Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

Introduction

In 2018, Parliament passed the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act. The Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports are being used to fulfill the President of the Treasury Board’s obligations to make public, every year, analysis on the impacts of expenditure programs on gender and diversity.

Each organization is responsible for conducting their own Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

The Policy on Results indicates that Program officials, as designated by Deputy Heads, are responsible for ensuring data collection for meeting policy requirements.

Applicability

All organizations must complete GBA Plus supplementary information tables in Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports on an annual basis.

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Governance and Capacity

Governance

The Policy and Research Division within the Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance Branch of our Department holds functional responsibility for Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and shares the responsibility for implementing the Departmental 2020 GBA Plus Strategy.

The Division promotes the integration of GBA Plus across the Department to ensure equitable outcomes for all Veterans, including those from under-represented sub-populations. This is achieved by supporting the development and accessibility of tailored training and resources for our employees; encouraging the collection of disaggregated data for research, planning, and evaluation purposes; and building departmental capacity to apply an intersectional lens when designing programs, policies, and services.

In 2018, VAC established a senior Executive level GBA Plus Champion. The role of the Champion is to disseminate information and tools, promote special events and days related to GBA Plus, and provide support to departmental branches. Champions play a key role in advancing departmental and Government of Canada initiatives and priorities. Working closely with managers, employees, and program areas, they provide leadership, support, and guidance to raise awareness and drive key priorities and issues within the Department.

VAC also has Champions for Veterans, Accessibility, Inclusion, Women, 2SLGBTQI+ community, and Indigenous employees and those we serve.

We have a GBA Plus Network, which includes members from each branch of the Department, as well as representatives from the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, the Office of the Veterans Ombud, and the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees, The network meets quarterly, or as needed, to help build GBA Plus capacity by sharing knowledge, leveraging best practices, and serving as organizational points of contact for GBA Plus in their respective areas.

The Policy and Research Division also represents the Department on the GBA Plus Interdepartmental Committee, led by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada, which allows us to connect with other federal departments and learn about best practices across the federal government.

Capacity

We have included GBA Plus in all Budget proposals, Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions, and regulatory packages since 2016.

In April 2020, we launched the Veterans Affairs Canada GBA Plus Strategy. We continue to implement the Strategy, focusing on changing the culture and raising awareness to ensure GBA Plus is integrated from the outset of all new initiatives. This ensures we are more responsive to the specific needs of Veterans, making sure our policies, programs, and initiatives are inclusive and barrier free. The Strategy serves as a broad policy framework that outlines our approach and provides the foundation for all areas of the Department to enhance GBA Plus capacity in their respective functions. It also ensures the integration of GBA Plus at all stages of design, development, implementation, monitoring and decision-making.

As part of mainstreaming GBA Plus, we developed a GBA Plus policy to drive equity, diversity, and inclusion in support of the Strategy. This policy outlines how we will continue to integrate GBA Plus principles into all aspects of our work and reinforces a shared commitment across all areas - from research and policy to service delivery and audit and evaluation. The policy establishes clear responsibilities and accountabilities for staff at all levels, emphasizing that GBA Plus is a shared responsibility. It encourages staff to adopt an intersectional mindset to ensure programs, policies and services are designed in an inclusive and equitable manner.

Supporting GBA Plus training for all staff is a key part of this effort For example, we provided VAC- specific GBA Plus competency training, including the guide ‘Applying VAC’s GBA Plus Step Guide’ for Policy Analysts, which helps review program policies through a GBA Plus lens. Meaningful engagement with Veterans with diverse lived experiences remains a critical component of GBA Plus.

In May 2019, we held the first Women Veterans Forum bringing together Veterans, researchers, experts, and organizational leaders to discuss the unique challenges women face after service. In 2020, we hosted a series of four virtual events focused on Women and LGBTQ2+ Veterans. The third Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans forum was held in February 2023, and in March 2024, we hosted another forum dedicated to Women Veterans. A 2SLGBTQI+ forum was scheduled for summer 2024. 

These forums provide opportunities to engage directly with Veterans and stakeholders to better understand the experiences of underrepresented Veterans. We will continue to host forums to listen to the lived experiences of Women,2SLGBTQI+ Veterans, Indigenous Veterans, Black and other racialized Veterans, as well as Veterans with disabilities. These engagements help us identify systemic barriers, inequities, and gaps in our existing policies, programs, and services. Such Forums facilitate collaboration with Veteran communities, stakeholders, partners, and academia, ensuring their input is integrated into our work to achieve equity for all Veterans.

We have an Information and Data Strategy designed to improve decision-making by ensuring better use of data and information. We also maintain a data warehouse that contains data extracted from various internal systems. These data points are used to create validated program data sets and are made available through self-service dashboards based on program area reporting requirements, including GBA Plus data elements. This allows program areas to readily access the information needed to better monitor, manage and track program outcomes. The enhanced reporting tool provides timely and accurate views of intersecting data elements as more data becomes available.

For the first time, the 2021 Canadian Census included a Veteran Identifier,  enabling us to gain valuable insights into Canada’s Veteran population. We are working with Statistics Canada to link our program data with their census and survey data as part of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan. These data linkages will allow us to analyze our programs using identity factors that we do not have the authority to collect, such as information that will help us to better understand our gender-diverse, Indigenous, and racialized Veterans.

Additionally, the 2022 VAC National Client Survey included gender, Indigenous, and visible minority indicators, allowing us to disaggregate and analyze data by subpopulations. Secondary analyses will provide new insights into satisfaction levels, improve service delivery, and support further research into the needs of Veterans.

Through the VAC Veteran and Family Well-being Fund, we support innovative projects and research that respond to the needs of diverse groups of Veterans,  including women, 2SLGBTQI+, homeless, and Indigenous Veterans.

In 2020, we published the strategic direction document, Timely disability benefits decisions: Strategic direction for improving processing times, which  outlined measures to improve services for Veterans and their families by speeding up disability benefits decisions. The document was updated in March 2023, highlighting the progress made over the past two years and setting  priorities through to March 2024.

We are also undergoing a multi-year modernization of the two primary tools used to support decision-making for disability benefits: the Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines and the Table of Disabilities. These tools are being reviewed to ensure they are based on up-to-date health evidence and provide consistent, efficient, and swift decision-making, while considering the diverse health experiences of Veterans.

In September 2021, we added a team dedicated to processing claims from female Veterans. This team is working to address current barriers and close the gap in processing times between female and male applicants.

Our Department also has a GBA Plus page on our internal website, VAC@work, which serves as a centralized GBA Plus knowledge hub. This site  supports staff by providing GBA Plus training materials, tools and resources, a VAC specific GBA Plus Job Aid, and other up-to-date information to build capacity and inform different areas of the Department about GBA Plus.

We continue to implement the Government of Canada’s policy on the Modernization of Sex and Gender Information Practices, reviewing when sex information is required and limiting access to only those who need it for decision-making. We are also exploring ways to recognize gender-diverse Veterans who wish to have their identity factors updated in our systems and acknowledged by our employees. Additionally, program areas are developing dashboards to report on GBA Plus data as required.

Our Department ensures that all research it funds conforms to principles of Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER). This informs how we design, conduct, and report findings, and ensures fair representation of women Veterans and underrepresented groups in our research initiatives.

We will enhance our cyclical review of program policies to enable continuous improvement through the application of a GBA Plus lens, ensuring all policies incorporate an evidence-based review framework. This will  support our goal of achieving equity, diversity and inclusion across all programs.

In 2023, we implemented a GBA Plus Roll Out plan to address the actions required to further advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work moving forward.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

3.5 FTEs were dedicated to working on GBA Plus during the 2023–24 fiscal year.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Veterans Affairs continues to advance its GBA Plus initiative by enhancing data collection, analysis, and assessment of program impacts on gender and diversity. Currently, VAC collects and uses several data points that support GBA Plus, such as  sex at birth (Male/Female), age, official language, and geography. We are now working  to expand this list, starting with the voluntary collection of gender identity. This information may be gathered when clients call our Contact Centre, use VAC’s online self-service portal, or visit an area office.

Additionally:

• We are collaborating with the Privacy and Information Management (PIM) team to confirm our legislative authority and to refine the purpose, necessity, and methods of collecting gender identity by reviewing and, if necessary, updating Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and associated Personal Information Banks (PIBs).
   
• We are also working with Statistics Canada to explore linking program data with Census and other survey data (e.g., Canadian Veteran Health Survey, Indigenous Peoples Survey) as part of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan. These data linkages will enable us to analyze  our programs through identity factors that we  currently don not have the authority to collect, allowing us to better understand the needs of gender-diverse, Indigenous, and racialized Veterans.

These efforts enable further analysis of Veteran program participation by 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous, and racialized Veterans as well as by gender identity, allowing us to continually improve service delivery.

As we enhance our data collection efforts, it is important to note the following general considerations regarding how this data is analyzed and presented in the tables below:

• Veteran population estimates are based on the 2021 Census, and figures may not add up due to rounding.
• Exclusion of Survivors ensures a direct comparison with the total Veteran population.
• The 'Unknown' sex category includes cases where a client’s sex data is missing.
• Instances where the performance indicator is 'unknown' (i.e., age of client) but the sex data is known have been excluded from the data, which may cause discrepancies between performance indicator totals and program totals.

As of 1 April 2023, Veterans Affairs Canada has adopted a uniform definition for the term “client”.

A client is defined as any living person who:

1. Is currently receiving payment for a VAC benefit;
2. Is receiving a VAC service; or
3. Has received a short-term VAC benefit within the last 12 months, such as a payment from the Veterans Emergency Fund, Education and Training Benefit and/or Career Transition Services.

The data is populated using the most recent client definition and only includes Veteran clients who actively received VAC benefits or services within the 2023-24 fiscal year.

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Core Responsibility 1: Benefits, Services and Support

Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: The Caregiver Recognition Benefit provides a monthly tax-free payment (indexed annually) to the informal caregivers of a qualified Veterans to recognize the contribution that caregivers make to the health and well-being of seriously injured Veterans.

The Caregiver Recognition Benefit program continues to collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus).

Other data:

Note: CRB clients represent those who are in-pay or suspended for CRB. CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB clients represent those who are in-pay or suspended for CRB. CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB clients represent those who are in-pay or suspended for CRB. CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Note: CRB clients represent those who are in-pay or suspended for CRB. CRB is paid to caregivers, not Veterans, therefore it cannot be compared to the Veteran population.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC is working on improving data collection for this program, while maintaining privacy compliance. VAC currently collects and uses several data points that enable GBA Plus, including sex at birth (male/female), age, official language, and geography, and is exploring the addition of other intersectional identity factors.

The Department continues its work to develop a validated dataset and program dashboard for the CRB program that will allow for timely monitoring and review of program data. Once created, additional intersectional identity factors can be added to the dataset and dashboard as they become available -  allowing for more robust GBA Plus analysis.

Disability Benefits (DB)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: The Disability Benefits Program recognizes the impact of a service-related injury or disease in the form of a tax-free financial compensation. The Disability Benefits Program produces weekly internal reports that include data related to language and biological sex to continue its commitment to gender parity in claims processing and to adjust workloads as required. Currently, there is sufficient data to administer and monitor the program but not to report program impacts through a full GBA+ lens.

Other data:

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2024. This includes Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members as well as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Former and Current Members; Survivors are not included.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2024. This includes Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members as well as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Former and Current Members; Survivors are not included.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2024. This includes Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members as well as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Former and Current Members; Survivors are not included.

Note: DP represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended as of March 31, 2024. This includes Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members as well as Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Former and Current Members; Survivors are not included.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers: 

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized / visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Children or Youth
• Students
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, educational level, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g., marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Disability Benefits processing times for female applicants:

VAC has made progress in improving the turnaround times for disability benefits applications from female Veterans. In September 2021, the Department introduced a dedicated team to process claims from female applicants/Veterans. This team continues to work on systematically addressing barriers and closing the gap in processing times between female and male applicants.

The service standard target for disability benefits decisions is to meet the following timelines for 80 percent of applications:

• 16 weeks for first applications and reassessments (to review whether the condition has worsened), and
• 12 weeks for departmental reviews (to confirm or change an original decision).

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 65% of first application decisions for female Veterans were completed within 16 weeks, an increase  from 54% in 2022-23. This result is comparable to the overall disability benefit (Disability Pension and Pain and Suffering Compensation) population, where  69% of first applications met the service standard in 2023-24. As we continue to increase the overall number of applications processed within this service standard, the number of timely decisions for female Veterans will also proportionately rise.

VAC remains focused on department-wide initiatives to reduce the backlog of disability benefit applications and improve the percentage of applications processed within the service standard. Continued emphasis on reducing processing times and regularly reviewing the turnaround times for both female and male applicants is crucial to achieving gender parity.

Disability Benefits processing times for francophone applicants:

In 2022-23, the Department hired more temporary bilingual and Francophone decision-makers to increase capacity for processing French-language applications and bring processing times closer to parity with English applications. In fiscal year 2023-24, with approximately 30% of decision-makers being either French-speaking or bilingual, VAC made further progress in reducing processing times for French-language applications, achieving parity with English-language first applications. However, it is important to note these results may fluctuate as we continue to address older applications.

VAC has made significant progress toward achieving its disability benefits service standard in 2023-24, meeting the service standard for 73% of French first applications. This marks a substantial  improvement compared to previous years – only  26% of French-language applications met the service standard is 2020-21, and 50% in  2022-23.

Key program impact statistics

*2023–2024

Other key program impacts

A dedicated team has been established to exclusively process Disability Benefit claims from female applicants. This team us  working to systematically address barriers and close the gap in processing times between female and male applicants. Additionally, we are undergoing a multi-year modernization of the two primary tools used in Disability Benefits decision-making: the Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines  (EEG) and the Table of Disabilities (TOD). This review ensures that these tools remain based on up-to-date health related evidence and promote consistent, efficient, and timely decision-making.

A GBA Plus methodology has been specifically developed for this modernization and is being applied to the revision of each EEG and TOD Chapter to ensure these tools account for the diverse health-related experience of Canadian Veterans.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The Department continues to review (within privacy boundaries) the best options for data collection for all programs. This will allow for better future analysis and assessment of program impacts on gender and diversity.

Health Care Benefits

Target Population: Veterans

Program goals: The Health Care Benefits (HCB) Program provides eligible Veterans and other qualified individuals with financial support to access health care benefits (treatment benefits) to meet their identified needs. Treatment benefits include medical, surgical or dental examinations or treatment; surgical or prosthetic devices and aids and their maintenance; home adaptations to accommodate the use of devices or aids; preventive health care; pharmaceuticals; cannabis for medical purposes; mental health benefits; and travel and other expenses incurred to access these benefits. Since 1 April 2022, Veterans applying for certain mental health conditions can receive early access to coverage for mental health related services and benefits, while they await their disability decision.

Currently the HCB Program collects sufficient data to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement. 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. HCB Program Management 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 Plus 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.

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.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers.

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

In 2023-24, the Health Care Programs Directorate continued developing detailed program performance dashboards and reports containing GBA Plus data. These dashboards are expected to be valuable tools,  enabling program management to more easily and efficiently analyze, utilize and report on GBA Plus data, detailed program usage, and trends.

Income Support

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: The Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) is a taxable, monthly benefit that ensures Veterans’ total income will be at least 90 percent of their gross pre-release military salary, while they are participating in the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program.

The Canadian Forces Income Support (CFIS) is a tax-free monthly financial benefit for low-income Canadian Armed Forces Veterans who no longer qualify for the Income Replacement Benefit. The program provides financial support for those who have completed the rehabilitation program but are unable to find a post-military career or job or whose income is too low for them to meet their basic needs. It is also available to the survivors and dependent children of those Veterans.

Income Replacement Benefit and Canadian Forces Income Support programs use existing client demographic data captured at the departmental level for monitoring and reporting purposes, along with supporting the GBA Plus analysis of current recipients.

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, 2024.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2024.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2024.

Note: IRB represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or eligible for IRB as of March 31, 2024.

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, 2024.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2024.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2024.

Note: CFIS represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for CFIS as of March 31, 2024.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers::

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC is currently improving data collection for this program while maintaining privacy compliance. An IRB dataset has been developed and has been validated.

Now that this has been developed, the Department is working on creating a program dashboard that will allow for timely monitoring and review of program data. Once created, additional intersectional identity factors can be added as they become available. This additional data will allow for more robust GBA Plus analysis.

Long term care (LTC)

Target Population: Veterans, Seniors

Program goals: The Long-term Care (LTC) Program supports eligible Veterans who require nursing home type care to meet their needs, by providing financial support to Veterans towards the cost of their accommodation and meals for long term care. It also provides financial support to some establishments for an increased level of services and benefits.

The LTC Program collects sufficient data on application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement. 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. LTC Program Management, 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 long-term care. Additionally, because LTC 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.

Other data:

Note: LTC represents Veteran clients who were alive and in a bed as of March 31, 2024. 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, 2024. 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, 2024. 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, 2024. 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.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

In 2023-24, the Health Care Programs Directorate continued developing detailed program performance dashboards and reports containing GBA Plus data. These dashboards are expected to be valuable tools that will allow program management to more easily and efficiently analyze, utilize and report on GBA Plus data, detailed program usage, and trends.

Research and Innovation

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: There are two Centres of Excellence within the Research and Innovation program: the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans was established to enhance the understanding of Veteran-specific chronic pain and its management. The Atlas Institute focuses on building knowledge networks with researchers across Canada to expand expertise in military and Veteran mental health, suicide prevention and substance use disorders.

VAC provides annual funding to these Centres of Excellence through an arm’s-length contribution agreement. Both submit an annual GBA Plus report on activities specifically targeted to the needs of the diverse Veteran population. Both Centres submit an annual GBA Plus report on activities targeted to the diverse Veteran population They also collect data to monitor and report on program impacts by gender and diversity, in compliance with federal GBA Plus guidelines. This includes submitting an annual GBA Plus report and using a GBA Plus Research Checklist with disaggregated data to identify potential differences due to multiple aspects of identity. The data collection helps identify gaps and set future priorities for GBA Plus implementation within the Centres.

The Research Funding Program aims to enhance the well-being of Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families by supporting Canadian research focused on these populations. This program includes operational funding for the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.

The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund provides grants and contributions to private, public, academic and Indigenous organizations across the country to implement community-based initiatives  that support the well-being of Veterans and their families.

Distribution of Benefits: GBA Plus data is not yet available for this program due to the nature of third-party data via the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. Similarly, the Research Funding Program and the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund do not measure benefits in terms of distribution across specific groups of Veterans. Rather, these programs establish criteria for how funding recipients interact with and represent under-represented communities in their work.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• Men
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC has established five-year Contribution Agreements with the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence (2023-2028) and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (2022-2027). As part of these agreements, research proposals must conform to the SAGER guidelines, ensuring research is designed, conducted, and reported to identify knowledge gaps and ensure equitable representation of under-represented groups, including women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans. The Centres are expanding data collection on chronic pain and mental health. Through research and partnerships, they will continue to identify knowledge gaps related to sex and gender differences in the experiences of chronic pain and mental health, while  developing tools and services to enhance the well-being of under-represented Veterans and their families.

The Research Funding Program requires applicants to describe how the project will meaningfully consider and represent the diversity and intersectionality within the study population, such as age, sex, gender, race, indigeneity, family status, and other life circumstances and vulnerabilities. Funding recipients must adhere to SAGER principles, including how results for various identity characteristics will be reported in research findings.

The Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund requires organizations applying for funding to demonstrate how their proposed projects will support equity seeking groups, align with GBA Plus considerations, and follow SAGER guidelines. Project reporting templates also require organizations to describe how they apply GBA Plus in their initiatives.

Transition Services

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: The Education and Training Benefit (ETB) is a taxable benefit that exists to provide funding to Veterans to help them achieve their education and post-military employment goals, better position themselves to be more competitive in the civilian workforce, and pursue activities that give them a sense of purpose. Veterans who have honourably released from the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve Force), or members of the Supplementary Reserve, who have at least 6 years (2,191 paid days) of service may be eligible to receive up to $40,000 (indexed annually by the Consumer Price Index).Veterans and members of the Supplementary Reserve who have at least 12 years (4,382 paid days) of service may be eligible to receive up to $80,000 (indexed annually by the Consumer Price Index). Eligible clients can access ETB funding up to 10 years from their release/transfer date. ETB funding is paid directly to Veterans, who are then responsible for paying tuition and expense costs to the educational institution when needed. The amount of funding provided to an eligible Veteran depends on the cost and length of the approved program.

ETB uses existing client demographic data captured at the departmental level for monitoring and reporting purposes, along with supporting the GBA Plus analysis of current recipients.

A new contract for Career Transition Services became operational in January 2023 and includes updated language to support all Government of Canada reporting requirements, including those for gender and diversity. Working with the national service provider will also allow VAC to gain valuable knowledge of best practices in private industry around equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Program (RSVP) provides medical, psycho-social, and vocational rehabilitation services to eligible Veterans who experience health problem(s) that result primarily from service in the Canadian Armed Forces and are causing a barrier to life after service. It may also provide vocational assistance services to spouses and survivors. As of November 2022, these services are delivered through one national contractor, Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS).

The Veteran Family Program offers medically-releasing CAF members and their families continued access to the Military Family Resource Centres and to a suite of transition-support programs and services.  Through this program, a Veteran Family Telemedicine Service is being piloted.  This pilot provides Medically released Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families, one year access to virtual care service, ensuring timely access to a primary care provider during the first year of transition.

The Veteran Family Program offers medically-releasing CAF members and their families ongoing access to Military Family Resource Centres, as well as a suite of transition-support services. As part of this program, a Veteran Family Telemedicine Service is being piloted providing medically-released Veterans and their families with one year of access to virtual care services, This pilot ensure timely access to a primary care provider during the first year of transition.

Other data for Career Transition Services (CTS):

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2023–24. The numbers excludes non-veterans such as members, spouses, releasing members, supplementary reservist and survivors.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2023–24. The numbers excludes non-veterans such as members, spouses, releasing members, supplementary reservist and survivors.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2023–24. The numbers excludes non-veterans such as members, spouses, releasing members, supplementary reservist and survivors.

Note: CTS represents the number of Veteran clients who had their application approved in 2023–24. The numbers excludes non-veterans such as members, spouses, releasing members, supplementary reservist and survivors.

Other data for Education and Training Benefit (ETB):

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients with an active ETB plan or have completed an ETB short course in 2023–24.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients with an active ETB plan or have completed an ETB short course in 2023–24.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients with an active ETB plan or have completed an ETB short course in 2023–24.

Note: ETB represents the number of Veteran clients with an active ETB plan or have completed an ETB short course in 2023–24.

Other data for Rehabilitation:

Note: Rehabilitation counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2024.

Note: Rehabilitation counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2024.

Note: Rehabilitation counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2024.

Note: Rehabilitation counts are Veteran clients only as of March 31, 2024.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Children or Youth
• Students
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC is exploring the best methods for increasing data collection for this program while maintaining privacy boundaries. An ETB dashboard has been created to allow users to query ETB data using various factors, including GBA Plus data. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, further improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

A dashboard for CTS data has been in use since 2021-22, enabling users to query CTS data using various factors, including GBA Plus data.

RSVP recently implemented an enhanced Performance Measurement and Reporting Framework, RSVP measures outcomes for every participant, including improvements of overall health and well-being, functional capacity and satisfaction with rehabilitation services. It also captures service delivery and participant cost data. These results will be disaggregated by sub-populations and intersecting identity factors, providing evidence to guide program improvements where equity in service delivery is required. VAC is also addressing the best methods to enhance data collection for this program while respecting privacy regulations. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is rolled out, further improvements in data analysis will follow.

VAC is currently updating the Performance Measurement and Reporting Framework for the Veteran Family Program to provide a more accurate picture of participants and their outcomes. 

Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF)

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

Program goals: The Veterans Emergency Fund (VEF) is a $1M per fiscal year fund that exists to provide tax-free payments to Veterans and their families who are facing a financial emergency that is threatening their health and well-being. VEF is provided to cover essential needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and uninsured essential one-time medical needs. Eligible Veterans and their families can be approved for up to a maximum of $2,500 per fiscal year (or up to $10,000 in exceptional circumstances). VEF applicants will also be referred to other internal and external resources to assist them in the longer-term.

VEF uses existing client demographic data captured at the departmental level for monitoring and reporting purposes, along with supporting the GBA Plus analysis of current recipients.

Other data:

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Children or Youth
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC is currently exploring the best methods for increasing data collection for this program while maintaining privacy boundaries. A VEF dashboard has been created to allow users to query VEF data using various factors, including GBA Plus data. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, further improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Veterans Independence Program (VIP)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) helps eligible Veterans, their primary caregivers, and survivors remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible by providing funding towards the cost of services that support their independence. Services supported include: housekeeping, grounds maintenance, personal care, ambulatory care, access to nutrition, and professional health and support services. When remaining at home is no longer practical, the service can provide support with care in a community facility (nursing home care).

The VIP collects sufficient data on application to determine program eligibility and benefit entitlement. 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 Program Management, 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 VIP services.

Other data:

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2023–24 and were alive as of March 31, 2024.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2023–24 and were alive as of March 31, 2024.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2023–24 and were alive as of March 31, 2024.

Note: VIP counts are Veteran clients only, who had a transaction in 2023–24 and were alive as of March 31, 2024.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. Health Care Programs continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

In 2023-24, the Health Care Programs Directorate continued to develop detailed program performance dashboards and reports incorporating GBA Plus data. The Directorate anticipates the dashboards will be useful tools to enable program management to leverage data currently captured and more easily and efficiently analyze, utilize and report GBA Plus data, detailed program usage, and trends.

War Veterans Allowance (WVA)

Target Population: Veterans, Families

Program goals: War Veterans Allowance is a tax free, monthly financial benefit for low-income Veterans of the Second World War and/or the Korean War and their survivors/orphans. It also provides important access to other VAC programs such as Health Care Benefits (Treatment Benefits), the Veterans Independence Program, the Long-Term Care Program, and the VAC Assistance Fund. The War Veterans Allowance collects sufficient data to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus).

Other data:

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2024.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2024.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2024.

Note: WVA represents the number of Veteran clients who are in-pay or suspended for WVA as of March 31, 2024.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Children or Youth
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

VAC is currently exploring the best methods for increasing data collection for this program while maintaining privacy boundaries. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, further improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

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Core Responsibility 2: Commemoration

Canada Remembers Program

Target Population: Veterans, General Public, Youth

Program goals: Canada Remembers Program initiatives ensure that those who served in Canada’s military efforts are honoured and that the memory of their sacrifices and achievements is preserved. GBA Plus, including gender and other identifying factors (e.g. Indigenous identity), are considered to help inform the development and review of programming.

Distribution of Benefits: Although this program doesn’t deliver benefits in a traditional sense, we do have data available based on surveys conducted with Canadians.

Other data: The purpose of the Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans' Week survey of Canadians is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Department's remembrance programming. The objectives of this research are to measure Canadians' level of participation in remembrance activities, their attitudes toward those who served in Canada's military, and their level of support for VAC's work related to remembrance. The research results allow VAC to continue to determine the impact and effectiveness of its remembrance activities, adapt activities to be relevant to Canadians, improve the methods used to inform Canadians about remembrance initiatives, and help to guide the planning of future remembrance-related programming. Within the survey results, we capture data related to Gender Based Analysis Plus which further helps to determine impact and effectiveness as shown below.

*This data was suppressed due to the sample size and was carried over from 2022-23 as the Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans’ Week Survey of Canadians is conducted every two years.

*This data was suppressed due to the sample size and was carried over from 2022-23 as the Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans’ Week Survey of Canadians is conducted every two years.

*This data was suppressed due to the sample size and was carried over from 2022-23 as the Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans’ Week Survey of Canadians is conducted every two years.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• All Canadians
• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Students
• Children or Youth
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

In 2023-24, the Commemorative Partnership Program recognized and commemorated underrepresented Veterans. A call-out for projects specifically focusing on Indigenous Veterans, racialized Veterans, 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans, and women Veterans  was held resulting in 19 approved projects receiving a total of $357,950 in funding. 

We led a delegation to the Netherlands for the Indigenous Legacy Project in September 2023. We honoured Indigenous soldiers who died in battle with traditional ceremonies and recognized their contributions in the Second World War. The group included families of 13 newly identified Indigenous soldiers, Elders, and representatives from Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones.

In April, International Operation’s International Ceremonies and Events team was instrumental in organizing and delivering the Rainbow Veterans of Canada Commemorative Program to Belgium and France to commemorate the First World War as we marked the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Rainbow Veterans of Canada delegation, which began on April 6 in Belgium, and included representatives from the LGBT Purge and the Rainbow Veterans of Canada organization, was the first of its kind. The delegation participated in several events and visits, drawing attention to First World War stories. 

We supported ministerial and departmental delegations for Canadian injured, ill, and wounded Veterans and still-serving members participating in the Invictus Games 2023 events in Germany.

The Program also applies GBA Plus through:

• Commemorative initiatives that are designed and implemented in a respectful, inclusive manner to honour all those who served our country;
• Delegations for ceremonies and events which include intergenerational representation and diverse cultures;
• Educational resources and public information that reflect diverse cultural and regional backgrounds; and
• Canadians' attitudes and participation with respect to remembrance are gathered using the Attitudes Towards Remembrance and Veterans' Week survey, which allows VAC to continue determining the impact and effectiveness of its commemorative initiatives. Data is weighted to ensure that the gender and age composition generally reflects that of the adult Canadian population, according to census data.

Funeral and Burial Program

Target Population: Veterans

Program goals: Funeral and burial assistance is provided through the Last Post Fund (LPF)– a non-profit organization – to help pay for funeral and burial services, including a military gravestone, for eligible Veterans.

Other data:

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. VAC continually works to identify and address these barriers:

• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan: The Last Post Fund (LPF) delivers VAC's Funeral and Burial Program. To address challenges the LPF had in reporting on GBA Plus in previous years, the Commemoration Division worked with the LPF to ensure reporting on certain GBA Plus criteria for the Funeral and Burial Program. 

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Core Responsibility 3: Veterans Ombudsperson

Veterans Ombudsperson

Target Population: Veterans, Families, Military Personnel

Program goals: The Office of the Veterans Ombud reviews complaints and challenges the policies and decisions of Veterans Affairs Canada where we find individual or systemic unfairness. We strive to be an independent and respected voice for fairness and a champion for the well-being of Veterans and their families.

Distribution of Benefits: Although this program doesn’t deliver benefits in a traditional sense, we do have data available based on surveys conducted with clients.

Specific demographic outcome groups

The following groups may benefit from this program, either directly or indirectly, but may also face barriers to access or participation, or experience negative impacts for various reasons. The OVO continually works to identify and address these barriers

• Veterans
• Women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• Indigenous Peoples
• Black or other racialized/visible minority communities
• Persons with disabilities or health issues or their caregivers
• Seniors
• Children or Youth
• Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or Individuals of particular socio-economic status, and/or particular familial characteristics (e.g. marital status, family status)

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not currently available. VAC is currently undertaking a GBA Plus review of Program Indicators and plans to include key program impact statistics in the 2024-25 Departmental Results Report.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

OVO continues to collaborate with counterparts within VAC to align with VAC’s work on GBA Plus data. We will explore how to leverage existing data collection methods to help the OVO capture meaningful and representative GBA Plus demographic information on our clients.