Transition binder one for the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Table of content

Mandate, Vision and Raison d’être
Departmental Legislation
Financial Overview
Core Responsibility: Advance Gender Equality in Canada
Organizational Chart
Key Dates/Opportunities – First 100 Days
External Environment

Mandate, Vision and Raison d’être

Mandate

The mandate of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders, including women, in Canada’s economic, social, and political life. This application of a gender and diversity lens will help us to understand better the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors. These factors include but are not limited to race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, place of residence and disability.

WAGE works within the context of a number of federal and international instruments that support the principle of gender equality such as: the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

WAGE’s priorities include, but are not limited to, the following:

advancing the development of a National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.
leading the implementation of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) across the federal government and working to improve the quality and scope of GBA Plus in future budgets.
implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
providing expert advice and strategic support to federal departments and agencies in the development of policies, programs and legislation related to gender equality, including gaps in health research and care.
sharing research and policy expertise with organizations and other levels of governments that have the levers to address gender equality issues.
sustaining funding commitments to Canadian women’s organizations and equality-seeking groups, including supporting community action to tackle systemic barriers that perpetuate gender inequality.
supporting the creation of more accessible and affordable childcare and access to housing that is affordable and meets the needs of Canadian women and girls.
supporting Canada’s efforts to meet international obligations on promoting gender equality abroad.
promoting commemorative dates related to gender equality.

WAGE’s mandate is delivered nationally and through five regions: Atlantic; Quebec and Nunavut; Ontario; Prairies; and Pacific. Regional offices are located in Moncton, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. The national office is located in Gatineau (22 and 15 Eddy).

Vision

A Canada where people of all genders, including women, are equal in every way and can achieve their full potential.

Raison d’être

WAGE works to advance gender equality through an intersectional gendered lens. Working in partnership with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, labour groups, the private sector, other orders of government, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, we actively promote the inclusion of all people in Canada’s economic, social, and political life. WAGE works to uphold its mandate to advance gender equality by performing a central coordination function within the Government of Canada by developing and implementing policies, providing grants and contributions, delivering programs, investing in research, and providing advice to achieve equality for people of all genders, including women.

Departmental Legislation

Background

The Department for Women and Gender Equality Act, which came into force in December 2018, transformed the former Status of Women Canada (SWC) into a full department called the Department for Women and Gender Equality, overseen by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality.

The former Office of Co-ordinator, Status of Women, known as Status of Women Canada, was originally created through an Order in Council and was given a mandate in the 1976 Appropriations Act No. 3, to coordinate policy with respect to the status of women and administer related programs.

Dedicated departmental legislation establishing the Department solidifies the roles and responsibilities that had been undertaken by the former SWC and its Minister, making that work more transparent and more entrenched while expanding the official mandate.

The expanded mandate of the new Department also formalizes as a responsibility of the Minister the promotion of a greater understanding of the Government’s gender and diversity lens, known as Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus), which involves the examination of the policy and program impacts of the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors including race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic condition, place of residence and disability.

Annex A

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/W-11.3/page-1.html

Financial Overview

Program Funding

Women’s Program (WP): to advance equality for women in Canada by working to address or remove systemic barriers impeding women’s progress and advancement.

$19M ongoing: since 2007, the department has had an annual grants and contributions base funding of $19.0M.
Capacity Building: to increase capacity of women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations working to advance women’s equality.
- $100M over 5 years, starting in 2018-19
National Conversations on Gender Equality with Young Canadians: to lead a national conversation on gender equality with young Canadians.
- $7.2M over 5 years, starting in 2018-19
Campus Violence: to work with stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, to develop a framework to prevent and address gender-based violence at post-secondary institutions.
- $5.4M over 5 years, starting in 2018-19
Commemoration Fund: to support Indigenous organizations and governments to honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and LGBTQ2S individuals.
- $10M over 3 years, starting in 2018-19
Budget 2019: to enable further community action to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country
- $160M over 5 years, starting in 2019-20
Emergency Funding for Shelters and Sexual Assault Centres: for organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.
- $90M in 2020-21

Gender-Based Violence Funding Program (GBVP): to develop and implement promising practices to address gaps in support for survivors and their families.

$55M over 6 years, starting in 2017-18, and $12.1M ongoing

Human Trafficking: to support the development, delivery, and testing of innovative promising practices in prevention programs for vulnerable populations and short-term continuum of care interventions for survivors of human trafficking.
- $10M: over four years, starting in 2019-20, and $2M ongoing

Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Program (SSOGIE): to support the social, economic, and political equality of Canadians with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund: to build stronger capacity and networks of LGBTQ2 community organizations to advance LGBTQ2 equality across Canada.
- $20M over 3 years, starting in 2019–20

Budget 2021: invest $601.3M to advance towards a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, including $415M for WAGE:

$200M over 2 years to support gender-based violence organizations;
$105M over 5 years to enhance the GBV Program, with a focus on initiatives that engage men and boys, combat human trafficking, support at-risk populations and survivors, and provide support for testing and implementing best practices;
$55M over 5 years to bolster the capacity of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to provide gender-based violence prevention programming aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people;
$30M over 5 years for crisis hotlines to serve the urgent needs of more Canadians to prevent the escalation of GBV;
$14M over 5 years for a dedicated secretariat to coordinate ongoing work towards the development and implementation of the National Action Plan to End GBV; and
$11M over 5 years for GBV research and knowledge mobilization

Budget 2021 also announced $15 million over 3 years for WAGE, starting in 2021-22, for a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund dedicated to supporting community-informed initiatives to overcome key issues facing LGBTQ2 communities, such as accessing mental health services and employment support

Women and Gender Equality Canada – Departmental Results Framework

Core Responsibility	Advancing Gender Equality
Description	The Department for Women and Gender Equality advances gender equality for women, including social, economic, and political equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. The Department promotes a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors that include race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, place of residence and disability. The Department develops and coordinates policies and programs; and undertakes research and data collection and analyses related to these policies and programs; and raises public awareness through outreach. The Department provides advice to government to achieve Canada’s gender equality outcomes and goals, including advocacy for gender-based budgeting, and facilitates the advancement of gender equality among other partners and stakeholders, through its expertise, contribution to research and funding to community initiatives. The Department serves as a central point for sharing expertise across Canada and with international partners, and uses this knowledge to inform and support Canada’s gender equality priorities
Departmental Results & Departmental Results Indicators	R1: The Department’s interventions facilitate the advancement of gender equality I1: % of projects funded by the Department that have an impact on reducing systemic barriers to gender equality I2: % of stakeholders that applied knowledge or resources from the Gender-based Violence Knowledge Centre I3: # of partnerships or coalitions with governments, and international, Indigenous, civil society, private sector, and women’s equality-seeking organizations I4: # of federal government data and research gaps filled as identified by the Interdepartmental Committee on Gender Equality
Departmental Results & Departmental Results Indicators	R2: The federal government systematically considers gender equality I5: % of federal organizations satisfied with the Department’s tools and resources to incorporate gender equality considerations into their work I6: # of major new federal initiatives (e.g. policies and programs) that include specific measures to advance gender equality
Programs	Expertise and Outreach: Through its Expertise and Outreach program, the Department for Women and Gender Equality provides tools, expertise and advice: (1) to federal organizations and central agencies on their proposals to Cabinet and the Treasury Board, (2) to further develop the federal government’s intrinsic capacity to conduct GBA+ analyses at all stages of policy development and program delivery, including gender-based budgeting; (3) to provincial, territorial and local governments, private sector civil society organizations that have the levers to address gender equality issues through policy, programming and organizational practices; and (4) to increase public awareness through outreach to the general public. Community Action and Innovation: Through its Community Action and Innovation program, the Department for Women and Gender Equality provides grants and contributions to organizations to implement projects that are designed to strengthen the sector working to advance gender equality and bring some degree of systemic change in the underlying factors that perpetuate inequality at a local and regional level. Internal Services: Internal services groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Acquisitions; Communications Services; Audit, Evaluation and Performance Measurement, Financial Management; Human Resources Management; Information Management; Information Technology; Legal Services; Management and Oversight Services; Material; Real Property; Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Core Responsibility: Advance Gender Equality in Canada
Result	Indicator	Data collection frequency	Methodology
R1: The Department’s interventions facilitate the advancement of gender equality	I1: % of projects funded by the Department that have an impact on reducing systemic barriers to gender equality	Annual	Rationale: All funding by the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s programs is directed to projects that aim to have an impact on reducing systemic barriers to gender equality. This indicator provides information on the extent to which projects were successful in this regard, as set out in project proposals. Such systemic barriers are related to issues such as women in leadership positions, the economic security and prosperity of women, and gender-based violence. This indicator contributes to the assessment of the effectiveness of the Women’s Program and the Gender-based Violence program, and their impact on communities. Calculation / formula: At the end of each project funded by the Department, a Project Officer conducts a qualitative analysis of the narrative and data included in a final project report, and assesses the extent to which the project achieved expected results set out in the Project Results Framework. Since all projects funded by the Department’s programs have as their objective to reduce systemic barriers to gender equality, those projects that were determined to have exceeded, met or met most of the expected results will be considered to have had such an impact. The indicator will be calculated as follows: (Number of funded organizations that have had an impact on systemic barriers) ÷ total number of projects that came to an end over the same period) x 100. Baseline: Results for this indicator will be collected and reported for the first time through the 2018–19 Departmental Results Report. These results will be used to establish a baseline for this indicator. The target will be set for subsequent fiscal years. Definition(s): Impact: the result of the funded project as set out in the Project Results Framework, but can also include unintended positive results related to reducing the barriers to gender equality Systemic barrier: long-term issues that limit the full participation of women and girls in Canadian society and economy, generally relating to issues of women in leadership roles, the economic security and prosperity of women, and gender- based violence. Data source: Final project reports Data owner: Director General, Women’s Program and Regional Operations Note(s): nil
	I2: % of stakeholders that applied knowledge from resources or the Gender-based Violence Knowledge Centre	Annual	Rationale: Knowledge transfer and uptake is one of the primary goals of the Gender- Based Violence Knowledge Centre (KC). This indicator measures the proportion of stakeholders who applied knowledge or resources supported by the KC. It demonstrates the Department’s role as an expert enabler, working with and through others, in support of advancing gender equality through evidence-based decision-making. Calculation / formula: This indicator is calculated using the Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre (KC) Survey, in which respondents are asked if they applied the knowledge or resources from the KC. The numerator is the number of respondents that reported applying knowledge or resources supported by the Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre in a given fiscal year. The denominator is the number of stakeholders who accessed the Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre survey in a given fiscal year. Baseline: The baseline will be established in 2019-20. The target will be greater than 75%. Definition(s): Resources: Includes reports, studies, surveys, data, promising practices and other evidence-based content that will be supported by the KC website. Stakeholder: Defined as a person who can affect or be affected by the organization's actions, objectives and policies; Examples of stakeholders include, but are not limited to Government of Canada departments or employees, funded partners, academics, non-governmental organizations, as well as the general public. Data Source: Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre survey Data Owner: Director General, Policy and External Relations Note(s): nil
	I3: # of partnerships or coalitions with governments, and international, Indigenous, civil society, private sector and women’s equality-seeking organizations	Annual	Rationale: This indicator captures the extent to which the Department facilitates the advancement of gender equality, given much of its work is done through and with others. The Department is engaged in formal collaborations with a broad range of organizations, including governments, Indigenous organizations, civil society, private sector, women’s and equality-seeking organizations. Calculation / formula: This indicator will be presented in two parts and is calculated using data from an annual survey of departmental staff as well as reporting from recipients of project funding from the Capacity-Building call for proposals, the Gender-Based Violence Program and the Women’s Program. Respondents will be asked to indicate the number of partnerships and coalitions in a given reporting period that help advance work focused on gender equality through collaboration, coproduction of resources, tools or materials, or other specific deliverables. Separate counts will be reported for the Department and for recipients of project funding. Baseline: A baseline will be established in 2019-20. Definition(s): Partnerships and coalitions: organizations with whom the Department has collaborations related to gender equality issues, and that would generally feature meetings, joint outputs / documents, focus on specific issues, and would take place over a period of months or years. Partners include: province/territories; Indigenous organizations; other government departments, other national governments; international organizations; civil society organizations; private sector; academics; and women’s equality-seeking organizations. Data source: Annual survey of departmental staff as well as reporting from recipients of project funding. Data owner: Director General, Research, Results, and Delivery; Director General, Women’s Programs Note(s): nil
	I4: # of federal government data and research gaps filled as identified by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Gender Equality	Annual	Rationale: This indicator measures the extent to which the Department is addressing research gaps identified as priority within the federal government context by an Inter- Departmental Committee chaired by the Department. The indicator demonstrates the extent to which the Department is enhancing capacity for an evidence-based policy approach to advancing gender equality by undertaking research and data collection to increase access to evidence and data. Calculation / formula: This indicator is calculated using departmental administrative data, as a count of deliverables completed in a given fiscal year that were identified in the Department’s Gender Equality Data and Research Plan. This Plan is developed based on gaps identified by the Inter-Departmental Committee. Baseline: The baseline and target will be established in 2019-20. Definition(s): Deliverable: Described as the product from a research study conducted or supported by the Department for Women and Gender Equality Inter-Departmental Committee: A committee comprising Assistant Deputy Ministers from a number of departments across the federal government that are critical to issues regarding gender equality and the implementation of the Gender Results Framework. The Committee contributes to the identification of priorities relating to gender equality, both with respect to research and policy. Data source: Gender Equality Data and Research Plan Data owner: Director General, Results and Delivery Note(s): nil
R2: The federal government systematically considers gender equality	I5: % of federal organizations satisfied with the Department’s tools and resources to incorporate gender equality considerations into their work	Annual	Rationale: This indicator measures the satisfaction of federal organizations with the tools the Department for Women and Gender Equality has provided them to support consideration of gender equality in their work. The Department’s objective is to provide those organizations with the necessary tools and supports to help them incorporate considerations for gender equality into their activities. Calculation / formula: The percentage will be calculated by dividing the number of departments/agencies that reported that the Department’s tools and resources exceeded or met their expectations by the number of respondents, x 100. Baseline: The baseline is the 2016/17 Annual survey of Federal departments on GBA+ (68% of respondents indicated that the Department’s tools and resources on GBA+ accessed by their department/agency exceeded or met their expectations). The target will represent an increase. Definition(s): Tools and Resources: GBA+ advice and support; public information materials; research studies and analyses. Satisfaction with tools: Degree to which tools and resources provided by SWC meet the expectations of targeted federal organizations. Data source: Annual survey of federal departments/agencies whose deputy ministers/agency heads are members of the Public Service Management Advisory Committee. Data owner: Director General, Policy and External Relations Note(s): Question in the annual GBA+ survey: As the Government of Canada's centre of expertise on gender equality issues, SWC is a knowledge broker and facilitator; the agency offers input, advice and strategic support to other federal departments and agencies. One of SWC's key responsibilities is to help build capacity and tools to foster the full integration of GBA+ across Government. This includes engaging other departments and agencies through the development of training on GBA+ and the dissemination of tools to support the application of GBA+. In the reporting period, the SWC tools and resources on GBA+ accessed by your department/agency: Exceeded; Met; Met some; or Did not meet your expectations.
	I6: # of major new federal initiatives (e.g. policies and programs) that include specific measures to advance gender equality	Annual	Rationale: This indicator measures the extent to which federal organizations are incorporating gender equality considerations into their core business, especially new policies and programs that have a direct impact on the lives of Canadians. This indicator is important as it provides information on the extent to which GBA+ tools are being applied and having an impact on current government initiatives. Measuring only initiatives that have been made public ensures that cabinet confidence is not affected. Calculation / formula: An annual survey is sent to 49 departments and agencies whose deputy ministers and agency heads are members of the Public Service Management Advisory Committee (PSMAC). Departments and agencies are asked to identify major initiatives that advance gender equality and to provide supporting narrative on the nature of the initiatives. In the next version of the Survey (covering the period of 2017-18), guidance will be provided to further define “major initiatives”. Major initiatives will be counted and reported in one fiscal year only, even if they are multi-year initiatives. These initiatives will be added to calculate a total number. Baseline: Results for this indicator will be collected and reported for the first time through the 2018–19 Departmental Results Report. These results will be used to establish a baseline for this indicator. The target will be set for subsequent fiscal years. Definition(s): Major new federal initiatives are defined non-exhaustively to include public policies and programs, legislation, regulation, policy statements, etc. made public during the reporting period. Major initiatives are those with high levels of complexity, risk, or potential impact on Canadians. Data source: Annual survey of federal departments and agencies on the implementation of GBA+ Data owner: Director General, Policy and External Relations Note(s): nil

Organizational Chart

Women and Gender Equality Canada executive management org chart

Text version

Department for Women and Gender Equality

Executive Management

Deputy Minister

Suzanne Cooper: Chief of Staff

Alia Butt: Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy
- Natalie St Lawrence: A/Director General, Policy & External Relations
- Annette Arsenault: Director General, GBV Policy
Lisa Smylie: Assistant Deputy Minister, Departmental Program and Operations
- Runa Angus: A/ Director General, Corporate Secretary
- Stéphane Lavigne: CFO and Director General, Corporate Services and Human Resources
- Joanna Baker: Director General, Program & Regional Operations
- Kristina Guénette: Director General, Communications & public Affairs
Vacant: Director General, Research, Results & Delivery and Centre of Expertise

Key Dates/Opportunities – First 100 Days

Date	Event	Event Type	Description
October 1 - 31	Women’s History Month	Commemorative and Awareness Days	October was designated as Women’s History Month by the Government of Canada in 1992 to celebrate women and girls across the country who have made, and continue to make, a lasting impact. It provides an opportunity for everyone to learn about the contributions of the amazing women and girls who have shaped our society.
TBC	Governor General Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case	Commemorative and Awareness Days	The Governor General Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case were created in 1979 to mark the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking case, which changed the course of history for women in Canada. They are typically awarded each year in October to recognize individuals from all parts of the country and from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions to advance equality for women and girls in Canada.
November 25-December 10	16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence	Commemorative and Awareness Days	The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a time to promote action to end gender-based violence around the world. This includes: November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women December 6 - National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 10 – International Human Rights Day
December 8-9 -10	39th Annual Meeting of the Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women	Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) meeting	Canada and Saskatchewan will co-chair the 39th annual FPT meeting (via videoconference).
December 16, 2021	Prime Minister’s Youth Council (PMYC)	APMYC Monthly Meeting	Cohort 5 of the PMYC began their mandate on July 29, 2021, while Cohort 4 will end their mandate on December 31, 2021.There is an opportunity for the Minister to meet the new cohort and thank the outgoing cohort for their contributions.

External Environment

Key Groups with Regular Interaction

It is recommended that the Minister engage early with the following key groups.

Women’s Organizations

These organizations (national, regional and local levels) represent the diversity of women’s voices and experiences from across the country in a variety of focus areas, such as research, law reform, economic development, advocacy, women in politics, and violence.

National Indigenous Women’s Organizations and Key National and Regional Organizations

These organizations are the representative Indigenous organizations mandated to speak specifically on behalf of Indigenous women.

LGBTQ2 Organizations

These organizations are representative of efforts to advancing equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Department continues to build relationships and strengthen the capacity of LGBTQ2 organizations.

The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women

This Forum provides a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with Ministers from the 13 Provinces and Territories to advance key priorities affecting women and girls in Canada. A list of our Provincial and Territorial Partners responsible for the Status of Women is attached under Annex A.

Youth-Serving/Youth-Led Organizations

The Youth Secretariat supports a holistic approach to engagement with other federal youth councils, youth-serving/youth-led organizations, provincial/territorial youth councils, youth from National Indigenous Organizations and others.

Annex B

Provincial and Territorial Partners Responsible for the Status of Women
Contact Name	Contact Title
The Honourable Whitney Issik	Associate Minister of Status of Women; Chief Government Whip - Alberta
Dr. Grace Lore	Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity - British Columbia
The Honourable Cathy Cox	Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage – Manitoba
The Honourable Tammy Scott-Wallace	Minister of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture; Minister responsible for Women's Equality - New Brunswick
The Honourable Pam Parsons	Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality - Newfoundland and Labrador
The Honourable Caroline Wawzonek	Minister of Finance; Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women - Northwest Territories
The Honourable Karla MacFarlane	Minister of Community Services; Minister of L'nu Affairs; Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act – Nova Scotia
The Honourable Jane McKenna	Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues - Ontario
The Honourable Natalie Jameson	Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning; Minister responsible for the Status of Women - Prince Edward Island
Mme. Isabelle Charest	Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister of Education - Quebec
The Honourable Laura Ross^{Footnote *}	Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women - Saskatchewan
The Honourable Jeanie McLean	Minister of Education; Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate - Yukon

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Date modified:: 2021-12-22

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