Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans has the departmental functional responsibility for Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and the shared responsibility to implement the departmental 2020 Gender-Based Analysis Plus Strategy. The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans advances the integration of GBA Plus within the work of the Department in order to progress equitable outcomes for all Veterans, inclusive of those in under-represented sub-populations. This is done by supporting the development and accessibility of tailored training and resources for VAC employees; 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 Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) on the GBA Plus Interdepartmental Committee led by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada.

In March 2021, the Building Gender Inclusive Services project was concluded with the creation of a Roadmap for Change titled Road Towards Inclusion to modernize sex and gender information management practices in the Department in compliance with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) policy direction. The Road Towards Inclusion will continue to be integrated in the Veterans Affairs Canada’s Information and Data Strategy. The Information and Data Strategy is designed to shift VAC culture and ensure data and information is better utilized to improve decision-making for the benefit of Veterans and their families, departmental employees, and Canadians. In addition to the Strategy, for the first time in 2021, the Census contained a Veteran Identifier that will continue to enable the Department to gain valuable information about Canada’s Veteran population. Additionally, the 2020 annual VAC National Client Survey contained gender, Indigenous, and visible minority indicators, which allows VAC to disaggregate and analyze by subpopulation. Collecting new data allows the Department to ensure Veterans and their families have the right care, treatment, and programs and services at the right time. Access to additional data regarding the broader Veteran population builds on the foundational data elements that are currently being used for GBA Plus including, sex, age, language, marital status, geographic location, service type (Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP), client type (survivor, spouse, dependent, Veteran, etc.), homelessness, level of disability (%), whether a client has diminished earnings capacity, military service branch (army, navy, air force), release type (medical, non-medical/voluntary), rank at release, time since release, and length of service allowing for disaggregated data analysis across various sub-groups.

The Department also maintains a data warehouse containing data extracted from various VAC internal systems. These data points are used to make validated program data sets available with self-service dashboards based on program area reporting requirements, inclusive of GBA Plus data elements. This data provides program areas with ready access to information required to better monitor, manage and track program outcomes. This enhanced reporting tool allows more timely and accurate views of intersecting data elements as more data is made available for use.

The Department also uses analytics to understand the sub-groups of Veteran clients, their needs and ways that services and programs can meet those needs. The Department uses a GBA Plus/intersectional data analysis lens to monitor, analyze and report on VAC programs and services, service standards, and inform research. This contributes to enhanced program management, results and evaluation.

Applying GBA Plus is also a standard consideration in the Department’s innovation efforts. VAC uses a human-centred design process, ensuring that consultations include representatives from various gender and diverse populations. Proposed solutions, performance measurement, and monitoring of individual initiatives include consideration of gender and diversity impacts.

GBA Plus analysis is also used in evaluations where evaluators promote the requirement to collect data to support such analysis across all departmental programs.

Efforts to improve diversity and inclusion are aimed at shifting the culture of the organization to focus on equitable outcomes, by understanding the unique needs of under-represented sub-groups such as women, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous, Black and racialized Veterans and Veterans with disabilities, and the necessary use of research and disaggregated data to provide tailored/adaptive programs and services to these Veterans and client groups.

Highlights of GBA Plus Results by Program

Disability Benefits

The 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:

Disability Benefits has access to a validated program dataset and self-service dashboard. The dashboard allows managers to monitor client usage of the program by age and sex. The dataset contains additional indicators such as level of assessed disability and geographic location on which reports can be built for monitoring and analysis. Additionally, Disability Benefits is working to ensure equitable service standard results between men and women currently reflecting biological sex with the possible addition of a gender identifier including a non-binary marker, as well as between French and English-speaking clients. In the future, these comparisons could be expanded to include other identity factors, if additional measures are added within the system to mitigate the risk of unconscious bias and/or unintended discrimination in its program policy design, delivery and/or evaluation. Currently, other factors such as ethnicity are not captured within VAC systems. Additionally, VAC continues to advance its strategy to address the long-standing issue of processing times for Disability Benefits applications, including the enhanced use of a GBA Plus lens on any and all initiatives to ensure that all applicants are treated respectfully and their applications processed equitably.

Health Care Benefits

The program collects basic data to enable it to monitor and/or report certain 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:

VAC is strengthening its GBA Plus analysis for current Health Care Benefits recipients The Department is developing a dashboard for Health Care Benefits that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Information collected through VAC gateway programs which may not be specifically collected for Health Care Benefits may also be leveraged to inform GBA Plus. Additionally, 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 effective program administration. Consultations are taking place with Health Canada, in regards to their GBA Plus initiatives with the aim of sharing best practices. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional data analysis improvements are anticipated.

Transition Services

Transition Services uses existing client demographic data captured at the departmental level for monitoring and reporting purposes, along with supporting the GBA Plus analysis of Veterans who access these supports. Some Transition Services programs also have third party contractors who provide regular reports. Moving forward, new contracts with third parties will highlight the need to support all Government of Canada reporting requirements, including those for gender and diversity (GBA Plus). Working with third parties also allows VAC to gain valuable knowledge of best practices in private industry as they relate to reporting around equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Department is developing dashboards for the various Transition Services subprograms that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional data analysis improvements are anticipated.

Long Term Care

VAC 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 of Long Term Care. The Department is developing a Long Term Care program dashboard that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Information collected through VAC gateway programs which may not specifically be collected for the Long Term Care program may also be leveraged to inform GBA Plus. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Veterans Independence Program

VAC 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. The Department is developing a VIP program dashboard that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. Information collected through VAC gateway programs which may not specifically be collected for the Veterans Independence Program may also be leveraged to inform GBA Plus. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Caregiver Recognition Benefit

Departmental demographic data from the Caregiver Recognition Benefit (CRB) is used to inform and support the GBA Plus analysis of current Caregiver Recognition Benefits recipients. Additionally, the Caregiver Recognition Benefit program performs periodic file reviews to monitor program impacts, and is working to enhance GBA Plus capacity. Specifically, one of the changes consists of updating the CRB application form to increase GBA Plus related data collection. Finally, the Department is developing a program dashboard that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting of program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

War Veterans Allowance

The department 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. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Income Support

The department uses client demographic data for monitoring and reporting purposes, along with supporting the GBA Plus analysis of current Income Support program recipients. The Department is also developing a program dashboard for the Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) that will allow for effective review, monitoring and reporting program impacts using a GBA Plus lens. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Veterans Emergency Fund

VAC 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. The VEF program is working to enhance GBA Plus capacity including plans to implement a guided application form to increase data collection and improve the decision-making process. A program dashboard was introduced in 2021-22 that has improved the ability to review program data using a GBA Plus lens. As VAC’s Information and Data Strategy is implemented, additional improvements in data analysis will be incorporated.

Research and Innovation Program

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

Canada Remembers Program

This program 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:

The Canada Remembers Program intends to complete an evaluation to assess the extent to which the Program is meeting the needs of Veterans and Canadians, and the extent to which the Program is achieving its outcomes in an effective and efficient manner. The Canada Remembers Program aims to be inclusive in the materials it publishes and is cognizant of the need to represent the diverse experiences of the Veteran population, and works to create materials that demonstrate gender balance as well as diverse cultural, ethnic and regional backgrounds when developing learning resources and overseas visitor centre exhibits. Veterans Affairs Canada will continue to apply GBA Plus when consulting with Canadians and Veterans to understand how their perspectives and preferences may align with numerous identity factors.

Funeral and Burial Program

VAC’s Funeral and Burial Program works with a third-party provider to ensure eligible Veterans receive a dignified funeral and burial. Currently, in order to administer the program, the third-party provider collects data on the date of birth of the client, date of death, sex, marital status, finances/income (assets and liabilities at time of death for Veteran and spouse, if applicable), military service information, health, family structure (whether there is a spouse and/or dependents), and Indigenous name of Veteran (if applicable). This information is used to determine eligibility and for administration of the program. The Funeral and Burial Program also monitors 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 Plus data, this information will be used to better inform program results.

Veterans Ombudsperson

The program collects sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA Plus). The OVO works independently at arms-length from VAC to identify gaps in services and programs delivered by VAC or on VAC’s behalf to Veterans and their families.

The OVO advocates for fairness for Canada’s diverse Veteran population, including Women, Francophones, and Indigenous Veterans, as well as Reservists and other groups by identifying gaps in VAC programs, services and decision-making. The OVO is expanding its data collection and to better analyze and report on GBA Plus data. The OVO will capture: gender identity, indigenous, other racialized Veterans, service category, (still serving, Veteran, RCMP, etc.), relationship to the Veteran (family member, representative, etc.), age and geographical location.

The OVO has updated its systems to better align with gender inclusivity; offering clients the option to voluntarily self-identify their gender (instead of sex) as well as including options to identify “other gender” or “prefer not to say”. Finally, the OVO client satisfaction survey will be amended to include questions to capture additional identity factors to better identify gaps in OVO services and how effectively the OVO reaches Veterans and their families who may be members of GBA Plus groups.

Internal Services

Internal Services 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:

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of Programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Within Internal Services, many areas are working to enhance their GBA Plus capacity in order to strive for service excellence in the delivery of VAC’s mission.
The Communications Division considers GBA Plus in its data collection, access and use by using a GBA Plus lens in developing products and services, and promotes an inclusive approach in outreach activities. They continue to seek ways to improve future monitoring and/or reporting techniques. Gender-inclusive recommendations are included in VAC’s internal Style Guide and plain language training is offered to all employees, underscoring the importance of a Veteran-centric, intersectional approach in all our communications.
The Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch (CFOCS) is a key provider of Internal Services to the Department and is working to enhance GBA Plus within its work. CFOCS has access to various data holdings that enable it to monitor results of workplace programs. Also, CFOCS supports Gender Budgeting Act principles ensuring gender and diversity considerations are taken into account in budget development and resource allocation decisions in order to promote principles of gender equality and greater inclusiveness in society. Diversity and Inclusion initiatives are underway to further diversify the workforce and ensure an inclusive workplace. As VAC evolves its business practices and internal services, GBA Plus is being applied to the design, testing, and validation to make sure solutions are found that fit the wide-ranging employee population, as well as the Veteran population, and promote equity for all.
GBA Plus will continue to be applied to the development and implementation of new and existing applications and the data they collect and use. Additionally, GBA Plus considerations will be accounted for as VAC pursues updates to existing data processing systems, client forms, and client letters to ensure maintenance of data collection and management approaches that align with GBA Plus principles. To aid this, CFOCS continues to work with all program areas to support the Department’s ability to collect, use, and store GBA Plus data, as well as the development of relationships with other Departments to help fill data gaps. This will support program management and delivery by ensuring GBA Plus information and data needs are met.

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