2022-2023 Departmental Results Report: Gender-based analysis plus - Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Section 1: institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance:

Under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors must be considered in the impact assessment of designated projects. To meet this requirement, in 2022–23, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) integrated Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) throughout assessment processes, which supports the understanding of how different groups within a community may be affected by a project. This analysis is applied to information and studies gathered during the Impact Statement phase by proponents and is reflected in the Agency’s or a review panel’s impact assessment reports to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Cabinet.

Incorporating GBA Plus into assessment processes aligns with the requirements of the IAA and the Agency’s Action Plan on Diversity and Inclusion. The Agency’s commitments to GBA plus is also in accordance with larger calls to address equity, diversity, and inclusion within the public service, such as the Many Voices One Mind and the Clerk of the Privy Council’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service.

The Agency’s President is responsible for providing leadership and dedicating sufficient resources to ensure that GBA Plus is incorporated throughout Agency initiatives and processes, including monitoring and reporting on initiatives and processes. Agency Vice-Presidents are responsible for implementing GBA Plus into their respective areas of responsibility, including the ongoing monitoring of their programs. In particular:

• the Vice-President of Operations is responsible for implementing GBA Plus across project-level impact assessments under the IAA, and incorporating it into ongoing performance measurement of their programs;
• the Vice-President of Strategic Policy and Programs is responsible for implementing GBA Plus for strategic policy, Cabinet-related work, monitoring, follow-up, and enforcement, as well as incorporating it into ongoing performance measurement of their programs;
• the Vice-President of Indigenous Relations is responsible for implementing GBA Plus in the policy development and administration of programs related to, and in consultation with, Indigenous Peoples, on impact assessments and capacity-building and participant funding administration, as well as incorporating it into ongoing performance measurement of their programs; and
• the Vice President of Corporate Services is responsible for promoting GBA Plus policy in internal services, and ensuring all Agency sectors are incorporating it into the ongoing performance measurement of their programs.

Capacity:

Regardless of level, Agency staff are responsible for applying GBA Plus in their work and initiatives, taking training, staying informed of GBA Plus issues, and using available GBA Plus tools. In 2022–23, the Agency’s Diversity and Inclusion Champions promoted GBA Plus, raising awareness of its importance and promoting ways to strengthen intersectional analysis throughout the Agency.

As the subject matter expert on GBA Plus, the Agency’s Strategic Policy and Programs Sector coordinates the implementation of GBA Plus across the Agency. In 2022–23, this Sector developed tools and resources, such as a set of best practices to ensure that GBA Plus is integrated into the planning and delivery of engagement activities to help Agency staff understand and apply GBA Plus in their work and provide guidance in incorporating GBA Plus into project assessments.

To further support awareness of, and expertise in, GBA Plus, the Corporate Services Sector has made GBA Plus-related training mandatory for all Agency staff. Additionally, in 2022–23, the Planning, Reporting and Evaluation Division collaborated with all sectors to incorporate GBA Plus into the Agency’s performance measurement frameworks (e.g., Performance Information Profiles, Performance Measurement Strategies, and Horizontal Results Framework) to ensure data is being collected to monitor and report impacts from a GBA Plus lens.

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Impact Assessment

Program name: Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring

Program goals: The goal of this program is to conduct high quality assessments of designated projects, and monitor and verify compliance with mitigation measures, thereby preventing or reducing adverse effects while supporting economic growth. In addition to contributing to sustainability and protecting the environment, this program aims to contribute to the social and economic well-being and preserve the health of Canadians. For projects assessed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012), the Agency considers GBA Plus and includes the results in the Memorandum to Cabinet that informs decision-making. For projects under the IAA, through the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, the Agency requires proponents to incorporate GBA Plus into their Impact Statement, including a description of related proposed mitigation and follow-up programs. This program ensures that GBA Plus is considered throughout assessment processes (including project, regional, and strategic assessments) and, where necessary, proposes targeted strategies to mitigate or eliminate the potential negative impacts of a project while identifying ways to broaden the benefits to more sub-populations within a community.

Target population: All Canadians

Specific demographic group outcomes: Stakeholders and members of the public affected by a designated project and assessment-related policies

Core responsibility: Impact Assessment

Program name: Indigenous Relations and Engagement

Program goals: This program aims to advance the Crown’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples and meaningful engagement in federal assessments through communication and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, engagement with Indigenous Peoples in policy development, and consultations during project assessments. The Agency applies GBA Plus in consultations and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, engagement on policies, and capacity-building funding for diverse groups (e.g., Indigenous women). Through this program, the Agency requests feedback from diverse Indigenous groups, implements policies based on feedback, and disburses funds to support participation in consultation activities. GBA Plus is used to ensure the meaningful participation of diverse Indigenous Peoples and capture their diverse voices, interests, and perspectives, support Indigenous stewardship and jurisdiction, and advance reconciliation. The Agency compiles GBA Plus data that Indigenous Peoples, proponents, other departments, and the public submit to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry throughout assessment processes.

Target population: Indigenous communities

Specific demographic group outcomes: Indigenous communities affected by a designated project and assessment-related policies

Key Program impacts on gender and diversity:

Not available

GBA Plus data collection plan:

As the Agency begins to implement its Performance Information Profiles and 2023–24 to 2027–28 Horizontal Results Framework, GBA Plus data will be systematically collected as part of ongoing performance measurement and monitoring starting in 2023-24.

In February 2023, the Agency started collecting feedback from participants in public engagement sessions; however, disaggregated data based on GBA Plus factors are unavailable due to the small sample size.

Scales

Gender scale

• First group: predominantly men (80% or more men)
• Second group: 60% to 79% men
• Third group: broadly gender-balanced
• Fourth group: 60% to 79% women
• Fifth group: predominantly women (80% or more women)

Income-level scale

• First group: strongly benefits low-income individuals (strongly progressive)
• Second group: somewhat benefits low-income individuals (somewhat progressive)
• Third group: no significant distributional impacts
• Fourth group: somewhat benefits high-income individuals (somewhat regressive)
• Fifth group: strongly benefits high-income individuals (strongly regressive)

Age-group scale

• First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations
• Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
• Third group: primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation