Gender-Based Analysis Plus
2022-23 Departmental Plan
Institutional GBA Plus Capacity
Governance
In 2022-23, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) will continue to implement Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) principles to ensure that its activities help foster fair outcomes for diverse groups of women, men, and people with other gender identities. The "plus" highlights that the intersectional analysis goes beyond gender, and includes the examination of a range of other intersecting identity factors.
The GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (CoE) is the first point of contact for DFO program areas seeking assistance with GBA Plus and is situated in the Strategic Policy Sector. The CoE consists of one full-time and one part-time employee to assist with all GBA Plus initiatives. The CoE’s responsibilities include:
- Supporting the Department's GBA Plus Co-Champions;
- Increasing GBA Plus capacity within DFO by raising awareness and offering tools, information sessions, training, and resources to help DFO officials better understand GBA Plus and how to integrate it into their work;
- Providing advice and guidance on incorporating GBA Plus into specific initiatives undertaken by DFO colleagues;
- Ensuring the Department’s Memoranda to Cabinet process, Treasury Board Submissions, and Budget Asks are reviewed for GBA Plus integration; and
- Liaising across the Department and with other government departments to foster consistent, high quality, and coordinated approaches to GBA Plus across the federal government.
Planned Initiatives
Planned initiatives for 2022-23 will focus on enhancing three areas including governance; training, resources, and reporting; and data. Specific initiatives include the establishment of a DFO GBA Plus network of gender focal points across DFO to advise on GBA Plus progress, activities, and tools, and help raise awareness of GBA Plus across the Department. The launch of an Intranet site and a series of training sessions across regions, sectors, and functional areas will be undertaken to continue to build capacity and awareness. A user-needs assessment will also be undertaken as part of a stock-taking exercise to assess current capacity and available data and research to support GBA Plus in order to inform GBA Plus priority setting.
The Department's GBA Plus Co-Champions will continue to actively encourage officials' participation in capacity-building activities and promote new ways to improve GBA Plus in key areas of work.
Overall, DFO is on track to improve the departmental culture with respect to the implementation of GBA Plus and is committed to ensuring equitable outcomes of DFO services and investments for all Canadians.
Highlights of GBA Plus Results Reporting Capacity by Program
P01-Fisheries Management
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The Department collects, holds, and is able to obtain certain data related to the fishing industry. This data is housed outside of the Fisheries Management program.
P02-Aboriginal Programs and Treaties
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. At this time, the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) is the only Aboriginal Programs and Treaties (APT) program that tracks GBA Plus statistics. Through its multi-year approach to Indigenous program renewal, including focused investment in a dedicated Indigenous-led Capacity Development team, APT will build on the AICFI model and ensure that all Indigenous commercial and collaborative programs monitor and report relevant GBA Plus statistics.
Also under APT, the Reconciliation Agreement program and Treaty-Related Measures program, which support Indigenous communities in implementing reconciliation agreements and/or treaty-related measures with respect to fisheries access and/or management, do not collect GBA Plus data; however, GBA Plus assessments are completed during the development of negotiation mandates.
P03-Aquaculture Management
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. While there generally is a gender bias in natural resource sectors with men making up a majority of the workforce, the program does not create any further barriers nor reinforce existing gender imbalances.
As there are currently no data sources that adequately describe the gendered participation rate of Indigenous women and men in fisheries and aquaculture activities, including harvesting, processing and other industry activities, the lack of data prevents Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) from effectively tracking the gendered impacts of its programming and treaty/reconciliation negotiations and implementation work. Due to this lack of adequate data, it is difficult to conclude how the aquaculture program could create barriers to other Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups.
Going forward, the program will work with DFO’s Access to Information and Privacy team (and others) to develop methods to collect and protect sensitive data to further GBA Plus analysis.
P04-Salmonid Enhancement
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) is an operational program that produces salmon at hatcheries to contribute to salmon stock conservation and fisheries rebuilding. The outcomes /positive impacts from SEP are intended for all Canadians. Program data collected is biological and salmon focussed. Gender and diversity based outcomes for Canadians are best captured through fisheries management outcomes and data.
P05-International Engagement
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. GBA Plus is not relevant to Ocean Policy elements of the program, which is focused on conservation and sustainable ocean governance. While GBA Plus considerations can be embedded into Canadian negotiating positions, as outcomes are generally adopted by dozens/hundreds of countries, reporting on gender and diversity impacts is impossible.
P06-Small Craft Harbours
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The Small Craft Harbours (SCH) program will continue to collect, refine, and analyze data relative to core small craft harbour users and the impacts of these harbours on the local communities, as necessary. Greater data sources, especially related to disaggregated data with gender and other intersectional identify factors, will assist the Department in continuing to make evidence-based decisions related to repairs and maintenance. The Department will monitor regional distribution of projects. It will review its existing data holdings for possible disaggregation of data that would further support its GBA Plus analysis by March 31, 2023 (subject to competing priorities). SCH will also conduct a gap analysis to identify other relevant disaggregation as well as possible options to filling these gaps by March 31, 2023 (provisional).
P07-Conservation and Protection
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The Conservation and Protection (C&P) program does not collect information, statistics, or data relative to GBA Plus as part of its enforcement and compliance promotion activities. This is due to the sensitive nature of the information collected by its Fishery Officers in NETS, C&P’s national enforcement tracking system. C&P might instead explore GBA Plus as part of its ongoing recruitment and training strategy in 2022‑23.
P34-Fish and Seafood Sector (composed of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund [AFF], the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund [BCSRIF]; and the Quebec Fisheries Fund [QFF])
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
AFF
Yes. AFF began collecting self-identification data on whether applicants to the program are women or a woman-owned organization. To date, 63 applicants have completed the self-identification section and only two identified as being a woman or a woman-owned organization. The program will continue to track this information through until the end of the program. The program is targeting to support one or more new projects in 2022-23 whose recipients are women or a woman-owned organization.
BCSRIF
Yes. In 2021-22, BCSRIF updated its results framework, which includes outcomes and indicators related to Indigenous participation in the program (as project leads, partners or beneficiaries of training/employment opportunities). BCSRIF also developed a new reporting template that funding recipients are required to submit each year. Through this report, BCSRIF collects data related to various ecological and socio-economic indicators, geographic dispersion and participation in projects by various demographic groups. This data will enable the program to enhance the scope of information available to inform both internal and external reporting initiatives (e.g. the public-facing BCSRIF Annual Results Report).
QFF
No. As QFF was not established to target gender and diversity specifically within its eligibility criteria, these aspects have not yet been incorporated into the data and information collection process for the program to support monitoring or reporting on the impacts. Until now, priority has had to be on building the program itself and its capacity to report back on its mandated elements.
Discussions with the government of Quebec about the renewal of QFF will take place during 2022–23, and will allow discussions on updates to the application form in order to collect data to increase GBA Plus reporting capacity.
P08-Aquatic Animal Health
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program does not have direct impacts with program recipients that can be measured by gender and diversity. The program generates scientific information on aquatic animal health to support decision making at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. For its research component, the program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P09-Biotechnology and Genomics
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P10-Aquaculture Science
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P11-Fisheries Science
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P12-Economics and Statistics
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. DFO’s Economics, Statistics and Data Governance Directorate is working with Statistics Canada on a pilot project to develop community-level data on employment and incomes in fishing-related industries in British Columbia, which could enable reporting on impacts for smaller geographic areas. The initial results of the pilot project are expected by the end of June 2022.
P13-Fish and Fish Habitat Protection
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The role of the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection (FFHPP) program is to regulate projects from a fish and fish habitat protection perspective. With respect to transfer payment programs, they are accessible by all Canadians, regardless of gender or diversity. The entirety of the Indigenous Habitat Protection Program (IHPP) is, however, directed to Indigenous peoples. Information tracked includes the number of Indigenous led projects, the number of Indigenous people trained through agreements / arrangements, as well as the number of Indigenous partners.
Program staff ensure that First Nation, Inuit and Metis organizations, groups and communities across the country are aware of funding opportunities.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada has been the recipient of funding through the IHPP for multiple years to ensure the opportunity for their members to provide input to ongoing development of program, policy, and regulatory initiatives.
In 2022-23, the program intends to establish an Indigenous Advisory Circle, an advisory committee of Indigenous peoples representative of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis, as well as women, elders, and youth, to provide direct advice to the FFHPP relative to program activities.
P14-Aquatic Invasive Species
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The main intended outcome of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program is to avoid impacts from AIS on aquatic ecosystems, which belong to all Canadians. Although there are direct benefits by helping to protect fishery resources, tourism and recreation, and the jobs associated with those sectors, the main benefits (i.e. healthier freshwater and marine ecosystems) are indirect and accrue to all Canadians. As this is a conservation program, the impacts monitored are those associated with the prevention, detection, control and management of AIS, rather than any specific demographic or other group.
P15-Species at Risk
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The federal government’s policy agenda and the analysis of gender and other demographic factors influenced the design and is influencing the delivery and implementation of the Nature Legacy for Canada, including, but not limited to, the new Canada Nature Fund, Indigenous engagement, communications, and recruitment. The anticipated impact is that initiatives and communications will be well-received by Canadians regardless of gender, age, or other characteristics. Further to the federal government’s policy agenda, particular efforts will be made to take into account and accommodate the needs and objectives of women and Indigenous peoples.
P16-Marine Planning and Conservation
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The program is putting effort towards developing diversity and inclusion within its staffing processes. These efforts presently focus on including diversity and equity statements in all job postings, and on having all evaluators complete unconscious bias training.
The program is also exploring the development of additional GBA Plus training for managers and staff to raise awareness and to better inform coordination and data-gathering on program activities.
As part of the monitoring of marine protected areas (MPA) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), methods will be developed and used to gather data on employment opportunities generated by MPA and OECM establishment and management, including online surveys and interviews conducted with external parties.
Additional data that may inform future GBA Plus analysis will be sourced from socio-economic data collection that informs the development of marine conservation operational policy, establishment of new MPAs and OECMs, Marine Spatial Planning plans, and monitoring of established MPAs and OECMs (e.g. loss of fishing effort as a result of MPA establishment, contribution of ocean industries to economy of a bioregion).
Since 2020-21, the Marine Spatial Planning program has been involved in the Evaluation of the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative. It is anticipated that through this evaluation, the program will obtain a better understanding on how to conduct a GBA Plus analysis, and prioritize the collection of data that would facilitate that analysis in the future.
In 2020-21, the Oceans Management Contribution Program continued to update its program documentation, including reporting templates and tracking tools, in order to capture better data. This update will help the program to better disaggregate data and report more accurately on the target population.
P17-Aquatic Ecosystem Science
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P18-Oceans and Climate Change Science
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. This program will work with the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise and other groups within DFO to advance the development of a GBA Plus data collection strategy.
P20-Icebreaking Services
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is developing a strategy to assess the program’s current impacts by gender and diversity and to enable future reporting.
P21-Aids to Navigation
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. CCG is developing a strategy to assess the program’s current impacts by gender and diversity and to enable future reporting.
P22-Waterways Management
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. CCG is developing a strategy to assess the program’s current impacts by gender and diversity and to enable future reporting.
P23-Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. CCG is developing a strategy to assess the program’s current impacts by gender and diversity and to enable future reporting.
P24-Shore-based Asset Readiness
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. GBA Plus is deemed not relevant to the program from an end user perspective, as the population of the end user of the services of CCG assets is at the municipal, territorial, and national level, thereby rendering it impractical to assess. GBA Plus considerations for people involved in the delivery of the program are assessed at the Agency level through established and evolving mechanisms.
P25-Hydrographic Services, Data and Science
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. The program is increasing the awareness of women in hydrography to enable future monitoring or reporting of the program’s impacts by gender and diversity.
P26-Search and Rescue
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The program offers several projects, initiatives, or sub-programs that primarily benefit members of GBA Plus groups (Inshore Rescue Boat Program, Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program, Indigenous Community Response Training) and as part of the project reporting we track results in the form of participation in the programs/projects.
P27-Environmental Response
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. CCG’s Environmental Response program offers several initiatives that primarily target GBA Plus groups. For example, the Co-Developing Community Response (CDCR) initiative empowers coastal Indigenous communities in British Columbia with knowledge, personnel, training, and equipment to protect culturally important and sacred sites on their traditional territories and mitigate risks posed by oil spills. While CCG does not collect gender-based data for CDCR, the Agency does collect data on Indigenous group participation in environmental response training and exercising, as well as data on overall Indigenous participation in the CDCR initiative.
P28-Maritime Security
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The program is in the process of operationalizing current gender, diversity, and employment equity goals and establishing reporting mechanisms and measurement indicators. Equity goals are enshrined in the following departmental policies/framework: Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Staffing Targets Framework, Framework for Diversity and Inclusion, and Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, as well as updated in progress reports.
CCG engages in capacity building efforts abroad. When choosing the appropriate representative their skill set is an important criteria. However, CCG works to ensure there is equal gender representation by being GBA Plus compliant and will continue to do so.
Continue to offer employees GBA Plus web-based training provided by the Canada School of Public Service.
P29- Fleet Operational Capability
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. CCG is focused on creating a more respectful and inclusive work environment by undertaking GBA Plus assessments for new vessel designs. The analytical effort ensures fleet assets reflect a deliberate approach to being inclusive by coordinating GBA Plus assessments and developing a GBA Plus Framework; the intersectional lens will be used to promote accessible and universal design features throughout Coast Guard's new fleet.
P30-Fleet Maintenance
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. GBA Plus is deemed not relevant to the program from an end user perspective, as the population of the end user of the services of CCG assets is at the municipal, territorial, and national level, thereby rendering it impractical to assess. GBA Plus considerations for people involved in the delivery of the program are assessed at the Agency level through established and evolving mechanisms.
P31-Fleet Procurement
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
No. While Fleet Procurement has taken several steps to ensure GBA+ considerations are being incorporated into the design and engineering of its new vessels, the Fleet Procurement program is not best suited to monitor and report on program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus). Once a new vessel is delivered, responsibility of that ship and its functions transfers to the Fleet Operational Capability program, which is then responsible for tracking all staffing, crew complements, etc.
P32-Canadian Coast Guard College
Does the program collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus)?
Yes. The Canadian Coast Guard College (the College) is currently resourcing to ensure that we have the capability to report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus).
That said, the College’s Recruitment department has been engaging with Coast Guard Officer Training Program applicants who self-identify as belonging to the LGBTQ2+ community by advising them of accommodations and support systems within the College. Data is collected from the Coast Guard Officer Training Program selection process from candidates who self-identify. Promoting CCG as an inclusive organization will help to increase a gender balance within the Officer Training Program and within the CCG Fleet. Performance is measured through the number of applicants who self-identify in the Officer Training Program.
The College also works to promote gender-neutral washrooms and signage on campus.
The College applies a GBA Plus lens to course creation and delivery, and ensures all College training materials are developed to ensure language and context represent diversity and gender equality.
The College library has developed its collection in the areas of diversity and inclusion (specifically print materials on anti-racism, diversity and inclusion methodology, LGBTQ2+ issues, wellness, and mental health).
The College has an active Positive Space Initiative Committee that provides awareness sessions and training to staff and students, and participates in community LGBTQ2+ activities. The Positive Space Initiative proactively creates opportunities to foster awareness and engagement and promotes inclusion of LGBTQ2+ persons at work.
The College is aware of the integral role it plays in the promotion of diversity, and will continue to engage in initiatives that target diversity groups in the future.
- Date modified: