Gender-based analysis plus

Social Development Partnership Program – Children and Families component

Brief description of the initiative

Social Development Partnerships Program - Supporting Black Canadian Communities (SBCC) initiative – The department will provide $5 million in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 for projects in Black Canadian communities. The funding will support not-for-profit organizations to pay for improvements to physical spaces. The funding will also be used for other activities that help strengthen organizations so that they can better address the needs of Black Canadian communities.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

According to the 2016 Census, the Black population in Canada is 1,198,540, making it the third-largest visible minority group in Canada. The majority of this population resides in Ontario (52%) and Quebec (27%). Black women represent 51.6% of the total black population in Canada. Black communities across Canada face unique and significant challenges with respect to interpersonal and institutional racism – as reflected, for example, in their over-representation in the criminal justice system and in a higher prevalence of low income. The 2014 General Social Survey also reveals that Black women are more likely to report having experienced discrimination (28%) than non-visible minority women (13%). The SBCC initiative will support the Government of Canada’s overarching goals to enhance the quality of life, especially for women, and promote the full participation of all individuals in all aspects of Canadian society.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

Specific measures will depend on projects brought forward by Black Canadian Communities.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

ESDC is in the process of developing a results framework in consultation with stakeholders.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

ESDC is in the process of developing a results framework in consultation with stakeholders.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

ESDC is in the process of developing a results framework in consultation with stakeholders.

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Brief description of the initiative

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a grants and contributions program that helps to ensure that seniors can benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities. The Program includes 2 streams: a community-based stream that focuses on small grants for local projects; and a pan-Canadian stream that focuses on complex, multi-year projects.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

The Canadian population, both females and males, is aging. In 2016, the number of senior women exceeded the number of senior men by more than 20% (3.2 million vs 2.7 million) and there were 2 senior women for every senior man in the 85 and older population. Budget 2019 provided an additional $20 million annually to the NHSP to better respond to the growing needs of seniors. In addition, the 2018 to 2019 pan-Canadian call for funding focused on addressing social inclusion of vulnerable sub-populations of seniors, including seniors who are women and members of the LGBTQ2 community.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

NHSP pan-Canadian stream will be providing multi-year funding to 22 organizations to implement Collective Impact plans to increase the social inclusion of vulnerable senior sub-populations across Canada.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Number of seniors who benefit; Target: 369,000

New indicators are in development to measure the expected outcomes described above.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

Results to date indicate that about an equal number of men and women will benefit from the program. Project reports have also begun to collect data on LGBTQ2+ seniors. About 5% of projects generally target LGBTQ2+ seniors.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

Increasing the social inclusion of senior vulnerable sub-populations through the NHSP is expected to have a positive impact on gender equality since senior women represent a higher proportion of the aging population than men. Positive impacts from the NHSP include, but are not limited to, increased social participation and inclusion, volunteer and mentorship opportunities, and raised awareness of elder abuse.

Canada Disability Savings Program

Brief description of the initiative

The department is currently in the process of implementing new measures related to the Registered Disability Savings Plan announced in Budget 2019. The department will also conduct outreach activities to increase awareness and understanding of the Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

The goal of identifying potential barriers to opening a RDSP and increasing RDSP uptake aligns with the Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-being pillar.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The department is collaborating with Statistics Canada to carry out a survey in the spring of 2020 to investigate the reasons eligible individuals have not yet opened a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and benefited from the Canada Disability Savings Grants and Bonds. The department will analyze the results of the survey and identify trends related to eligible individuals who do not have a RDSP, including looking at intersectional factors.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Percentage of beneficiaries (aged 0 to 49) receiving a Canada Disability Savings Grant and/or a Canada Disability Savings Bond; Target: 81%

Indicator: Percentage of beneficiaries (aged 0 to 49) of low to modest income receiving a bond who have also received a grant; Target: 57%

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

The expected result of this program is improved long-term financial security for people with severe and prolonged disabilities.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

The net impact of the program is not yet known and will be informed by the survey described above.

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Brief description of the initiative

Reaching Home is a community-based program that supports local efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness. It mobilizes partners at the federal, provincial/territorial, and community levels. Reaching Home is part of the National Housing Strategy, and contributes to its goal of reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by fiscal year 2027 to 2028.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

The ultimate goal of Reaching Home is to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. This aligns with the Poverty Reduction, Health and Well being pillar as it will lead to fewer vulnerable individuals lacking stable, safe and permanent housing.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The majority of funding decisions for Reaching Home are made at the community level. Community-level projects may be targeted towards specific populations depending on locally-identified priorities. These populations can include women, gender diverse individuals, people with mental disabilities, people fleeing domestic violence, people who identify as LGBTQ2, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees, refugee claimants, veterans, families, children, youth and seniors. Reaching Home included the removal of Housing First targets for communities, creating more flexibility in how communities address their local homelessness needs. The removal of Housing First targets allows communities to address vulnerable populations who may not have been previously eligible for supports. For instance, women fleeing violence would not need to be in shelter for a certain amount of time to be eligible for housing placement supports. Under Reaching Home, communities are being supported to develop a more complete understanding of their homelessness population, including by demographic groups. Communities will implement a coordinated system where individuals are known by-name and are directed to services that will meet their needs (‘coordinated access’). Communities will use this system to report on outcomes such as the reduction of homelessness overall and for specific populations. Recognizing the over-representation of Indigenous peoples among the homeless, there are specific requirements regarding collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners on the implementation of coordinated access.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Percentage of Designated Communities that have implemented coordinated access; Target: 100% by fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Indicator: Discussions with Indigenous partners on coordinated access are undertaken; Target: 100% by fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Indicator: Percentage of Designated Communities reporting on community-wide outcomes; Target: 100% by fiscal year 2023 to 2024

Indicator: Number of people placed in more stable housing through the Indigenous homelessness stream; Target: 6,000 by fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

The expected result is that the above targets will be met and that homelessness will be prevented and reduced.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

Under Reaching Home, an outcomes-based approach has been introduced which replaces investment targets. Through this outcomes-based approach, Designated Communities are required to work towards 4 mandatory community-level outcomes. 1 of these outcomes is for homelessness in the community to be reduced overall and for specific populations. Specific populations can include women and children fleeing violence, LGBTQ2+, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and people with disabilities. Communities choose as many sub-populations as needed, but must include Indigenous homelessness.

Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy

Brief description of the initiative

Social Innovation and Social Finance aim to strengthen the ability of communities to develop, finance and scale new solutions to persistent social and environmental challenges in Canada. An Investment Readiness Program represents 1 of the first foundational elements in building a Social Innovation and Social Finance (SI/SF) Strategy for Canada. The Investment Readiness Program is a 2-year, $50M grants and contributions program with the objective to improve the ability of social purpose organizations (SPOs) to participate in the social finance market and the larger social innovation ecosystem. Other foundational elements include the proposed Social Finance Fund – a new $755M initiative – and Social Innovation Advisory Committee that are anticipated to be launched in fiscal year 2020 to 2021. While the Investment Readiness Program aims to address issues related to demand for and capacity to absorb social finance, the Social Finance Fund aims to accelerate the growth of Canada’s social finance market and, in so doing, increase the amount of resources available to SPOs to generate positive social and environmental impacts.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

The SI/SF Strategy aligns with the Economic Participation and Prosperity Pillar of the Gender Results Framework by supporting the growth and sustainability of the women dominated social service sector (in other words enabling SPOs, including those run by and that serve women and marginalized sub-groups of women and men, to access new sources of capital). In addition, the SI/SF Strategy, by helping SPOs to access the resources they need to develop and scale their impact initiatives is likely to provide downstream impacts that align with all of the pillars under the Gender Results Framework (for example, fewer women and children living in food-insecure households).

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

Investment Readiness Program: The funding recipients responsible for administering a large part of the Investment Readiness Program (in other words, funding and supporting SPOs to build their investment readiness) were selected based on their capacity and commitment to reach a broad and diverse range of SPOs, including those led by or catering to marginalized communities. This includes a $3.1M project with the Canadian Women’s Foundation to support the growth and readiness of women-serving organizations to participate in the social finance market.

Social Finance Fund: As announced in Budget 2019, the Social Finance Fund will allocate at least $100M to projects that support gender equality (in other words, projects that reduce any of the diverse social or economic barriers faced by 1 or more groups of women or by members of the LGBTQ2+ community). The department is undertaking internal research and developing the financial parameters of the Fund in such a way to ensure that the program reaches its gender equality target and benefits marginalized communities and social purpose organizations potentially being underserved by the social finance market.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Investment Readiness Program: Indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication.

Social Finance Fund: Indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

Investment Readiness Program: Indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication.

Social Finance Fund: Indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

The SI/SF Strategy and its measures, including the Investment Readiness Program and Social Finance Fund, will have significant benefits to the growth and resiliency of SPOs. By helping build a stronger social finance market, the Social Finance Fund will enable SPOs – including those led by members of marginalized communities - to acquire the financing they need to develop and scale their operations, and deliver on existing or new solutions that will ultimately benefit the diverse communities they serve. The fund has been developed in such a way as to support a wide range of social impacts, including providing jobs for those facing employment barriers (for example, people with disabilities), addressing issues such as food insecurity, and contributing to the growth of a largely women-dominated sector, more broadly.

Accessible Canada Initiative

Brief description of the initiative

The Accessible Canada initiative supports a proactive approach to the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility, particularly through the implementation and ongoing administration of the Accessible Canada Act, along with the advancement of broader accessibility initiatives. This includes developing accessibility regulations under the act; providing horizontal policy analysis and overall strategic direction to support the interpretation of the act; collaborating with Statistics Canada to develop an Accessibility Data and Measurement Strategy to measure the act’s outcomes; initiating public opinion research to measure Canadians’ attitudes towards accessibility; engaging stakeholders to inform policy and regulatory development; supporting the implementation of new structures under the act, such as the Chief Accessibility Officer; awareness activities to promote broader culture change and raise the profile of accessibility at the national level; and for accessibility-focused grants and contributions, administered through the Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

In support of the Accessible Canada initiative, the Accessibility Secretariat regularly engages and communicates with a multitude of disability stakeholder organizations and people with disabilities to respect the principle of “nothing about us without us”. It also supports culture change and leads regulatory development processes that raise the profile of accessibility at the national level. The Accessible Canada initiative is expected to increase the inclusion and participation of Canadians with disabilities and promote equality of opportunity. The initiative recognizes that Canadians with disabilities are also members of diverse groups, such as women, Indigenous people, visible minorities and members of the LGBTQ2 community and other groups, and thus may experience multiple and intersecting forms of marginalization and discrimination. The Accessible Canada initiative supports the following Gender Results Framework areas and associated objectives:

• leadership and democratic participation that aims to promote gender equality and diversity at all levels of decision-making, recognizing their role in increased employee engagement and productivity, as well as in a fair and democratic society
• poverty reduction, health and well-being that aims to ensure that all members of our society have a real and fair chance at success, especially women and girls, who are more likely to be affected by chronic conditions and disabilities at older ages
• economic participation and prosperity that aims to ensure that every person has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential while contributing to, and benefitting from, a strong growing economy, emphasizing the advancement of women’s economic participation

Given that they promote gender equality and diversity in many sectors of Canadian society, these key areas and their objectives reflect the ultimate expected outcome of the Accessible Canada initiative, which is the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities, including women with disabilities. The removal of barriers through the initiative will widely benefit all Canadians and contribute to advancement of gender equality.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The Accessibility Secretariat will develop accessibility regulations under the Accessible Canada Act that will benefit both men and women with disabilities. New regulations will be developed in key areas such as the built environment, employment, information and communication technologies, communication, the design and delivery of programs and services, and transportation. Regulations will aid in removing barriers to services and employment in the Government of Canada and federally regulated sectors. Barrier removal in key sectors as a result of new regulations is expected to have a greater benefit for women, as they experience disabilities at a higher rate than men. Older women in visible minority and immigrant communities experience higher rates of disability compared to younger women in these same communities and will, as a result, benefit more from new accessibility regulations.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Number of tools and resources developed to meet the needs of disability stakeholders involved in implementing the Accessible Canada Act and regulations; Target: Expect 80% of identified tools and resources by March 2021

Indicator: Level of satisfaction among disability stakeholders in relation to the quality and usability of tools and resources; Target: Expect good to very good among 80% of users by Spring 2021

Indicator: Percentage of the Canadian public that is aware of the Accessible Canada Act; Target: 50% among persons with disabilities by fiscal year 2020 to 2021

Indicator: Number of submissions by disability stakeholders in the regulatory development process; Target: Baseline data will be collected to inform a target in fiscal year 2019 to 2020

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

The expected results of this program are that tools and resources to support disability stakeholder participation in regulatory development process will be available, tools and resources to support disability stakeholder participation in regulatory development process are available, regulated entities and the Canadian public are aware of the importance of accessibility and inclusion, and that disability stakeholders influence the development of accessibility regulations under the Accessible Canada Act.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

Barrier removal and prevention in key sectors as a result of new regulations, as well as awareness activities to promote broader culture change and raise the profile of accessibility at the national level, are expected to have a greater benefit for women, as they experience disabilities at a higher rate than men. Older women in visible minority and immigrant communities experience higher rates of disability compared to younger women in these same communities and will, as a result, benefit more from the Accessible Canada initiative.

Old Age Security

Brief description of the initiative

Guaranteed Income Supplement Earnings Exemption – The department will implement the enhancement to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earnings exemption introduced in Budget 2019. Effective July 1, 2020, the earnings exemption will increase from $3,500 to $5,000, be extended to self-employment income, and a 50% exemption will be introduced on employment and self-employment income between $5,000 and $15,000. This measure will allow low-income seniors who work to keep more of their benefits.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

The GIS earnings exemption currently allows low-income seniors to earn up to $3,500 per year in employment income without a reduction to their GIS benefits. Income from self-employment does not currently qualify for the exemption. The enhancement to the earnings exemption aligns with the Poverty Reduction, Health and Well being pillar of the Gender Results Framework as it allows low-income seniors to earn more employment or self-employment income before their GIS benefit is reduced, and gives them the ability to improve their own income security.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The initiative is available equally to all genders.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Number of GIS and Allowance recipients with employment income over $3,500 or self-employment income, by gender; Target: Targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

It is estimated that in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, 321,000 individuals will benefit from the enhancement to the GIS earnings exemption. Of these, 58% (185,000) are men and 42% (136,000) are women.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

This measure will increase the overall income of 321,000 working low-income seniors in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, including 136,000 low-income senior women.

Canada Pension Plan

Brief description of the initiative

The department will begin proactively enrolling individuals aged 70 or older for the Canada Pension Plan retirement pension starting in 2020. This will help ensure that Canadians do not miss out on benefits to which they paid contributions, but did not receive because they applied late or not at all. Proactive enrollment will be limited to individuals about whom the government has sufficient information to put payments into effect.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

This initiative aligns with the Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-being pillar of the Gender Results Framework as it will help to ensure that Canadians do not miss out on benefits, thus contributing to fewer vulnerable individuals living in poverty.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The initiative is available equally to all genders.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

No expected results as indicators and targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

The gender balance will be different for the group of individuals who will be proactively enrolled each year as they reach age 70, with men outnumbering women. For example, in 2021, approximately 58% of the individuals who will reach age 70 without applying for their retirement (thus becoming candidates for proactive enrollment) are expected to be men. In 2021 the average monthly pension for men in this group is estimated to be roughly $720, compared to $585 for the women. However, there will be a narrower gap between the pensions of men and women in the future due to increasing labour force participation among women.

Future Skills

Brief description of the initiative

Future Skills launched in February 2019 to introduce proactive and innovative measures to support workforce development strategies that adapt to the unprecedented pace and scope of changes in the workplace. Working with provinces and territories, private sector, labour, educational and training institution and not-for-profit organizations to adopt proven practices, Future Skills helps ensure Canada’s skills development programs are future-focused.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

Future Skills includes a focus on addressing the needs of disadvantaged and under‑represented groups, such as Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, workers earning a low-income, newcomers to Canada and youth. This aligns with the following commitments in the Gender Results Framework:

• Education and Skills Development
  • Equal lifelong learning opportunities and outcomes for adults
  • Reduced gender gaps in and numeracy skills among youth, including indigenous youth
• Economic Participation and Prosperity
  • Increase labour market opportunities for women, especially women in underrepresented groups.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

50% of the Future Skills Centre’s funding will be committed towards supporting the needs of underrepresented groups, which will include women.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Indicator: Number of Canadians who participate in any of the Future Skills Centre’s pilot programs, disaggregated by sex and gender identity, racial and ethnic background, indigenous status, language, newcomer status, income, and disability diagnosis.

Indicator: Difference in labour market participation compared from before participants began 1 of the Future Skills Centre’s pilot programs vs their income after they completed a pilot program.

All of the priorities and recommendations that arise from the Future Skills Council will be developed with a GBA+ lens, as indicated in the Future Skill Council 2020 to 2021 Strategic Plan.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

This is a new indicator for 2020 to 2021. As such, there are no expected results because the data collected will be used to form a baseline, from which targets can be developed for the following years.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

GBA+ has been built into the Future Skills Council and Centre’s efforts, which will inform policy adoption across the federal government and support the provinces and territories. This will lead to improved policy and programming that is more responsive to Canadians’ diverse needs, including the needs of women. The Future Skills initiative is expected to have a positive net impact on gender equality because underrepresented women will have a better opportunity to participate in the changing economy and labour market, which can improve their quality of life and independence.

Improving Gender and Diversity Outcomes in Skills Programs

Brief description of the initiative

Improving Gender and Diversity Outcomes in Skills Programs is an initiative to improve the capacity to better measure, monitor, and address gender disparity, and to promote better access to the department’s skills programming.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

This initiative aligns with both Education and Skills Development, and Economic Participation and Prosperity pillars of the Gender Results Framework, as its objective is to advance gender equality by improving gender and diversity outcomes in skills programs.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

A GBA+ Liaison Unit has been created, and work is underway to support the development of a Strategy to address structural gaps in data and program design, and strengthen GBA+ capacity of skills programs through the creation of a Community of Practice and training.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

A GBA+ Liaison Unit has been created, and work is underway to support the development of a Strategy to address structural gaps in data and program design, and strengthen GBA+ capacity of skills programs through the creation of a Community of Practice and training.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

A GBA+ Liaison Unit has been created, and work is underway to support the development of a Strategy to address structural gaps in data and program design, and strengthen GBA+ capacity of skills programs through the creation of a Community of Practice and training.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

This initiative is specifically designed to help improve gender equality outcomes of all of the Department’s skills programs. It is too early in the implementation of this initiative to identify specific net impacts.

Student Work Placement Program

Brief description of the initiative

The Student Work Placement (SWP) Program works with employer consortia delivery partners to provide wage subsidies to employers to create more work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for post-secondary students across Canada.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

Research finds female students to be very well represented in general post-secondary education (PSE) participation rates. However, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study hold a larger proportion of male students. Furthermore, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers or recent immigrants, and first-year students are under-represented in STEM and business programs and occupations, and face barriers in obtaining work opportunities. To encourage opportunities for under-represented students and the full and equitable participation of all genders, the SWP program was designed to offer incentives for employers. Employers are provided with up to 70% of the cost of wages (up to $7,000) for each new placement from an under-represented group compared to up to 50% of the cost of wages (up to $5,000) for each new standard placement. In addition, the recent expansion of the SWP program to include students from all disciplines now enables the Program to reach more students in under-represented groups who are typically enrolled in higher proportion in non-STEM programs, thus providing a concrete mechanism for skills development, eventual labour market attachment and more equal opportunity to access quality jobs for all. As such, this initiative aligns with the Education and Skills Development pillar as well as the Economic Participation and Prosperity pillar of the Gender Results Framework.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The SWP Program will continue to offer an enhanced wage subsidy to employers to encourage more work-integrated learning opportunities for students in under-represented groups, including women.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Number of SWP WIL opportunities created for students in under-represented groups, including women.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

The SWP has a target of 25% of all WIL opportunities will be for under-represented and first year students, including women.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

The initiative is expected to have a positive net impact on gender equality because it will encourage equal opportunity to WIL for all students.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Brief description of the initiative

The modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) has merged former Career Focus, Skills Link and Summer Work Experience (excluding Canada Summer Jobs) streams to deliver an integrated and flexible approach to enhance support for all Canadian youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment. New program streams include the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program, Canada Summer Jobs and Goal Getters (focused on youth under 15).

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

This initiative is expected to advance the gender equality goals for Canada as outlined in Canada’s Gender Results Framework. Specifically, it aims to create more diversified educational paths and career choices by supporting youth to gain skills training and relevant work experiences in sectors such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and through apprenticeships. YESS, through Canada Summer Jobs, would provide increased labour market opportunities for women, especially women in underrepresented groups and reduce gender wage gap because it provides wages subsidies particularly for targeted under-represented groups such as women in STEM. By supporting Canadian youth, particularly those furthest from the labour market and addressing the barriers they face, YESS will indirectly reduce the number of vulnerable individuals living in poverty, which aligns with the Poverty Reduction Pillar of the Gender Results Framework.

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

YESS takes specific measures to address youth facing barriers and advance gender equality through its program streams: the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program; Canada Summer Jobs and Goal Getters. Youth who face barriers often include youth who leave high school early, recent immigrant youth, youth from visible minority groups, youth living with disabilities, single parent youth, youth living in low-income households, youth experiencing homelessness or precarious housing, and youth living in rural or remote areas. YESS will provide more flexible services tailored to individual needs, and a suite of supports such as mentorship or supports to youth to access work training, in order to address the multiple intersecting barriers youth face.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Beginning in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, 2 more demographic indicators will be collected, where targets have not yet been set as of the time of publication:

• living in a rural or remote community
• member of an official language minority community

ESDC will continue to publicly report on the following indicator:

• number of youth facing barriers, specifically, the number of Indigenous youth, visible minority youth and youth with disabilities served

Targets:

• Goal Getters: Baseline data will be gathered in fiscal year 2019 to 2020, the first year of the program, and will be used to develop targets in future years.
• Canada Summer Jobs: Indigenous: 8% of youth served; visible minority: 17% of youth served; youth with a disability: 3.5% of youth served
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy: At least 85% of funding is expected to serve youth facing barriers, including: Indigenous: 19% of youth served; visible minority: 36% of youth served; youth with a disability: 16% of youth served

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

Specific targets have not yet been developed at the time of publication. It is expected that youth will have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experience and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

The YESS is expected to have a positive net impact on gender equality because it serves underrepresented groups of youth who face multiple and intersecting barriers in entering and staying in the labour market.

Pay Equity Act

Brief description of the initiative

The Labour Program will bring the new Pay Equity Act and supporting regulations into force. Once in force, the new regime will direct employers in federally regulated workplaces to examine their compensation practices and to ensure that women and men in their workplaces receive equal pay for work of equal value. The Labour Program will also work with the Pay Equity Commissioner to develop education and guidance materials to support workplace parties in meeting their obligations under the Pay Equity Act.

Explanation of how the initiative will align with the goals, objectives and indicators of the Gender Results Framework

This initiative fits into the Gender Results Framework pillar of Economic Participation and Prosperity: Reduced gender wage gap. The new proactive pay equity regime will specifically help reduce the portion of the gender wage gap in the federal jurisdiction that is attributable to the systemic undervaluation of work that is seen as “women’s work,” when compared to work of equal value that is seen as “men’s work.”

Summary of any specific measures that will be taken to advance gender equality

The initiative itself will advance gender equality by directing employers to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for work of equal value in their workplaces. Education materials will be drafted by the Labour Program and provided to the Pay Equity Commissioner well in advance of the coming into force of the act. These materials will be designed to support employers, employees and bargaining agents in delivering the objectives of the act, namely to ensure that employers are providing equal pay for work of equal value.

Performance Indicators and targets that reflect GBA+

Performance measurement is not conducted on these types of measures.

Expected results over the reporting period (fiscal year 2020 to 2021) against these performance indicators and targets

Performance measurement is not conducted on these types of measures.

Expected net impact of the initiative on gender equality

This program is expected to have a net positive impact on gender equity in the federal jurisdiction, particularly a net positive impact on the gender wage gap. As wages cannot be reduced to achieve pay equity, there are not any anticipated negative outcomes for any group of federally regulated workers. A small subset of federally regulated employees would not benefit from this initiative, specifically those who work in workplaces with fewer than 10 employees as those workplaces are not covered by this program, as well as those working for Indigenous governing bodies (for example, band councils and Modern Treaty and Self-Government Agreement holders) as these workplaces are currently excluded from the Pay Equity Act. Before the act comes to apply to Indigenous governing bodies, engagement activities with Indigenous partners and communities planned to determine if the act needs to be adapted to meet the needs of Indigenous governing bodies and their employees.

Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families component

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) collects data from grants and contribution funded organizations.

The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program since 2017:

• age
• gender
• geography
• Indigenous status
• ethnicity
• LGBTQ2+
• immigrant status

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

SDPP has undertaken trend analysis of the proportion of the subpopulations served by age and gender of beneficiaries.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable

Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component

Sociodemographic variables collected

The renewed Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component (SDPP-D) national operating funding stream introduced, in 2017, the Performance and Accountability Framework (PAF) to guide future operating funding decisions for national not-for-profit disability organizations.

Since April 2019, 28 national disability organizations receiving funding under the PAF for the next 3 years are required, as per their agreements, to collect qualitative and quantitative data on sociodemographic variables.

In the process of being collected for 2019 to 2022 projects funded under the renewed SDPP-D national operating funding stream: gender-based analysis will be conducted by the recipients to identify the needs of diverse groups among persons with disabilities (in other words intersecting identity factors, gender identity/ gender expression).

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Program trend analysis

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) collects data from grants and contributions funded organizations.

The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• age (collected since 2017)
• gender (collected since 2017)
• geography (collected since 2012)
• disability status (collected since 2012)
• Indigenous status (collected since 2012)
• ethnicity (collected since 2012)
• LGBTQ2+ (collected since 2018)
• immigrant status (collected since 2017)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

NHSP has undertaken trend analysis using all the above variables in order to assess the degree to which projects focus on various senior sub-populations.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

2020 New Horizons for Seniors Program Summative Evaluation Report

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Enabling Accessibility Fund Program collects qualitative data from the final activity reports of grant funding recipients (not-for-profit organizations, for profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and territorial governments).

The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program (where provided):

• Community stream projects
  • collected for 2014 to 2016 projects: Sub-groups of people with disabilities targeted (age range and Indigenous status)
  • collected for 2017 and will be collected for 2018 and 2019 projects: Sub-groups of people with disabilities targeted (age range, indigenous status, women, veterans and LGBTQ2) and type of disability targeted
• Workplace stream projects
  • collected for 2014 projects: Type of disability targeted
  • collected for 2016 projects: Sub-groups of people with disabilities targeted (a specific age group, veterans)
  • collected for 2017 and will be collected for 2018 & 2019 projects: Sub-groups of people with disabilities targeted (age range, indigenous status, women, veterans and LGBTQ2) and type of disability targeted

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

See above

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Program trend analysis

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable

Canada Disability Savings Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Canada Disability Savings Program (CDSP) collects data for the administration of the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Bond; and prescribed information for the administration of section 146.4 and Part XI of the Income Tax Act.

The following socio-demographic variables have been collected by the program since 2008:

• age (date of birth)
• date of death
• geography (postal code)
• income level
• date and amount of contributions to a registered disability savings plan (RDSP)
• eligibility - disability tax credit certificate (DTC) eligibility of a beneficiary
• gender (collected on grant and bond application forms)
• language preference
• primary caregiver

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

Since 2008.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

CDSP has undertaken trend analysis using socio-demographic data elements. The following are examples:

• the growth in the number of RDSP beneficiaries
• the age, sex, language preference and location (urban/rural) of RDSP beneficiaries
• cumulative RDSPs and percentage increase by province and territory
• average age of new beneficiaries from 2008 to 2017
• percentage of beneficiaries at different income levels
• RDSP take-up of DTC eligible Canadians
• total and average value of RDSP assets by age
• RDSP contributions by age
• annual percentage of beneficiaries by province and territory who received a grant or bond
• age distribution of RDSP beneficiaries who received a disability assistance payment from the RDSP or a lifetime disability assistance payment

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• Annual Statistical Review
• Departmental Plan (percentage of Canadians eligible for a DTC who have an RDSP.  Percentage who have received the grant or bond)

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy (1999)

Sociodemographic variables collected

The federal homelessness program—Reaching Home—collects data through several means. The Homelessness Policy Directorate (HPD) collects information on Reaching Home-funded project recipients. This includes demographic information that helps ESDC understand how Reaching Home-funded projects address homelessness in communities and who benefits from these projects.

The following sociodemographic variables are collected since 2007, representing the groups targeted by funded projects:

• gender
• disability status
• income
• age
• education
• Indigenous identity
• veteran status
• employment status
• immigration status
• people who identify as LGBTQ2

Under Reaching Home, the following indicators will be collected, beginning in 2019, about individuals that were served by these projects:

• gender
• disability status
• income
• age
• education
• Indigenous identity
• veteran status
• employment status
• immigration status

The program also collects the following sociodemographic variables for people using emergency shelters in Canada:

• gender (collected since 2000)
• age (collected since 2000)
• Indigenous identity (collected since 2014)
• citizenship (collected since 2014)
• veteran status (collected since 2014)
• education (collected since 2014)
• employment status (collected since 2014)
• sources of income (collected since 2014)
• health conditions (collected since 2014)

Finally, Reaching Home collects information on homeless individuals through the nationally coordinated Point-in-Time (PiT) counts. The PiT counts are surveys taken of people experiencing homelessness in participating communities. Specifically, the following is collected:

• gender identity (collected since 2016)
• sexual identity (in other words, orientation) (collected since 2018)
• age (collected since 2016)
• geography (collected since 2016)
• Indigenous identity (collected since 2016)
• sources of income (collected since 2016)
• form of immigration (collected since 2018)
• veteran status (collected since 2016)
• family status and size (collected since 2016)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Analysis of program results data

HPD uses these data collected to measure program performance, conduct program evaluations, and to inform policy. The data also help to identify trends and gaps, and to show community progress in addressing homelessness.

In May 2018 an evaluation of the program was completed and published. Evaluators used available GBA+ data to measure the program’s ability to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. The evaluation included recommendations to better meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Reaching Home, like its predecessor the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, is a community-based program that allows communities to identify and address local priorities. This includes the flexibility to identify specific vulnerable populations in their communities. Communities then can determine how best to meet the needs of these populations. Under Reaching Home, a wider array of demographic variables is being collected. This will serve to better inform future policy development. With these data, ESDC will be able to perform trend analysis of subpopulations over a period of 9 years (2019 to 2028). For example, trend analyses could study gender, disability status, age, and Indigenous Peoples.

Analysis of shelter data

HPD has studied shelter users by gender, age, Indigenous identity, veteran status, and citizenship. Demographic information helps to determine representation among shelter users. It also allows for comparison of shelter use patterns, such as the number of days spent in shelter. This information can also be used to study the proportion and shelter use patterns of different groups over time.

Analysis of PiT count data

The data gathered from the PiT surveys allows HPD to analyse subgroups of the homeless population. This includes gender, age, Indigenous identity, sexual identity, veteran status, and immigration status. Reasons for housing loss and income sources can also be studied through the surveys. The surveys allow for study of stay patterns among homeless individuals at different locations. This includes those who are sheltered, unsheltered or staying in transitional housing.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• The National Shelter Study 2005-2016 (expected in early 2020)
• Highlights of the National Shelter Study 2005-2016
• The National Shelter Study 2005-2014
• Highlights of the National Shelter Study 2005-2014
• Everyone Counts 2018: Final Report from the National Coordinated Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness in Canadian Communities (expected in early 2020)
• Everyone Counts 2018: Highlights – Preliminary Results from the Second Nationally Coordinated Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness in Canadian Communities
• Highlights – 2016 Coordinated Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness in Canadian Communities
• The Extent and Nature of Veteran Homelessness in Canada, 2015

Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy - Investment Readiness Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Investment Readiness Program is collecting data on the social purpose organizations (SPOs) that access expert services and other resources with program funding to enhance their readiness to participate in the social finance market. The following sociodemographic variables of the SPOs are being collected by the program:

• gender of primary decision maker
• Indigenous identity of primary decision maker
• disability status of primary decision maker
• visible minority status of primary decision maker
• geography area served by SPO
• target population served by SPO

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

All of the above variables are being collected throughout the length of the 2-year pilot (fiscal years 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021).

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The Department will use GBA+ data collected to undertake program trend analysis to inform program performance measurement, program evaluation, and future program policy development.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable

Accessible Canada Initiative

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Accessible Canada Initiative collects data from the Public Opinion Research (POR) established in fiscal year 2018 to 2019. The following sociodemographic variables are being collected by the program as of 2019:

• telephone/cellphone
• gender
• sex
• visible minority
• age
• disability (yes/no)
• disability type
• geography (province/territory/postal code)
• employment status
• income
• education
• Indigenous (yes/no)
• Indigenous (FN, Metis, Inuk/Inuit)
• language (E/F/other)
• housing

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

Since 2019.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

• Awareness and understanding of disability
  • types of barriers Canadians with a disability may encounter – examples from persons without disabilities
  • types of barriers encountered – examples from persons with disabilities
  • awareness of specific barriers among individuals without disabilities
• Attitude Barriers
  • employment barriers
  • barriers related to the built environment
  • transportation-related barriers 
  • information and communication technology (ICT)-related barriers
  • barriers related to program and service delivery
• Disability types
  • mobility disability
  • pain disability
  • flexibility disability
  • dexterity disability
  • mental health-related disability
  • memory disability
  • sight disability
  • hearing disability
  • learning disability
  • communication disability
  • speech disability
  • developmental disability
  • language disability
  • other disabilities
• Experiences with barriers among persons with disabilities
  • attitude barriers
  • employment barriers
  • barriers related to the built environment
  • transportation-related barriers
  • ICT-related barriers
  • barriers related to program and service delivery
  • accessing information, initiatives and programs related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility (persons with disabilities)
  • disabilities equipment, aids or support used
  • communicating with others
• Experience as a caregiver or legal guardian
• Frequency of interaction with someone with a disability
• The Accessible Canada Act
• Awareness of provincial, territorial and municipal legislation, policies and program

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• Departmental Results Report
• Government of Canada 2019 Pilot Public Opinion Research Survey on Accessibility

Canada Education Savings Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) collects data with regard to who receives the education savings incentives, namely the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the Program:

• gender
• age
• geography

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

This information has been collected since 1998 for CESG beneficiaries, and since 2005 for CLB beneficiaries.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The CESP has conducted internal analysis based on administrative data to assess if there are gender differences in terms of access to the education savings incentives, amount of savings and RESP withdrawals. This analysis was done for the period from 2011 to 2017. The CESP has also collected evidence from other sources (for example, survey data, qualitative research) on specific aspects of the experiences of multiple groups with regards to registered Education Savings Plans and the associated education savings incentives. It has also analyzed various demographic, socio cultural and identity factors (for example, income, Indigenous status, ethnicity, immigrant status, disability, region and geographic location) to inform ongoing program policy development.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

As part of the ongoing commitment to report in the 2020 Annual Statistical Review, CESP is looking into the possibility of reporting on GBA+ in the next year.

Canada Student Loans Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) aims to make post-secondary education more affordable for students from low-and middle-income families and ensures that student debt loads are manageable through the provision of non-repayable Canada Student Grants, need-based Canada Student Loans, and the Repayment Assistance Plan. The CSLP collects data on who receives loans and grants as well as uptake of available programs, including the Repayment Assistance Plan and Canada Student Loan Forgiveness for Doctors and Nurses.

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender (since 2001)
• permanent disability status (since 2009)
• geography (by province) (since 2001)
• education (by level of study and types of institution) (since 2001)
• age (since 2001)
• family size (since 2001)
• self-reported Indigenous status (since 2017)

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The following are some examples of analyses undertaken using both publically available data and internal administrative data:

• an impact assessment of program changes on different types of students (for example, level of study, those with a permanent disability, those with dependants, adult learners, etc.)
• general analysis detailing program uptake for distinct populations including:
  • loan and grant recipients’ gender composition and age distribution
  • the distribution of loan and grant recipients by type of educational institution and by level of study
  • the proportion of grant recipients with permanent disabilities
  • funding gaps faced by different groups of students
• cost-benefit analyses for Budget measures, including:
  • increasing grant amounts for the grant for services and equipment for students with permanent disabilities
  • increasing grants for low-income and middle-income students
  • the introduction of changes in the calculation of student contributions based on income during the assessment of applicants
  • increasing the regulatory limit of the CSLP portfolio loan limit
  • the removal of restrictions on borrowers with severe permanent disabilities to receive loan forgiveness 
  • supporting students who are in default to regain access to additional student financial assistance
  • supporting students with permanent disabilities on the Repayment Assistance Plan to regain access to additional student financial assistance
  • increasing grant amounts for the grant for services and equipment for students with permanent disabilities
  • the introduction of Medical and Parental Leave from loan repayment

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• CSLP 2018-19 Annual Report
• In addition, the Office of the Chief Actuary will publish the Actuarial Report on the CSLP in Summer 2020

Supports for Student Learning Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) aims to help learners, particularly those facing barriers, to succeed in school and develop the skills they need to transition to the job market.

Where possible, the following sociodemographic variables will be collected at the aggregate level across the 3 funding streams of the SSLP: sex and/or gender identity, age, and Indigenous identity and/or status. However, only the total number of learners served annually across the 3 funding streams will be reported publicly.

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

As part of the Early Interventions funding stream, Pathways to Education Canada began reporting the total number of youth served by program location (geography) in December 2012 via an annual report to ESDC, which captured data for the 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 school years. In addition, Pathways to Education Canada began reporting the number of Indigenous youth served by programming to ESDC through an annual report in July 2015. Starting with the next annual report to ESDC, which will capture the 2018-2019 school year, it is expected that the organization will be able to report, where possible and safe to do so, the sex and/or gender of total youth served and the number of self-identified First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in the program.

The other 2 funding streams, Supports for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education (Indspire) and the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot, are new initiatives announced as part of Budget 2019. For the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot, sociodemographic variables will begin being collected in Autumn 2020; and, Indspire will be expected to begin collecting data on sex and/or gender, age, and Indigenous status by April 2021.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

ESDC is providing approximately $1.4M over 4 years to fund the Indspire Research Knowledge Nest project, which aims to: compile Indspire’s current data holdings into a format that permits both quantitative, as well as qualitative, analysis; identify the gaps, needs, strengths and weaknesses of existing data holdings; and develop sound sampling and assessment methodologies for understanding future student success and advancement.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

The SSLP has not published any report publicly on gender-based analysis.

Employment Insurance

Sociodemographic variables collected

The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the EI (Part I) program:

• sex at birth (collected since 1979)
• Indigenous status (collected since 1992)
• visible minority (collected since 1992)
• disability (collected since 1992)
• date of birth (collected since 1979)
• address (collected since 1979)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Examples of analysis that have been, or could be, undertaken:

• please note that “Indigenous status”, “Visible minority”, and “Disability” fields are identified by EI applicants on a voluntary basis. Therefore, data is not reliable for statistical analysis or reporting purpose (in other words, underrepresentation of the actual population)
• examples of analysis include EI claims and benefits information by age and gender, which are aggregated at a regional and a national level for trend analysis and reporting in the annual EI Monitoring and Assessment Report. Similar analysis by other sociodemographic variables can also be conducted to support the development of policy options within the EI Program

The EI program uses administrative and survey data from Statistics Canada to inform, monitor, and assess the program, and produce cost benefit analyses to support evidence based policy making, including to increase/improve the accessibility of EI to Canadians.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Apprenticeship Grants

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Apprenticeship Grant Program collects equity data on grant applicants. The submission of the data is optional for applicants to complete. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program on a voluntary basis:

• sex (male or female choices, collected since 2007)
• Indigenous status (yes/no choices, collected since 2007)
• disability status (yes/no choices, collected since 2007)
• visible minority status (yes/no choices, collected since 2007)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

The Apprenticeship Grant Program collects gender identity data on applicants for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women. The following sociodemographic variable is collected by the program:

• gender identity (applicants asked if they self-identify as a woman, collected since December 2018)

The above data is an eligibility factor for that particular grant.

Statistics Canada links data from the following datasets: Registered Apprentices Information Systems (RAIS), Canada Apprentice Loans, Apprenticeship Grants and Employment Insurance in order to build an Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Above aggregate administrative data, in addition to Registered Apprenticeship Information System (RAIS) data, are used for policy analysis, research and program evaluation purposes. For example, administrative data was used to support the introduction of the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women pilot project since analysis showed that women were highly underrepresented in several Red Seal Trades. Review of the 5-year pilot will be undertaken to determine its impact and will be shared with the Secretary of the Treasury Board Secretariat by the end of 2022.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Women in Construction Fund

Sociodemographic variables collected

The WCF collects data with regard to the individuals who participated in projects led by funding recipients. This is a 3-year program; the following sociodemographic variables will not be available until the program is scheduled to sunset in fiscal year 2020 to 2021:

• gender: the number of participants who are women
• education: the number of participants who intend to continue their apprenticeship, have achieved certification or are currently working in a skilled trade
• geography: the provincial/territorial distribution of projects

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The WCF could undertake, for example, an analysis on the number of participants who are women and have achieved certification to determine if the program helps support the progression of women in apprenticeship training.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Skilled Trade Awareness and Readiness (STAR) Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The STAR Program collects data with regard to the individuals who participated in projects led by funding recipients. The STAR’s data set contains the following sociodemographic variables to be collected starting in fiscal year 2020 to 2021 by the program, which may or may not be populated:

• gender: the number of participants who are women
• age: the number of participants who are youth
• disability: the number of participants with a disability
• visible minority: the number of participants who are racialized people
• Indigenous: the number of Indigenous participants
• education: the number of participants who intend to pursue apprenticeship training
• immigrant: the number of newcomers to Canada
• geography: the provincial/territorial distribution of projects

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

For example, the STAR Program could undertake an analysis of the number of participants who are from key groups (for example, youth, women, and Indigenous people) and intend to pursue apprenticeship training to determine if the program helps encourage key groups to prepare for a career in the skilled trades.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Union Training and Innovation (UTIP) Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The UTIP collects data with regard to the individuals who participated in projects led by funding recipients. The UTIP data set contains the following sociodemographic variables collected since 2017, which may or may not be populated:

• gender: the number of participants who are women
• disability: the number of participants with a disability
• Indigenous: the number of Indigenous participants
• education: the number of participants who intend to continue their apprenticeship, have achieved certification or are currently working in a skilled trade
• immigrant: the number of newcomers to Canada
• geography: the provincial and zonal distribution of projects

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

For example, the UTIP could undertake an analysis on the number of participants who are from key groups (for example, women, persons with a disability, Indigenous people, newcomers to Canada) and have achieved certification to determine if the program helps support the participation of key groups in apprenticeship.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs)

Sociodemographic variables collected

The WDAs collect data about individuals who participate in provincial/territorial employment programs and services funded through agreements. The WDAs are a new program as of 2018 and, due to the phased implementation of performance reporting requirements, socio-demographic data will start to become available in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 and will be consistent across provinces and territories by fiscal year 2020 to 2021. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender identity
• date of birth
• address
• marital status
• number of dependents
• disability
• Indigenous identity
• immigration status
• immigration year
• visible minority status
• highest level of education
• federal official language of choice

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Not applicable

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDAs)

Sociodemographic variables collected

The LMDAs collect data about individuals who participate in provincial/territorial employment programs and services funded through agreements. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender (collected since 1997)
• date of birth (collected since 1997)
• address (collected since 1997)
• marital status (collected since 1997)
• number of dependents (new in fiscal year 2019 to 2020)
• disability (collected since 1997)
• Indigenous identity (collected since 1997)
• immigration status (new in fiscal year 2019 to 2020)
• immigration year (new in fiscal year 2019 to 2020)
• visible minority status (collected since 1997)
• highest level of education (collected since 1997)
• federal official language of choice (collected since 1997)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

ESDC reports on rates of participation in different types of interventions for women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and youth through the Employment Insurance Monitoring and Assessment Report (EI MAR).

Currently, the collection of sociodemographic data is based on voluntary self-declaration, which impacts the reliability of existing data. While answers will still be based on self-declaration, the new performance measurement strategy for the LMDAs will require clients to answer questions about demographic characteristics with the option of not disclosing this information. The collection of better demographic data means that evaluations of the LMDAs will be able to look at medium-term impacts to clients' employment status, earnings and income support usage from an intersectional perspective. Due to the phased implementation of the strategy, this data will start to become available in fiscal year 2019 to 2020 and will be consistent across PTs by fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• chapter 3 of the EI MAR: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/ei/ei-list/reports.html.

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities collects data with regard to participants (persons with disabilities) in the program who are receiving support in overcoming barriers to participation in the labour market. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• age
• gender
• disability status
• geography
• Indigenous status
• visible minority
• immigrant status
• level of education

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

This information has been collected since 1997. Note that this information is provided by the participants through the OF Participant Information Form, and that the persons with disabilities may respond “Decline to Answer” (with the exception of “disability status” for which a “yes / no” response is required, in addition to a “type of disability” follow-up question).

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The Opportunities Fund collects sociodemographic information to inform research, evaluation, demographic, or statistical analysis for the purpose of monitoring the design and delivery of the program.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The TFW Program collects the following sociodemographic data in administration of Global Talent Stream (GTS) applications only. The GTS collects data on 2 groups: employers in Canada (clients/users of the GTS) and temporary foreign worker candidates.

• For employers in Canada, the following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program: gender composition (male, female, non-binary gender X) of the company for all employees and employees in technical positions. Information has been collected since June 2017. This is voluntary information provided to the program and is not a program requirement.
• For temporary foreign workers, the following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program: gender of the foreign national seeking to apply for a work permit (collected since June 2017). This is collected as part of the GTS application form.

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The following analysis was undertaken to support program design of the GTS:

• gender breakdown of temporary foreign workers to identify trends in temporary migration for select occupations in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
• gender breakdown of the workforce of employers using the GTS in order to support the development of measures that could increase diversity in Canadian workplaces

Note: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada may also collect certain sociodemographic information regarding foreign workers during the administration of work permit applications, following the Labour Market Impact Assessment process administered by ESDC for employers.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

Data on program participants (Indigenous people) for the ISET Program that replaces the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) as of April 1, 2019, will be available starting in the Fall 2019. Data for the predecessor program, ASETS, go back to 2010. Information has been and will be collected on a number of socio-demographic characteristics:

• age group
• gender (3 values)
• disability
• Aboriginal group
• marital status
• number of dependent children
• language
• region (province/territory)
• education level

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

No data quality assessment for the ISET Program has been undertaken. However, it is anticipated that the quality will be similar to that for ASETS, which exhibited sufficient quality for a GBA+ analysis.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Skills and Partnership Fund

Sociodemographic variables collected

Data on program participants (Indigenous people) for the Skills and Partnership Fund are available going back to 2012. Information has been collected on a number of socio-demographic characteristics:

• age group
• gender (3 values)
• disability
• Aboriginal group
• marital status
• number of dependent children
• language
• region (province/territory)
• education level

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The data for most of these variables is of sufficient quality to allow for a GBA+ analysis of program participants.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Student Work Placement Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Student Work Placement (SWP) Program collects data on under-represented students, including women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers, as well as first-year students. The following variables are collected by the SWP program:

• gender
• Indigenous identity
• disability status
• newcomer status
• year of study

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

Since the launch of the program in April 2017, the SWP program has been collecting data on these variables for participating post-secondary students. The SWP program is reaching a larger than expected number of under-represented students with 47.0% of students participating in the SWP program being from under-represented groups. As of June 30, 2019, work placements have been created for women in STEM (38.3%), Indigenous peoples (2.4%), persons with disabilities (1.8%), recent immigrants (4.4%), as well as first year students (18.2%).

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

See above.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Youth Employment Strategy – Career Focus, Skills Link, Summer Work Experience

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Youth Employment Strategy’s Career Focus, Skills Link, and Summer Work Experience streams each collect data with regard to youth participants in the program. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender
• disability status
• geography
• Indigenous status
• visible minority
• immigrant status
• level of education

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

This information has been collected since 1997. Note that this information is provided by the youth through the YES Participant Information Form, and that the youth may respond “Decline to Answer.”

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Skills Link collects sociodemographic information to inform research, evaluation, demographic, or statistical analysis for the purpose of monitoring the design and delivery of the program.

Note that a modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy has replaced the previous Youth Employment Strategy. The previous streams offered by the YES, which were merged together to create a more integrated and flexible service delivery network, are Skills Link, Career Focus, and Summer Work Experience (excluding Canada Summer Jobs).

GBA+ analysis formed a key component of the policy development stage of the modernization of the Youth Employment Strategy

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

A Departmental Evaluation of the Youth Employment Strategy (2013 to 2018; Canada Summer Jobs, Skills Link, and Career Focus) is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed Winter 2020.

Youth Employment Strategy – Canada Summer Jobs

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Canada Summer Jobs program collects data with regard to youth who are employed through wage subsidies provided to employers. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender
• disability status
• geography
• Indigenous status
• visible minority
• immigrant status
• level of education

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

This information has been collected since 2007. Note that this information is provided by the youth through the Employer-Employee Declaration (EED), and the youth may respond “Decline to Answer” (with the exception of “Highest level of education completed”). Note as well that prior to CSJ 2019, only 20% of EEDs were entered into the Common System for Grants and Contributions, used to monitor these funds.

The same data points were collected through a non-mandatory survey of CSJ youth participants (conducted for CSJ 2015 to 2018). Since CSJ 2019, this data was made mandatory and collected for all participants.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

CSJ collects sociodemographic information to inform research, evaluation, demographic, or statistical analysis for the purpose of monitoring the design and delivery of the program.

Note that a modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy has replaced the previous Youth Employment Strategy. The previous streams offered by the YES, which were merged together to create a more integrated and flexible service delivery network, are Skills Link, Career Focus, and Summer Work Experience (excluding Canada Summer Jobs).

GBA+ analysis formed a key component of the policy development stage of the modernization of the Youth Employment Strategy.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

A Departmental Evaluation of the Youth Employment Strategy (2013 to 2018; CSJ, Skills Link, and Career Focus) is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed Winter 2020.

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) collects data with regard to youth participants in the program who receive support to develop employability skills and gain job experience to assist them in making a successful transition into the labour market or to return to school. The following sociodemographic variables are collected by the program:

• gender
• disability status
• geography
• Indigenous status
• visible minority
• immigrant status
• level of education

Note that this information is provided by the youth through the YESS Participant Information Form, and that the youth may respond “Decline to Answer.”

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

See above.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy collects sociodemographic information to inform research, evaluation, demographic, or statistical analysis for the purpose of monitoring the design and delivery of the program.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Canada Service Corps

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) program collects data on youth participants in Volunteer Service Placements and Youth-Led Projects. The following sociodemographic variables are collected:

• gender identity (including LBGTQ2+)
• disability status
• Indigenous identity
• visible minority
• newcomers to Canada
• rural and/or remote
• canadian province and/or territory residents
• level of education
• birth year (age)

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

This information has been collected since the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 to 2018.

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

The CSC team collects aggregate participant information through quarterly reporting requirements laid out for youth service delivery organizations. No individual level or personal information is requested of participants.

The CSC collects sociodemographic information to inform research, evaluation, demographic, or statistical analysis for the purpose of monitoring the design and delivery of the program.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

Not applicable.

Employment Equity Program

Sociodemographic variables collected

The Legislated Employment Equity Program collects data with regard to individuals that self-identify within federally regulated private sector organizations as belonging to 1 of the 4 designated groups defined by the Employment Equity Act - women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. The variables collected under the act are as follows: sex, designated group membership, salary range, occupational group, hire, promotion and termination data, employer location, and number of employees.

Indication of how long each individual variable has been collected.

Sex (collected since 1986), designated group membership (collected since 1986), salary ranges (collected since 1986), occupational groups (collected since 1986), hire, promotion and termination data (collected since 1986), employer location (collected since 1986), number of employees (collected since 1986).

Examples of analysis/analyses you have undertaken, or that could be undertaken, using these variables.

Since 1987, the Labour Program has conducted an annual analysis of the representation rates for the 4 designated groups using aggregate data sets, as a measure of employer's progress in achieving employment equity within the federally regulated private sector.

Reports to be publicly released in fiscal year 2020 to 2021, where microdata is to be aggregated and which will provide GBA+

• Employment Equity Act: Annual Report (published annually since 1987)