2024-25 Departmental Plan - Gender-based analysis Plus

General information: Institutional GBA Plus capacity

Governance

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) core responsibility is to support Atlantic Canada’s economic growth, wealth creation and economic prosperity through inclusive and clean growth. This is why the Agency will continue to integrate Gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) into its various activities as part of its implementation strategy. To ensure accountability, the Agency will use a GBA Plus intradepartmental responsibility centre and working group led by an executive-level GBA Plus champion to support and monitor the implementation of GBA Plus throughout the Agency, and liaise with the broader Government of Canada GBA Plus network. This group also informs and develops training and tools needed at the Agency including employee resources, disaggregated data and awareness building. ACOA will continue to use inclusion as one of its priority lenses. This lens will aim to advance the inclusion of under-represented groups and direct specific attention on Indigenous peoples and reconciliation, newcomers, international students, women and youth. This is in addition to other traditionally under-represented groups already examined by the Agency such as visible minorities and rural populations.

Capacity

Employment Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan

The Agency will continue to implement the second year of its 2023 – 2028 Employment Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workplace. Anchored in the Clerk’s Call to Action, it focuses on recruitment, governance, talent management, and diversity and inclusion competencies and training. This will encompass and complement the Agency’s activities such as a safe, healthy and flexible hybrid work environment, its action plan on official languages, initiatives aimed at building and supporting leaders, including those from under-represented groups, and improving awareness of lived realities for Indigenous peoples.

The activities of the Office of Inclusion, Equity and Anti-Racism (IEAR) at ACOA will continue to build organizational awareness and capacity. The Office of IEAR is a neutral entity that provides leadership, strategic direction, policy advice, professional development and expertise with respect to inclusion, equity and anti-racism. The IEAR also engages external stakeholders in supporting corporate inclusion initiatives to remove systemic barriers.

Inclusion lens and GBA Plus in support of inclusive programming for Atlantic Canadians

As part of the Government of Canada’s objectives outlined in ministerial mandate letters, the Speech from the Throne, budgets and fall economic statements, ACOA continues to be identified as a delivery partner for a number of national and regional initiatives, many of which are relevant to ACOA’s mandate, which covers a highly rural part of Canada and targets under-represented groups in Atlantic Canada’s economy. For new initiatives, ACOA conducted GBA Plus analyses for various memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions and internal documents. The Agency will continue to implement these measures with an inclusion lens described previously, ensuring that GBA Plus aspects are part of performance measurement strategies.

Enhancing systems to improve GBA Plus information

In 2024-25, ACOA will continue developing its internal system to improve disaggregated data to facilitate monitoring and reporting on its activities. This will enable ACOA to carry out analyses on its programs using new and existing administrative data available. This will help the Agency take stock of the GBA Plus elements of ACOA’s programs, look at trends and provide insight into areas that can be improved upon to strengthen inclusivity.

Highlights of GBA Plus results reporting by program

Program inventory: Inclusive Communities

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework (GRF), mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and succeed on a global scale). For an economically diversified Atlantic Canada, communities must have the capacity and resources to be more inclusive; and for sustainable growth, entrepreneurs must be equipped to be competitive on the global market. This program targets groups such as youth, women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and immigrants, including international students.

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. The Agency tracks three indicators related to GBA Plus for this program: the percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Atlantic Canada majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities; the percentage of ACOA-assisted firms that are majority owned by women; and the percentage points by which the business survival rate of Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)-assisted clients exceeds that of comparable firms not assisted by CBDCs, including disaggregated data by women, immigrant status, persons with disabilities and age. CBDCs support businesses in rural and remote communities that are typically under-served by traditional financial institutions.

Program inventory: Diversified Communities

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale). This program supports projects to revitalize and strengthen rural community infrastructure that will lead to diversified communities. Economic development in rural areas continues to be a challenge considering the declining traditional industries, population shifts and infrastructure issues.

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. The Agency tracks one indicator related to GBA Plus for this program: the percentage of SMEs in Atlantic Canada that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

Program inventory: Research and Development, and Commercialization

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale). ACOA plays an important role in ensuring that Atlantic Canada continues to maximize benefits from national research and development (R&D) programs and builds on the momentum of rising business expenditures in R&D in the region. Projects in this program support these objectives for businesses owned by under-represented groups (e.g., women, Indigenous peoples, youth, persons with disabilities, immigrants).

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. Although there are no Departmental Results Framework-level indicators specifically targeting GBA Plus, new tags will enhance administrative data to include women-led and women-owned businesses, people living with disabilities, Indigenous groups, recent immigrants, visible minorities, official language minority communities (OLMCs), and people in rural or remote regions.

Overall, the Agency has the capacity to disaggregate project and client data by different identifiers including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, members of OLMCs, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, Black and racialized communities and 2SLGBTQIA+. In addition, ACOA has the capacity to track whether projects and clients are in rural or remote areas (i.e., outside census metropolitan areas) and by sector of interest (e.g., tourism). The measurement of GBA Plus impacts at the project and client level is dependent on self-reported data by clients.

Program inventory: Innovation Ecosystem

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale). ACOA develops and facilitates strategic networks, partnerships and initiatives to develop an innovation ecosystem. This program supports projects that are key to this ecosystem, including networking, engagement and coordination activities to foster collaboration with various stakeholders, including under-represented groups such as Black entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs and people in rural areas.

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. Although there are no Departmental Results Framework-level indicators specifically targeting GBA Plus, new tags will enhance administrative data to include women-led and women-owned businesses, people living with disabilities, Indigenous groups, recent immigrants, visible minorities, OLMCs, and people in rural or remote regions.

Overall, the Agency has the capacity to disaggregate project and client data by different identifiers including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, members of OLMCs, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, Black and racialized communities and 2SLGBTQIA+. In addition, ACOA has the capacity to track whether projects and clients are in rural or remote areas (i.e., outside census metropolitan areas) and by sector of interest (e.g., tourism). The measurement of GBA Plus impacts at the project and client level is dependent on self-reported data by clients.

Program inventory: Business Growth

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale). ACOA invests in business growth to enhance Atlantic Canadians’ access to the information and financing they need to grow a business. This enables businesses to become more innovative and productive, and to grow, which generates wealth and jobs. Efforts are made to support businesses owned by under-represented groups (e.g., women, Indigenous peoples, youth, persons with disabilities, immigrants).

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. Although there are no Departmental Results Framework-level indicators targeting GBA Plus, new tags will enhance administrative data to include women-led and women-owned businesses, people living with disabilities, Indigenous groups, recent immigrants, visible minorities, OLMCs, and people in rural or remote regions.

Overall, the Agency has the capacity to disaggregate project and client data by different identifiers including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, members of OLMCs, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, Black and racialized communities and 2SLGBTQIA+. In addition, ACOA has the capacity to track whether projects and clients are in rural or remote areas (i.e., outside census metropolitan areas) and by sector of interest (e.g., tourism). The measurement of GBA Plus impacts at the project and client level is dependent on self-reported data by clients.

Program inventory: Trade and Investment

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale). ACOA pursues trade and investment opportunities with a view to increasing the number of exporters and the volume of export sales, attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the commercialization of technology. ACOA also strives to build a foundation for long-term growth through global competitiveness thanks to its tourism work, primarily through the commercial and non-commercial elements of the Business Development Program.

There are sufficient data to enable ACOA to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. Although there are no Departmental Results Framework-level indicators targeting GBA Plus, new tags will enhance administrative data to include women-led and women-owned businesses, people living with disabilities, Indigenous groups, recent immigrants, visible minorities, OLMCs, and people in rural or remote regions.

Overall, the Agency has the capacity to disaggregate project and client data by different identifiers including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, members of OLMCs, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, Black and racialized communities and 2SLGBTQIA+. In addition, ACOA has the capacity to track whether projects and clients are in rural or remote areas (i.e., outside census metropolitan areas) and by sector of interest (e.g., tourism). The measurement of GBA Plus impacts at the project and client level is dependent on self-reported data by clients.

Program inventory: Policy Research and Engagement

This program has impacts that support the pillars and goals of the GRF, mainly the goals of equal and full participation in the economy (i.e., increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in under-represented groups) and gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision making (i.e., increased opportunities for women to start and grow their businesses and to succeed on a global scale).

The Policy Research and Engagement program is central to identifying and effectively responding to opportunities and challenges facing the regional economy. It provides intelligence, analysis and well-grounded advice to support decision making on a broad range of issues and topics, including economic development and performance as relates to GBA Plus characteristics such as gender, immigrant and Indigenous status, and geography. Given the research focus of this program, its products will continue to analyze the impacts of ACOA’s economic development programming on diverse groups of Atlantic Canadians.

Program inventory: Internal Services

The Agency will continue to implement its 2023 – 2028 Employment Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Action Plan, which aims to increase representativeness and foster an inclusive workplace by focusing on recruitment, governance, talent management, and diversity and inclusion competencies and training. As part of its Evaluation and Advisory Services, the Agency publishes on its website all evaluation findings related to inclusive growth and GBA Plus. These efforts will also contribute to more inclusive service delivery to ACOA clients.

There are sufficient data to enable the Agency to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity, notably the diversity and inclusiveness of its workforce.