Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)

Gender-based analysis plus (GBA+)

Institutional GBA+ Capacity

The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans was created in July 2019 and formally launched in March 2020 with the implementation of the recent departmental Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) Strategy and Framework as a key part of its mandate. This new office aims to progress the integration of GBA+ within the work of the Department in order to advance equitable outcomes for all Veterans, inclusive of those in under-represented sub-populations, by supporting the development of tailored training and resources for Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) employees; encouraging the collection of disaggregated data for research and planning purposes; and building departmental capacity in applying an intersectional lens to all Budget Proposals, Memorandums to Cabinet, Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Submissions and Regulatory Packages.

In addition, the work of the Gender Inclusive Services project aims to modernize sex and gender information management practices in compliance with the new TBS policy direction and will be integrated with the work required in the Veterans Affairs Canada Information and Data Strategy, under the shared governance of an Executive (Director General level) Data Stewards Committee led by the Chief Data Officer (CDO). This recognizes the need for a senior governance body that aligns departmental priorities and objectives around data, including GBA+. The committee provides high-level leadership and strategic direction on matters related to the collection, the safeguards, and the uses of data for the purposes of performance reporting and measurement at Veterans Affairs Canada. This strategy is designed to shift the culture at VAC and to enable data and information to be leveraged to improve decision-making for the benefit of Veterans and their families, Canadians, and employees.

Currently the department collects and can report on several GBA+ data elements such as sex, age, language, marital status, geographic location, service type (Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP), client type (survivor, spouse, dependent, Veteran, etc.), homelessness, level of disability (%), and if client is assessed as having a Diminished Earnings Capacity. However, not all data elements are currently captured and used within individual programs, although work has begun to develop validated datasets for use by each program and service area making the data more readily available to end users. In addition to the GBA+ data elements mentioned here, the department also captures data on military characteristics where applicable like military service branch (army, navy, air force), release type (medical, non-medical/voluntary), rank at release, time since release, and length of service allowing for disaggregated data analysis across various sub-groups. This client data is primarily used to determine eligibility to programs and/or entitlement to benefits and services. Other GBA+ data elements planned to be incorporated in the future include such elements as gender (as the default rather than sex), education, race, ethnicity, indigeneity and cross-program participation. The 2020 annual VAC National Survey recently collected gender, indigenous, and visible minority indicators from client participants. The 2021 Census will contain a Veteran Identifier that will enable the Department to gain missing information about Canada’s Veteran population. Collecting new data will allow the Department to ensure Veterans and their families have the right care, treatment, programs and services.

The enterprise data team develops and maintains the departmental data warehouse containing data extracted from various systems collection points. With the data warehouse as the source, validated program data sets are being developed and maintained with self-service dashboards based on program area reporting requirements, inclusive of GBA+ data elements, providing program areas with ready access to the data elements required to better manage program outcomes. This enhanced reporting tool will allow more timely and accurate views of intersecting data elements as more data is made available for use.

Ongoing investment in the Business Intelligence Unit (BIU) is focused on exploring our client population and sub-populations’ characteristics to increase VAC’s understanding of their overall and unique needs, and uses the Well-Being and GBA+ frameworks to guide synthesis of client and program information and data to support evidence-based decision making. BIU uses a GBA+/intersectional data analysis lens to monitor, analyze and report on VAC programs and services, service standards, and to drive their client research agenda (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, public opinion research). This contributes to enhanced program management and evaluation, and departmental level performance measurement results and initiatives.

Applying GBA+ is also a standard consideration in the new Innovation Hub’s human-centred design process ensuring that consultations include representatives from various gender and diverse populations and that developed solutions, performance measurement, and monitoring of individual initiatives include consideration of gender and diversity impacts, for example gender bias in existing processes, and test comparisons across sub-populations (where feasible and applicable).

Finally our Audit and Evaluation team has made a commitment to include a GBA+ analysis in evaluations and promote the requirement to collect data to support such analysis across all departmental programs. Efforts to improve diversity and inclusion are aimed at shifting the culture of the organization to focus on equitable outcomes, by understanding the unique needs of under-represented sub-groups like women, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous, Black and racialized Veterans and Veterans with disabilities and the necessary use of disaggregated research and data to provide tailored/adaptive programs and services to these Veterans and client groups.

Highlights of GBA+ Results by Program

Disability Benefits

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Disability Benefits program collects and/or has access to GBA+ data elements like age, sex, marital status, language and geographical location (derived from postal code), as well as military characteristics of their clients. Some of this information is used to administer the program and to determine the eligibility of the client for various benefits and supports. Additionally, the department depends on clients to report data changes that aren’t directly related to benefits. In terms of measuring the impact of the program, Disability Benefits has access to a validated program dataset and self service dashboard. The dashboard allows managers to monitor client usage of the program by age and sex; the dataset contains additional indicators such as level of assessed disability and geographic location on which reports can be built for monitoring and analysis. As additional data elements are added to the data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy, these will be incorporated for use in the analysis of program impacts.
  • Additionally, Disability Benefits is working to ensure equitable service standard results between men and women currently reflecting biological sex with the planned addition of a gender identifier including a non-binary marker, as well as between French and English speaking clients. These comparisons can be expanded to include other identity factors to mitigate the risk of unconscious bias and/or unintended discrimination in its program policy design, delivery and/or evaluation. Finally, Disability Benefits has recently released a strategy to address the long standing issue of wait times for Disability Benefits. This strategy outlines many initiatives, including the enhanced use of a GBA+ lens, in order to ensure all applicants are treated and processed equitably.

Health Care Benefits

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Health Care Benefits program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+) at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal code), language, and a homelessness indicator. Health Care Benefits can access client demographic data, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department, to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of Health Care Benefits.
  • In addition, third party service providers who administer treatment benefits on behalf of the department, collect and report on usage data for enhanced reporting capability where additional data elements are deemed necessary for the effective administration of the program. The Department is currently working on various GBA+ initiatives related to enhancing data collection through implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy, aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward. Consultations are taking place with Health Canada in regards to their GBA+ initiatives for the users of specific programs within Health Care Benefits with the aim of sharing best practices.
  • The Department is developing a dashboard for Health Care Benefits that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA+ lens. This dashboard is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Transition Services

This program has impacts that support the following pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework:

  • Pillar 1: Education and Skills Development
  • Pillar 2: Economic Participation and Prosperity
  • Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Transition Services program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+) at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal code), language, and a homelessness indicator. Transition Services, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of Transition Services.
  • Within Transition Services, some programs also have third party contractors who provide regular reports. Transition Services is working to ensure that moving forward, new contracts with third parties will highlight the need to support all Government of Canada reporting requirements, including those for gender and diversity (GBA+). Working with third parties also helps VAC gain valuable knowledge of best practices in private industry, as they relate to reporting around equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • The Department is developing dashboards for the various subprograms within Transition Services that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA+ lens. These dashboards are expected to be completed by the end of 2021. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Long Term Care

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Long Term Care program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. Long Term Care, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of Long Term Care.
  • Additionally, because Long Term Care is a program that pays for access to services for eligible Veterans from independent service providers. the type of services offered will vary across facilities and provinces based on their own specific operating guidelines. Through the administration of these third party service contracts, collection and reporting on disaggregated data is limited to the data elements that are available and deemed necessary for the effective administration of the program.
  • The Department is developing a dashboard for Long Term Care that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA+ lens. This dashboard is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Veterans Independence Program

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. VIP, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of VIP services.
  • The Department is developing a program dashboard for VIP that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA+ lens. This dashboard is expected to be completed by mid 2022. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Caregiver Recognition Benefit

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB) program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time, existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. The Caregiver Recognition Benefit program, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department, can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of Caregiver Recognition Benefits.
  • Additionally, the Caregiver Recognition Benefit program performs periodic file reviews to monitor the impacts of this program, and is working to enhance GBA+ capacity. Specifically, one of the changes consists of updating the CRB application form to increase GBA+ related data collection.
  • The Department is developing a program dashboard that will allow for effective review of program data collected and is slated to be completed by the end of 2021. This will assist the Caregiver Recognition Benefit team in monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA+ lens. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

War Veterans Allowance

This program has impacts that support the following pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework:

  • Pillar 2: Economic Participation and Prosperity
  • Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the War Veterans Allowance (WVA) program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. The War Veterans Allowance program, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department, can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of War Veterans Allowance.
  • The Department is also developing a program dashboard that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA+ lens. It is expected to be available at the end of 2021. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Income Support

This program has impacts that support the following pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework:

  • Pillar 1: Education and Skills Development
  • Pillar 2: Economic Participation and Prosperity
  • Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Currently the Income Support program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. The Income Support program, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department, can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of Income Support.
  • The Department is also developing a program dashboard that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA+ lens. It is expected to be available at the end of 2021. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Veterans Emergency Fund

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • As one of VAC’s newer programs, the Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA+ data to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity at this time. Existing client demographic data is captured at the departmental level and can be accessed for monitoring and reporting purposes. This departmental-level data includes age, sex, marital status, geographical location (derived from postal codes), language, and a homelessness indicator. The Veterans Emergency Fund, working closely with enterprise data, corporate statistics and business intelligence within the department, can use this demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA+ analysis of current recipients of VEF.
  • The Veterans Emergency Fund program is working to enhance GBA+ capacity. The program team will determine modifications required to enhance program performance data and client characteristics. Changes will consist of updating the application forms, improving the decision-making process to include increased data collection, and obtaining a program dashboard that will improve the ability to collect and review program data using a GBA+ lens. New data elements can be added as the Department enhances its GBA+ data collection through the implementation of the VAC Information and Data Strategy aiming to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Research and Innovation Fund

This program has impacts that support the following pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework:

  • Pillar 4: Gender Based Violence and Access to Justice
  • Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Research and Innovation includes sub-programs which consist of Grant and/or Contribution agreements made with independent third parties who offer innovative services to Veterans and their families and/or conduct research to better understand and improve Veteran health and wellbeing. The data that is accessed by Research and Innovation stems from the reporting requirements stipulated in the agreements and not client specific demographic data. Research specific proposals funded by the department are encouraged to conform with the Sex and Gender Equity in Research Guidelines (SAGER). These guidelines will inform how research proposals are designed, conducted, and reported to ensure equitable representation of women Veterans and other under-represented groups. These principles will also be considered during the evaluation of applications to the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund to ensure adequate consideration of intersectional impacts across sub-groups of the Veteran population, including women, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous, and homeless Veterans. Data collection, analysis and reporting of disaggregated results/outcomes for funded proposals will also represent Veteran sub-groups.
  • Within the Research and Innovation program is the Centre of Excellence on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Centre of Excellence on Chronic Pain. Veterans Affairs Canada provides annual funding to the Centres of Excellence through an arm’s length contribution agreement. As part of the agreement, the Centres must respect the federal guidelines regarding GBA+ and submit an annual GBA+ report. In the annual GBA+ report, the Centres of Excellence are asked to track and report on evidence of the use of the GBA+ Research Checklist for each new research initiative and evidence of research activities specifically targeted to the mental health needs of the diverse Veteran population.

Canada Remembers Program

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • The Canada Remembers Program is one of VAC’s program areas that does not provide direct service to clients. The Canada Remembers Program provides a variety of services, many of which do collect some data on GBA+ characteristics specific to their needs, such as age, sex, gender, language, education, military service characteristics, (dis)ability, health, and geography. Currently, these data points are being collected primarily for the purposes of program administration; however, the Department is exploring opportunities to improve its capacity to collect and analyze GBA+ data to better inform program results.
  • The Canada Remembers Program aims to be inclusive in the materials it publishes and is cognizant of the need to represent the diverse experiences of the Veteran population, and works to create materials that demonstrate gender balance as well as diverse cultural, ethnic and regional backgrounds when developing learning resources and overseas visitor centre exhibits. Commemoration will apply GBA+ when consulting with Canadians and Veterans to understand how their perspectives and preferences may align with numerous identity factors.

Funeral and Burial Program

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • The Funeral and Burial Program works with a third party provider to ensure eligible Veterans receive a dignified funeral and burial. Currently, in order to administer the program, the third party provider collects data on the date of birth of the client, date of death, sex, marital status, finances/income (assets and liabilities at time of death for Veteran and spouse, if applicable), military service information, health, family structure (whether there is a spouse and/or dependents), and Indigenous name of Veteran (if applicable). This information is used to determine eligibility and for administration of the program. The Funeral and Burial Program also works with Departmental statistics to monitor VAC clients who have passed away to ensure all clients who qualify for the Funeral and Burial Program receive this benefit. As the Department explores opportunities to improve its capacity to collect and analyze GBA+ data, this information can be used to better inform program results.

Veterans Ombudsman

This program has impacts that support the pillar and goal of Pillar 5: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Wellbeing of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • The Office of the Veteran Ombudsman (OVO) works at arms-length from Veterans Affairs Canada. Currently, the complaints received by OVO capture data points on age, sex, military service characteristics, geography by province, language, marital status, service type, and client type. OVO is in the process of switching to gender inclusive data, and instead of being asked for sex, clients will be asked for their gender. OVO is also working to have the statistical reports about complaints received to be disaggregated using identity factors to examine any patterns that might arise within sub-groups. Finally, the client satisfaction survey will be amended to include questions to capture additional identity factors so that discrepancies in client satisfaction can be monitored by subgroup.

Internal Services

Internal Services does not currently have impacts that support specific pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework. However, the program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). Notable initiatives to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

  • Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of Programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Within Internal Services, many areas are working to enhance their GBA+ capacity in order to strive for service excellence in the delivery of our mission.
  • For example, as an internal service, the Communications Division considers GBA+ in its data collection, access and use. This includes using a GBA+ lens in the development of products and services, and the use of an inclusive approach in outreach. Discussions are underway on how best to improve future monitoring and/or reporting techniques, but include initiatives such as the revision of an internal Style Guide to include gender-inclusive recommendations and ensure employees have access to training on plain language communication focused on Veterans and their families.
  • Other initiatives within Internal Services include the work of the VAC Innovation Hub, which was created in 2019 to support program areas in the identification of solutions and to process challenges using a Human-centred Design approach. In doing this work, the Hub engages with program areas, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to identify opportunities during testing and pilot phases, as applicable, to include measures that capture the impact of a solution based on gender and diversity.
  • The Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch (CFOCS) is an additional area within Internal Services working to enhance GBA+ within its work. CFOCS has access to various data holdings that enable it to monitor results of workplace programs, and efforts are ongoing to establish the framework required to support performance monitoring of related areas. Also, CFOCS supports Gender Budgeting Act principles ensuring gender and diversity considerations are taken into account in budget development and resource allocation decisions in order to promote principles of gender equality and greater inclusiveness in society. Diversity and Inclusion initiatives are underway to further diversify the workforce and ensure an inclusive workplace. As VAC evolves its business practices and internal services, GBA+ is being applied to the design, testing, and validation to make sure solutions are found that fit the wide-ranging employee population, as well as the Veteran population, and promote equity for all.
 
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