PACP Committee Report

Chapter 1 of the Spring 2009 Report of the Auditor General of Canada- Gender Based Analysis

SUPPLEMENTARY OPINION

Presented by the members of the Committee representing the Conservative Party of Canada

CPC Members want to highlight that Canada is, and will continue to be, a leader in Gender Based Analysis (GBA).  In recognition of the critical importance of implementing GBA, the Conservative Party of Canada introduced a series of measures that would facilitate the full participation of women in the economic, social, and democratic life of Canada. Upon election in 2006, the Conservative Party sought to fill a void left by the previous Government, and thereby began a process for ensuring that gender based analysis was conducted in all departments and agencies. Since 2006, our Government has been a leader in improving the systems and programs that uphold standards of accountability with regard to gender based analysis.

In 2006, the former Minister of State for the Status of Women, the Honourable Bev Oda, responded to a report tabled by the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, entitled “Gender Based Analysis: Building Blocks for Success.” In that response, the Government highlighted that, on the premise that gender based analysis and gender equality depends on mechanisms of sustainability and accountability, central agencies (TBS, PCO, and Finance) would for the first time appoint senior officials who would act as champions of GBA. In clarifying the responsibilities of those central agencies, the Government reinforced its goal to promote horizontal policy-making that had evidence of gender-specific research. Through the provision of GBA training, and with oversight of the appropriate use of GBA, TBS and PCO officials were able to strengthen the extent and quality of gender considerations in policy development. While the integration of GBA remained under the purview of individual departments, SWC continually supported the practice through the development of various strategic frameworks.

Furthermore, through Finance Canada, the Government conducted GBA on the fiscal measures proposed in Budget 2006, setting in motion a standard that would require all subsequent Budget proposals to include GBA.  In the following year, the Government took further steps to address the gender impacts of policy proposals and spending initiatives. The 2007 Guide to Preparing Treasury Board Submissions made it compulsory for all departments and agencies to include evidence of GBA in their reports. This requirement was expanded to include all memoranda to Cabinet; as of 2008, those submissions would undergo assessment to ensure gender impacts were considered and reported.

As of late 2009, the results of SWC and the Government’s accomplishments in the area of GBA were quantifiable. Aside from the greater interest among federal institutions to have SWC’s assistance in GBA training, the number of GBA analysts in central agencies substantially increased, and the TBS and PCO had developed their own methods of GBA. Through SWC’s continued emphasis on the application of GBA, departments and agencies had become proactive in the application of not only gender-specific, but also culturally-relevant forms of analysis. According to the 2008-2009 Department Performance Report, collaborative efforts focused on GBA had set a new precedent for improved policy positions that would strengthen women’s participation.

Most recently, SWC has released a Government Action Plan on Gender-Based Analysis. Counter to claims that evidence of GBA in departmental agencies is entirely absent from government documentation, there exists verifiable evidence of GBA.  In response to a report issued by the Auditor General, TBS, PCO and SWC are prepared to implement a plan of action that is concomitant to the call for and necessity of GBA in government policy-making. As such, the partnership between TBS, PCO, and SWC will allow for continued guidance to departments to discuss where GBA needs to be conducted as well as consultations with departments to discuss GBA challenges. In addition, periodic reviews of MCs and TB submissions will be performed at the end of parliamentary sessions to gauge the effectiveness of GBA in the development of policies according to the Performance Measurement Template. Finally, SWC will provide technical support to help departments complete GBA frameworks using the Organizational Assessment Tool, and will release annual reports on department achievements in the implementation of GBA. In conclusion, our Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the women of Canada reach their full potential. By emphasizing GBA as a vital methodology to highlight the differential impact of policies on men and women, the Conservative Party of Canada stands strong in its dedication to establishing gender equality.