Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

At Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), the Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans has the departmental functional responsibility for Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and oversight on the implementation of the departmental 2020 Gender-based Analysis Plus Strategy.

The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans exists, in part, to advance the integration of GBA Plus within the work of the Department to progress equitable outcomes for all Veterans, inclusive of those in under-represented sub-populations. The Office currently has five full-time equivalents, and is responsible for:

• supporting the development, dissemination, and accessibility of tailored training, tools, and resources and guidance documents to further GBA plus capacity within the Department.
• encouraging the collection of disaggregated data for research, planning and evaluation purposes.
• leading the departmental GBA Plus Network.
• and building departmental capacity in applying an intersectional lens when designing programs, policies, and services.

The Office represents VAC on an interdepartmental GBA Plus Committee led by Women and Gender Equality Canada and is currently undertaking several initiatives to advance GBA Plus capacity in the Department. This includes:

• The development of the GBA Plus ‘one-stop shop’ resource page.
• The development of an evergreen GBA Plus Policy, along with training, tools, and resources to support the mainstreaming of a GBA Plus lens across the Department.
• and the development of an annual Forum focused on women Veterans and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ Veteran communities as under-represented Veteran sub-populations.

In addition to the above noted Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans, the Department supports capacity building, and the development of knowledge and data through the implementation and mainstreaming of several projects and initiatives, including:

• The continued integration of the Road Towards Inclusion Roadmap for Change, to modernize sex and gender information practices in the Department in compliance with TBS policy direction. Through the implementation of this roadmap, VAC has made strides in developing and improving data collection, analysis, and assessment of program impacts based on gender and diversity.
• The ongoing work of developing and improving data collection, analysis, and assessment of program impacts based on gender and diverse identity factors, beginning with a strategy to enable Veterans and other clients to report their gender identity voluntarily when they call into our Contact Centre, use VAC’s online self-service portal, or access service in an area office. This will include confirming our legislative authority and refining the purpose, necessity, and methods of collecting gender identity by reviewing and potentially updating Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and associated Personal Information Banks (PIBs).
• VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is designed to strengthen data literacy, establish a solid foundation of security, ethics, and governance, and ensure data and information is effectively used in decision-making through a GBA Plus lens.
• Continued efforts are being made to ensure that the VAC National Client Survey collects GBA Plus relevant data (including gender, Indigenous Peoples, and visible minority indicators) which allows VAC to disaggregate and analyze findings by subpopulation. Collecting new data allows the Department to ensure Veterans and their families have the right care, treatment, programs, and services.
• Ongoing work with Statistics Canada to identify data linkage opportunities to enhance VAC program data and national survey data. These linkages will allow for further analysis of Veteran program participation by 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous Peoples, and racialized Veterans as well as by gender identifier.
• Established, with Statistics Canada, the 2021 Census Veteran Identifier that will continue to enable the Department to gain valuable information about Canada’s Veteran population. VAC continues to work with Statistics Canada to determine how to collect and analyze disaggregated data with a GBA Plus lens to better understand Veteran demographics, identify unmet needs and evaluate well-being outcomes.
• 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.
• Ongoing initiatives to create validated program data sets with self-service dashboards based on program area reporting requirements, inclusive of available GBA Plus data elements, established through the continued maintenance of a data warehouse containing data extracted from various VAC internal systems. This enhanced reporting tool allows more timely and accurate views of intersecting data elements as more data is made available for use.

In addition to the specific initiatives and projects noted above, the Department is also progressing the use of a GBA Plus lens to better understand the subgroups of Veteran clients, and their needs. Utilizing this knowledge will allow VAC to enhance program and service design, program management, results monitoring, future research, innovation and program evaluation, which will better position the department to ensure client needs are met.

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 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous Peoples, and racialized Veterans, by gender, and Veterans with disabilities and the necessary use of disaggregated research and data to provide inclusive/tailored/adaptive programs and services as needed to these Veterans and client groups.

In September 2021, VAC established a Diversity and Inclusion Centre of Excellence in Corporate Human Resources (HR). They work with key partners and stakeholders both in and outside of Veterans Affairs, including the Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. As well as working closely with HR colleagues dedicated to understanding and sharing workforce demographics related to the groups designated under the Employment Equity Act, enabling the work of the National Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (NDIAC) and the Champion of Inclusion. Recently the Centre of Excellence launched Mentorship Plus, a sponsorship program for equity seeking communities. They are also drafting the Employment Equity and Diversity Action Plan (2023-2025), which will include recommendations on hiring and promotion, diversity and inclusion governance and programming to drive a culture of inclusion and belonging.

VAC conducted a third-party Employment Systems Review (ESR), as required by the Employment Equity Act. This foundational piece will be used in creating a new Employment Equity and Diversity Action Plan for VAC. Consultations and focus groups with VAC employees focused on hiring, advancement, and inclusion for equity-seeking groups. The ESR also looked at our employment policies, systems, data, practices, and experiences to identify barriers for these employees.. The findings and recommendations from the ESR report will form the central pillar of the next Employment Equity and Diversity Action Plan (2023-2025).

In summer 2021, VAC established a Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force within HR for a period of 18 months. The group is responsible for researching and identifying barriers to diversity and inclusion within the Department through the review of policies, processes and practices. The outcomes of the review will aid the department in understanding systemic barriers and gaps for employees, while also bringing forward recommendations to address and remove gaps preventing equity, diversity and inclusion within VAC. Their final recommendations will form part of the Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

The NDIAC is comprised of employees from across the country who are members of equity-seeking communities or allies. NDIAC is a key part of the department’s diversity and inclusion efforts supporting the identification and elimination of barriers impacting marginalized and equity seeking communities within VAC. NDIAC aids the Department in determining the actions needed to create and sustain a diverse and inclusive workplace by reviewing, assessing and challenging departmental practices while offering advice, guidance and recommendations to ensure a respectful, inclusive and barrier-free workplace.

National Employee Council (NEC) is a representative group of employees from across the department who are led by an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) champion. Their objective is to make Veterans Affairs the envy of the Public Service by providing a voice for employees, fostering engagement and a sense of pride, and inspiring positive change. They conducted a 2021 Employee Pulse Survey. This survey is unique to VAC and is created by and for VAC employees. The NEC uses the results to identify opportunities for improvement and to frame recommendations for senior management. This year, a GBA Plus lens was applied to the design and disaggregation of the data and analysis to help us better understand who we are as diverse employees.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Veterans Affairs is continuing its work towards GBA Plus by developing and improving data collection, analysis, and assessment of program impacts on gender and diversity. As a first step, we are currently working on a plan for Veterans and other clients to report their gender identity voluntarily. This will be collected when Clients call into our Contact Centre, use VAC’s online self-service portal, or access service in an area office. Also:

• We are collaborating with Privacy and Information Management (PIM) to confirm our legislative authority and refine the purpose, necessity, and methods of collecting gender identity by reviewing and potentially updating PIAs and associated PIBs;
• We are working with Statistics Canada to identify connections between VAC program data and national survey data.

These efforts allow for further analysis of Veteran program participation by 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, and racialized Veterans as well as by gender identifier so we may continue to improve service delivery.

General notes regarding data presented in the tables below.

• Veteran Population Estimates are as of March 31, 2022. Figures may not add due to rounding.
• The 'Other' sex category is populated using in cases where the sex data of client is missing, hence being categorized as 'unknown'.
• Occurrences where the performance indicator is 'unknown' but the sex is known have been removed from the counts. Therefore, performance indicator totals may not match program totals.

Core Responsibility 1: Benefits, Services and Support

Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data:

Note: CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The CRB program continues to collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus). Notable initiatives that were taken in 2021-22 to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

• The CRB program invested resources to create a guided application form is being developed to increase the collection of GBA Plus information and should be released within 2022-23.
• The Department is focused on developing a Client Demographic dashboard that will allow for effective review of program data collected and this work should be completed by the end of 2022-23. This dashboard will assist the CRB program in monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Once the dashboard has been rolled out, new data elements can be added when the Department implements the VAC Information and Data Strategy aimed to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.

Disability Benefits

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data:

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2022.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2022.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2022.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2022.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Starting during the 2021-2022 year, we produced a weekly internal report that provides the turnaround times for female and male applicants as well as French and English applications. The report is provided to management to ensure that we continue to make progress toward equitable turnaround times. In addition, we have added Language and Sex data to weekly production reports so that management can better monitor in-progress applications and make adjustments as needed to work toward equity.

Health Care Benefits

Target Population: Veterans

Other data:

Note: Treatment Benefits includes year-end Veteran clients for whom data was available. Includes Treatment and Health Related Travel transactions.

Note: Treatment Benefits includes year-end Veteran clients for whom data was available. Includes Treatment and Health Related Travel transactions.

Note: Treatment Benefits includes year-end Veteran clients for whom data was available. Includes Treatment and Health Related Travel transactions.

Note: Treatment Benefits includes year-end Veteran clients for whom data was available. Includes Treatment and Health Related Travel transactions.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Department is developing a program dashboard for Health Care Benefits that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Work is ongoing, and this dashboard is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Program management is also working with the Business Intelligence Unit to develop interim options to support GBA Plus analysis while the program dashboard is in development. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Income Support

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data for Income Replacement Benefits (IRB):

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2022.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2022.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2022.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2022.

Other data for Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS):

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2022.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2022.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2022.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2022.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Income Support Programs is inclusive of both the CFIS and the IRB and continues to use client demographic data to inform their work and support the GBA Plus analysis of current recipients. The development of the program dashboard for IRB is still underway. It will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Due to other departmental priorities and capacity limitations work on the IRB dashboard has been temporarily stalled. The development of IRB dashboard will resume in the fall of 2022, new timelines will be provided at that time.

Long term care (LTC)

Target Population: Veterans, Seniors

Other data:

Note: LTC represents Veteran clients who were alive and in a bed as of March 31, 2022. They do not include Veterans inpatients funded through Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Nursing Home Intermediate Care (NHIC). Counts are determined using Residential Care Support System data; periodically, administrative errors are flagged and corrected, which can lead to minor variations in the number of clients deemed to be LTC versus VIP NHIC throughout the year.

Note: LTC represents Veteran clients who were alive and in a bed as of March 31, 2022. They do not include Veterans inpatients funded through VIP NHIC. Counts are determined using Residential Care Support System data; periodically, administrative errors are flagged and corrected, which can lead to minor variations in the number of clients deemed to be LTC versus VIP NHIC throughout the year.

Note: LTC represents Veteran clients who were alive and in a bed as of March 31, 2022. They do not include Veterans inpatients funded through VIP NHIC. Counts are determined using Residential Care Support System data; periodically, administrative errors are flagged and corrected, which can lead to minor variations in the number of clients deemed to be LTC versus VIP NHIC throughout the year.

Note: LTC represents Veteran clients who were alive and in a bed as of March 31, 2022. They do not include Veterans inpatients funded through VIP NHIC. Counts are determined using Residential Care Support System data; periodically, administrative errors are flagged and corrected, which can lead to minor variations in the number of clients deemed to be LTC versus VIP NHIC throughout the year.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Department is developing a program dashboard for LTC that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens (no target dates have been assigned for LTC yet). Program management is also working with the Business Intelligence Unit to develop interim options to support GBA Plus analysis while the program dashboard is in development. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Research and Innovation

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Distribution of Benefits: GBA Plus data is not yet available for this program due to the nature of 3^rd party data

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

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

• Established, with Statistics Canada, the 2021 Census Veteran Identifier that will continue to enable the Department to gain valuable information about Canada’s Veteran population.
• Working with Statistics Canada to determine how to collect and analyze disaggregated data with a GBA Plus lens to better understand Veteran well-being and identify unmet needs. This includes identification of data linkage opportunities to enhance VAC program data and national survey data. This will allow further analysis of Veteran program participation by 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, and racialized Veterans as well as by gender.
• Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund updated their application form to demonstrate how the proposed project could; support equity seeking groups (such as women, 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, and homeless Veterans), align with GBA Plus considerations, and adhere to SAGER guidelines. The Veteran Family Well-being Fund (VFWF) project reporting templates now require organizations to describe how their projects align with GBA Plus considerations. If the project relates to Veteran homelessness, organizations are required to collect and report data on the Veteran clients they serve.
• 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. Both submit an annual GBA Plus report on activities specifically targeted to the needs of the diverse Veteran population.

Both Centres of Excellence collect sufficient data to monitor and report on program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus) by respecting federal guidelines regarding GBA Plus, submitting an annual GBA Plus report and including the use of a GBA Plus Research Checklist with disaggregated research to identify potential differences due to multiple aspects of identity.

VAC has recently renewed its Contribution Agreement with The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (formerly known as the Centre of Excellence on PTSD and Related Mental Health Conditions) for five years (2022-2027). As part of this agreement research proposals funded will conform with the SAGER informing how research proposals are to be designed, conducted, and reported to identify knowledge gaps and to ensure equitable representation of under-represented groups, including women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans. The current Contribution Agreement with the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence will end in March 2023. VAC has initiated steps to renew the Contribution Agreement and include conformity with SAGER for research proposals. The Centres are expanding data collection on chronic pain and mental health. By expanding data collection through research and partnerships, the Centres will continue to identify knowledge gaps regarding sex and gender differences in the experience of chronic pain and mental health and develop tools and services to enhance the well-being of under-represented Veterans and their Families.

Transition Services

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data for Career Transition Services (CTS):

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Other data for Education and Training Benefits (ETB):

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2021-22.

Other data for Rehabilitation:

Note: Rehab counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2022.

Note: Rehab counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2022.

Note: Rehab counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2022.

Note: Rehab counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2022.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Dashboards for Transition Services were developed and are being used to review, monitor and report on transition activities and service outcomes, using a GBA Plus lens. A request for proposal for CTS was posted, as the current contract is set to expire in 2023. The statement of work includes language that stresses the need to support all Government of Canada reporting requirements, including those for gender and diversity.

The ETB program continues to collect sufficient data to monitor and/or report program impacts by sex and diversity (GBA Plus). Notable initiatives that were taken in 2021-22 to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

• The Department is focused on developing an ETB-centric dashboard that will allow for effective review of program data collected. This work should be completed by the end of 2022-23. This dashboard will assist the ETB program in monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Once the dashboard has been rolled out, new data elements can be added when the Department implements the VAC Information and Data Strategy aimed to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward.
• Existing ETB client demographic data is still 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.

Additional info related to Transition (Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program):

Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (RSVP) is one of the key programs under Transition Services. With the procurement of a Third Party Contractor as of June 30, 2021, the program area has an opportunity to develop and implement a fulsome strategy for data collection for GBA Plus. The focus of the GBA Plus strategy over the last 12 months starts with aligning attributes and data values proposed by the contractor Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS) to develop a framework to align with VAC's strategy to modernize how sex and gender information is applied to improve the delivery of services. In doing so, the attributes collected via the new service delivery model will allow for the following:

• GBA Plus data collected will allow for the development of a "responsive" rehabilitation plan; the plan will address the specific needs of the Veteran/participant with the intent to improve their service delivery experience;
• Collection of GBA Plus data will help to enhance training materials and overall sensitivity to our participants. Staff that work with our Veteran/participants will have current, culturally appropriate skills/tools to offer services in an anti-oppressive manner.

Steps achieved beyond 2021-22:

• GBA Plus strategy proposed by National Contractor (PCVRS) to VAC - April 29, 2022;
• Incorporation of approved strategy to include attributes and data values for collection - present and ongoing until implementation November 22, 2022;
• Quarterly reporting of statistical data/findings post implementation - starting November 2022 onward The collection of GBA Plus data will be done voluntarily and only with informed consent. In an effort to minimize harm, participants will have the opportunity to self-identify and describe their own identifies rather than using past methods of pre-determined selection options. The National Contractor is expected to comply and ensure safeguards related to privacy, confidentiality and security so as to protect our participants and maintain the integrity of the collection and use of this data. Finally, program area has been involved in the development of a client demographic dashboard, which will increase the ability to analysis and evaluate the impact of identity factors.

Currently, VAC receives the annual "Veteran Family Program - Year at a Glance" Report from Military Family Services, which is generated by the Penelope (Case Management) software. This report provides demographic data including gender, age, family status/relationship to the member, geographic location, etc.

Available data supports ongoing review and monitoring efforts regarding usage and trend analysis by specific demographic audiences.

Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF)

Target Population: Veterans, Families, Low-income individuals and/or families

Other data for Veterans Emergency Fund:

Note: This table is a comparison of VEF clients to the estimated Veteran population. Survivors are excluded to allow for a direct comparison of the groups.

Note: This table include survivors.

Note: This table include survivors.

Note: This table include survivors.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The program continues to collect sufficient data enabling it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus). Notable initiatives that were taken in 2021-22 to expand the program’s capacity to report on impacts by gender and diversity in the future are:

• The Department developed and released a VEF-centric dashboard allowing for effective review of program data collected and it also allows the VEF program to monitor and report program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Once the Department implements the VAC Information and Data Strategy aimed to improve the ability to analyze the impact of intersecting identity factors going forward, new data elements can be added to the dashboard.
• The VEF program started work on developing a guided application form to increase the collection of GBA Plus information.

Veterans Independence Program (VIP)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data:

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2021–22 and were alive as of March 31, 2022.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2021–22 and were alive as of March 31, 2022.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2021–22 and were alive as of March 31, 2022.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2021–22 and were alive as of March 31, 2022.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Department is developing a program dashboard for the VIP that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens (expected to begin development in November 2022). Program management is also working with the Business Intelligence Unit to develop interim options to support GBA Plus analysis while the program dashboard is in development. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

War Veterans Allowance (WVA)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Other data:

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2022.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2022.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2022.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2022.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Currently the WVA program collects sufficient data upon application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement; however, it does not regularly collect and analyze GBA Plus 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 WVA 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 Plus analysis of current recipients of War Veterans Allowance.

Core Responsibility 2: Commemoration

Canada Remembers Program

Target Population: Veterans, General Public, Youth

Distribution of Benefits: GBA Plus data is not available for this program

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Canada Remembers Program is one of VAC’s program areas that does not provide direct service to clients. The program provides a variety of services, many of which do collect some data, but the data collected is on Veterans participating in delegations, in order to help with the planning process. However, the Department is exploring opportunities to improve its capacity to collect and analyze GBA+ data to better inform program results.

Funeral and Burial Program

Target Population: Veterans

Distribution of Benefits: GBA Plus data is not yet available for this program as it is administered by a third party and the data is not readily available.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

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.

Core Responsibility 3: Veterans Ombudsperson

Veterans Ombudsperson

Target Population: Veterans, Families, Military Personnel

Distribution of Benefits: GBA Plus data is not yet available for this program

Key Program impacts on Gender and diversity

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The OVO made adjustments to the data collected from clients during intake and has offered clients the option to identify their gender, including the following categories: Woman, Man, Another Gender. The requirement to self-identify is optional and not a requirement to receive services from the OVO.

In the first quarter of 2021-22, the OVO’s client satisfaction survey was amended to include questions relating to gender and diversity. This information was collected on a voluntary basis from participants through 3 surveys during 2021-22 fiscal year.