV. Since April 2020, this funding reached over 1,400 organizations, resulting in more than 2 million individuals experiencing violence having access to supports across Canada. Organizations used the funding to address a range of urgent needs during the pandemic, for example:

• More than 550 organizations used the funding to deliver important programs or services.
• Nearly 500 organizations used the funding for additional staff or overtime; 448 organizations hired new staff.
• More than 430 organizations used the funding for communications and outreach purposes.

WAGE also continued to implement the $30 million provided in Budget 2021 for crisis hotlines to serve the urgent needs of more Canadians experiencing GBV. By March 31, 2023, nine bilateral agreements were signed with provincial and territorial governments to distribute funding to existing crisis hotlines within their jurisdictions.

Development and implementation of a federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Within the UN’s Global Indicator Framework, this plan is expected to contribute, either directly or indirectly, to progress on:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
• Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

On August 28, 2022, the Government of Canada launched Canada’s fist Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The Action Plan’s ultimate objective is to advance and rights and equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.

In 2022-2023, WAGE achieved the following key results in advancing its commitments under the Action Plan:

Priority 1 – Prioritize and sustain 2SLGBTQI+ community action

• March 2023: Launched call for proposals for the 2SLGBTQI+ Community Capacity Fund

Priority 3 - Support Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ resilience and resurgence

Priority 4- Engage everyone in Canada in fostering a 2SLGBTQI+ inclusive future

• -WAGE launched public opinion research

Priority 6 - Embed 2SLGBTQI+ issues in the work of the Government of Canada

• -WAGE Implemented and held several meetings of the 2SLGBTQI+ Community and Government of Canada Partnership Committee to engage with 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations on the Action Plan’s priorities and on broader 2SLGBTQI+ issues.
• -WAGE completed four Canada Pride Citation Ceremonies for Federal Public Servants who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the federal government in what has come to be known as the “LGBT Purge.”

The 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat also monitored progress and reported on the implementation of Action Plan commitments federal partners; notably those that seek to protect 2SLGBTQI+ rights, through legislative reform

In 2022-23, WAGE launched the Call for Proposals for the $12.7 million 2SLGBTQI+ Projects Fund, announced in Budget 2021. The Fund supported 39 projects, which will support community-informed projects that address key issues facing 2SLGBTQI+ communities.