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Gender-based Analysis Plus

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) core responsibility is to support Atlantic Canada’s economic growth, wealth creation and economic prosperity through inclusive and clean growth. The Agency integrates gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) into its activities as part of its implementation strategy. To ensure accountability, the Agency uses a GBA Plus responsibility centre and working groups led by an executive-level GBA Plus Champion to support and monitor the implementation of GBA Plus throughout the Agency and liaise with the broader Government of Canada GBA Plus network.

All ACOA programs are delivered with an inclusive lens to support groups that are under-represented in Atlantic Canada’s economy and among its entrepreneurs. The Agency also advocates for regional interests in national initiatives, as well as consideration for urban, rural and remote areas. This is supported by enhanced data collection and analysis that includes groups under-represented in the economy.

Capacity

Below are examples of work to advance ACOA’s GBA Plus capacity.

Inclusive program delivery

Through its programs, ACOA spent a total of $396.8 million on 2,470 projects in 2023-24, helping to maintain or create an estimated 7,400 jobs in Atlantic Canada, a highly rural region of Canada that does not always have the same access to federal programming as larger population centres.

These ACOA investments reflect the Government of Canada’s commitment to grow a more inclusive economy and a stronger future for all Canadians during this time of economic recovery from the pandemic. Across the Agency’s suite of programs and initiatives, ACOA spent $62.9 million on 520 projects that supported GBA Plus objectives or entrepreneurs from under-represented groups. This included support for ACOA clients from the following groups: $24.4 million for women; $18.9 million for Indigenous peoples; $13.8 million for official language minority community members; $4.3 million for Black, racialized and visible minorities; $3.5 million for persons with disabilities; $3.4 million for recent immigrants; and $3.8 million for youth. In addition to these groups, the Agency recognizes that a person’s place of residence may be a limiter to accessing government support. In response to this reality, ACOA delivered a significant portion of its support to rural communities, representing $179.5 million in spending on more than 1,261 projects.

Targeted support included the Tourism Growth Program, a new national initiative in Atlantic Canada, providing 13 projects with $703,600 in funding to develop local tourism products and experiences that position Atlantic Canada as an all-season destination of choice for domestic and international travellers, often a valuable source of employment and economic momentum in rural regions; continued delivery of the Black Entrepreneurship Program’s National Ecosystem Fund ($2.6 million for two projects) to help a group under-represented in entrepreneurship; the Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund ($11.4 million in expenditures for 21 projects) to assist affected communities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural and economically vulnerable areas; and the Canadian Experiences Fund ($243,117 in expenditures for two projects) to promote inclusiveness in tourism, especially for rural and remote communities, Indigenous peoples and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In 2023-24, the Agency also sunset many targeted economic relief and recovery initiatives for sectors and regions heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had disproportionate consequences for vulnerable groups, including women and under-represented groups found in higher numbers in certain vulnerable industries such as tourism.

Diversity and inclusion in ACOA’s workforce

In 2023-24, the Agency pursued many initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in its workforce:

• It responded to the Forward Direction of the Call to Action through the work of the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EIAR) by implementing the first year of the Agency’s 2023-2026 EIAR Action Plan, which contains recruitment, retention and career development objectives for equity-seeking groups.
• It implemented the modernization of the Official Languages Act and ensured compliance with new official language regulations. The Agency centralized the governance and coordination of language training to strategically align with legislated requirements and better meet the needs of employees among equity-seeking groups so they might have access to language training earlier in their careers.
• ACOA continued to respond to the government-wide strategy “Nothing without us” by implementing the Agency’s triennial Accessibility Plan to create a barrier-free and inclusive workplace.
• Additionally, as an official passport adopter organization, the Agency strongly supported the implementation of the Accessibility Passport by promoting this initiative during the National AccessAbility Week and ensuring that management is fully aware of their duty-to-accommodate obligations.
• The Agency continued to focus on recognizing, recruiting, developing and retaining diverse talent at all levels by endorsing the Talent Management Program, Building and Supporting Leaders, which promotes inclusive leadership development for leaders at all levels and focuses on the needs of equity-seeking employees by developing and promoting leadership learning maps and implementing new learning and career management systems that will enhance support for purposeful leadership development and talent management.

Administrative data systems update

In 2023-24, ACOA continued to update its internal systems to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements throughout the project life cycle in order to facilitate monitoring and reporting. This enabled ACOA to carry out analyses on its programs using new and existing administrative data. Moreover, the Agency worked in close collaboration with other federal departments, notably other regional development agencies (RDAs), to help better align the collection, analysis and use of diversity data, including similar definitions, shared reporting templates, common program indicators and shared activities, to enhance the accuracy and standardization of data gathered. This helped the Agency take stock of the GBA Plus elements of its programs, look at trends and provide insight into areas that could be improved upon to strengthen inclusivity.

GBA Plus analysis in ACOA program evaluations

ACOA incorporated GBA Plus in all program evaluations, including questions on how the design and delivery of programs contributed to inclusive growth for two evaluations in 2023-24. For example, the national evaluation for the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) Program, encompassing all RDAs, found that REGI aligned to equity, diversity and inclusiveness (EDI) priorities and principles, and encouraged the participation of under-represented groups in the program. Targeted program initiatives are directed to under-represented groups by all RDAs, and harmonized categories and definitions of under-represented groups are used. Survey results indicated that REGI clients were inclusive of various under-represented groups. Approximately half of clients surveyed noted their company or organization was majority-led by a person (or persons) who identified as belonging to one (or more) under-represented group.

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

There is one full-time equivalent dedicated to GBA Plus at ACOA, representing multiple employees working on GBA Plus issues part-time with workload fluctuating based on demand. This complement includes a GBA Plus Champion (director level), a senior advisor to ACOA’s Office of EIAR, a GBA Plus focal point and an Agency-wide working group.

Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program 1: Business Growth

Program goals: ACOA invests in business growth to enhance Atlantic Canadians’ access to the information and financing they need to grow a business. This enables businesses to become more innovative and productive, and allows them to grow, which generates wealth and jobs. This supports enterprises and business associations as well as activities aimed at improving the business environment in Atlantic Canada, including underserved groups.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes, by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: A national evaluation of REGI, delivered by ACOA and the other RDAs, found that it aligns to EDI priorities and principles and that participation of under-represented groups is encouraged. ACOA and other RDAs have strengthened capacity to collect, analyze, manage, monitor and report on gender and demographics-related disaggregated data in relation to program applicants and recipients, and the inclusiveness section of intake forms has been developed commonly across RDAs.

An evaluation of the business growth and trade programming at ACOA found that the Agency has taken positive steps toward strengthening inclusive growth:

• During the period of the evaluation, ACOA invested $38.2 million in 172 Indigenous economic development projects, 110 since the Investing in Regional Innovation and Development framework target was established in 2017.
• It delivered targeted programs for women, most notably the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the Women in Business Initiative.
• The Agency’s participation in the Atlantic Immigration Program is an important step forward on immigration and finding international workers who can help meet the needs of SMEs.
• ACOA offered targeted support for young business owners, primarily through a $7.3 million investment in the Youth Entrepreneur Development Initiative.

An evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programming found that there is an ongoing need for dedicated programming focused on supporting the growth of small rural communities, which make up a large percentage of Atlantic Canada’s population. Rural communities are home to a wide range of economic growth industries, including agriculture, mining and tourism. Agency programming offers unique place-based, flexible programming that responds to the specific needs of Atlantic Canadian communities, including responding to emerging opportunities and barriers. It has also proven to be an effective vehicle through which to rapidly flow relief and recovery funding critical to the survival of Atlantic Canadian businesses.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation – National Evaluation – Canada.ca

ACOA Business Growth and Trade and Investment Programming Evaluation Report 2020

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insight into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 2: Diversified Communities

Program goals: Economic development in rural areas continues to be a challenge considering the decline in traditional industries, population shifts and infrastructure issues. These issues emphasize the need to support initiatives that increase the competitiveness of Atlantic Canada’s rural communities and businesses. This program is well aligned with the ACOA Act, and the types of activities mandated under the act, which include support for enterprises and for business associations and other activities related to improving the business environment, including underserved groups.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes, by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: An evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programming found that there continues to be a need for dedicated programming focused on supporting the growth of small rural communities, which make up a large percentage of Atlantic Canada’s population. Rural communities are home to a wide range of economic growth industries, including agriculture, mining and tourism. Agency programming offers unique place-based, flexible programming that responds to the specific needs of Atlantic Canadian communities, including responding to emerging opportunities and barriers. It has also proven to be an effective vehicle through which to rapidly flow relief and recovery funding critical to the survival of Atlantic Canadian businesses.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

ACOA Economic Development Programming Evaluation 2023 – Canada.ca

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insights into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 3: Inclusive Communities

Program goals: For an economically diversified Atlantic Canada, communities must have the capacity and resources to be more inclusive; and for sustainable growth, entrepreneurs must be equipped to be competitive on the global market. Geographic communities and communities of interest, such as industry associations and non-profit organizations, need to invest in initiatives that stimulate economic growth. The Agency works with these communities through strategic investments to increase human capacity, and with organizations to increase and sustain growth and well-being. This program is well aligned with the ACOA Act and the types of activities mandated under the act, which include support for enterprises and for business associations, and other activities related to improving the business environment, including underserved groups.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes, by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: An evaluation of ACOA’s Economic Development Programming found that there continues to be a need for dedicated programming focused on supporting the growth of small rural communities, which make up a large percentage of Atlantic Canada’s population. Rural communities are home to a wide range of economic growth industries, including agriculture, mining and tourism. Agency programming offers unique place-based, flexible programming that responds to the specific needs of Atlantic Canadian communities, including responding to emerging opportunities and barriers. It has also proven to be an effective vehicle through which to rapidly flow relief and recovery funding critical to the survival of Atlantic Canadian businesses.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

ACOA Economic Development Programming Evaluation 2023 – Canada.ca

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insight into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 4: Innovation Ecosystems

Program goals: ACOA develops and facilitates strategic networks, partnerships and initiatives to develop an innovation ecosystem. ACOA aims to increase awareness, knowledge, influence and capacity to innovate in new and traditional sectors, pursue new opportunities and solve challenges. This program helps build the ecosystem by supporting competitive clusters and business incubators and accelerators, and by funding innovation infrastructure. It helps communities of interest such as business associations and development organizations to promote innovation and mitigate risks, including in rural areas.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: A national evaluation of REGI, delivered by ACOA and the other RDAs, found that REGI aligns to EDI priorities and principles and that participation of under-represented groups is encouraged. ACOA and other RDAs have strengthened capacity to collect, analyze, manage, monitor and report on gender and demographics-related disaggregated data in relation to program applicants and recipients, and the inclusiveness section of intake forms has been developed commonly across RDAs.

An evaluation of innovation programming found that ACOA has taken positive steps toward strengthening inclusive growth. It found that the Agency made some effort toward inclusive growth through funding and collaborations (e.g., immigrants, Indigenous people and women). However, there is growing internal recognition of the need to better support under-represented groups to facilitate economic growth, address skills and labour gaps, and better align with government priorities. Other key findings include the following:

• Between 2010 and 2015, female ACOA clients not only registered higher average growth rates than male ACOA clients in several employment and financial indicators but also outperformed female-owned businesses from the comparable group in most areas. Case studies indicated that there has been increased focus on supports to women in technology, computer science and entrepreneurship.
• ACOA’s involvement in the Atlantic Immigration Program (2017-2020), a key initiative under the Atlantic Growth Strategy, helped address labour and skills needs and ensure long-term economic growth in the region by attracting and retaining skilled immigrants.

Key informants also indicated that ACOA’s 29 points of service across the region position the Agency to meet the unique needs of rural businesses.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation – National Evaluation – Canada.ca

ACOA Innovation Programming Evaluation Report 2020

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insight into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 5: Policy Research and Engagement

Program goals: The Policy, Research and Engagement (PRE) program is central to identifying and effectively responding to opportunities and challenges facing the regional economy. PRE provides intelligence, analysis and well-grounded advice on a broad range of issues and topics, and it informs and supports ACOA and ministerial decision-making.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian research organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: ACOA’s PRE program provides intelligence, analysis and advice on a broad range of issues and topics for the Agency, with a focus on Atlantic Canada. This program, delivered mostly through the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative (APRI), is the primary funding instrument through which ACOA supports policy research by Atlantic Canadian research organizations.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: This program generates and disseminates knowledge that enhances policy information, including gender-based and diversity considerations, taking into account regional economic opportunities and challenges. These activities support and influence the policy research priorities that affect the Atlantic region, particularly those directly related to economic development, including when it affects under-represented groups. They also help establish and promote networks among stakeholders.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources: The following are examples of publications relevant to GBA Plus that were supported by the PRE program, mostly through APRI:

• Diversity Review – Inclusion in Atlantic Canada – Atlantic Economic Council, 2024. https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/page/DRInclusionAtlCanMay2024
• Key Research Priorities for Atlantic Canada’s Economy: Looking Ahead and Finding Talent Series – Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, 2020-2022. https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/page/LookingAheadLandingPage; https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/page/FindingTalentLandingPage
• Employer Attitudes Toward Hiring Newcomers and International Students in the Atlantic Provinces – The Harris Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2021. https://www.library.mun.ca/
• GEM Atlantic Canada Report 2019, The Centre for Innovation Studies, 2020. http://thecis.ca/wpdm-package/gem-atlantic-canada-report-2019/
• Immigration & Atlantic Revitalization – Public Policy Forum, 2020.
• https://ppforum.ca/project/immigration-atlantic-revitalization/
• Linking Indigenous communities with regional development, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2020.
• https://www.oecd.org/regional/indigenous-communities.htm

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insights into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 6: Research and Development, and Commercialization

Program goals: ACOA plays an important role in ensuring that Atlantic Canada continues to maximize benefits from national research and development (R&D) programs and builds on the momentum of rising business expenditures in R&D in the region. R&D and commercialization are fundamental to increasing the region’s competitiveness and to closing the productivity gap with the rest of the country. This is well aligned with the ACOA Act and its activities, including support for enterprises and other activities aimed at improving the business environment, including underserved groups.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes, by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: A national evaluation of REGI, delivered by ACOA and the other RDAs, found that REGI aligns to EDI priorities and principles and that participation of under-represented groups is encouraged. ACOA and other RDAs have strengthened capacity to collect, analyze, manage, monitor and report on gender and demographics-related disaggregated data in relation to program applicants and recipients, and the inclusiveness section of intake forms has been developed commonly across RDAs.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation - National Evaluation - Canada.ca

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insights into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Program 7: Trade and Investment

Program goals: ACOA pursues trade and investment opportunities with a view to increasing the number of exporters and the volume of export sales, attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the commercialization of technology. ACOA also strives to build a foundation for long-term growth through global competitiveness thanks to its tourism work, primarily through the commercial and non-commercial elements of the Business Development Program. As an economic sector, tourism offers significant wealth and job creation opportunities for SMEs. This program is well aligned with the ACOA Act and the types of activities mandated under the act, which include support for enterprises and for business associations as well as other activities related to improving the business environment, including underserved groups.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

Specific demographic group outcomes: This program directly benefits Atlantic Canadians, notably SMEs, non-profit organizations and communities of all sizes, by supporting economic competitiveness and growth. It may disproportionately benefit men, as gender imbalances exist in SME ownership across various sectors (68.9% men). This measure would indirectly benefit all Atlantic Canadians and workers through support for the regional economy and job markets.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity: A national evaluation of REGI, delivered by ACOA and the other RDAs, found that REGI aligns to EDI priorities and principles and that participation of under-represented groups is encouraged. ACOA and other RDAs have strengthened capacity to collect, analyze, manage, monitor and report on gender and demographics-related disaggregated data in relation to program applicants and recipients, and the inclusiveness section of intake forms has been developed commonly across RDAs.

An evaluation of the business growth and trade and investment programming at ACOA found that the Agency has taken positive steps toward strengthening inclusive growth:

• During the period of the evaluation, ACOA invested $38.2 million in 172 Indigenous economic development projects, 110 since the Investing in Regional Innovation and Development framework target was established in 2017.
• It delivered targeted programs for women, most notably the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the Women in Business Initiative.
• The Agency’s participation in the Atlantic Immigration Program is an important step forward in immigration and in finding international workers who can help meet the needs of SMEs.

ACOA offered targeted support for young business owners, primarily through a $7.3 million investment in the Youth Entrepreneur Development Initiative.

Key program impact statistics

Supplementary information sources

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation – National Evaluation – Canada.ca

ACOA Business Growth and Trade and Investment Programming Evaluation Report 2020 – Canada.ca

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023-24, ACOA continued to enhance its internal administrative data collection system to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements to facilitate monitoring, analysis and reporting. The Agency also purchased custom data analyses from Statistics Canada to gain insights into client performance and the Atlantic Canadian economy with disaggregated data, where available. These additional data were further analyzed to help strengthen analysis and decision-making within the Agency. Efforts also continued to align GBA Plus data collection with other RDAs.

Definitions

Scales

Gender scale

• First group: predominantly men (80% or more)
• Second group: 60% to 79% men
• Third group: broadly gender-balanced
• Fourth group: 60% to 79% women
• Fifth group: predominantly women (80% or more) 

Income-level scale

• First group: strongly benefits low-income individuals (strongly progressive)
• Second group: somewhat benefits low-income individuals (somewhat progressive)
• Third group: no significant distributional impacts
• Fourth group: somewhat benefits high-income individuals (somewhat regressive)
• Fifth group: strongly benefits high-income individuals (strongly regressive) 

Age-group scale

• First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations
• Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youth and seniors
• Third group: primarily benefits seniors or the baby-boom generation