Language selection

Search

Content page

From [Institution name]

Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional gender-based analysis plus governance and capacity

Governance

The Agency’s core responsibility is to support Atlantic Canada’s economic growth, wealth creation and economic prosperity through inclusive and clean growth. The Agency integrated gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) into its activities as part of its implementation strategy. To ensure accountability, the Agency used 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 were delivered with an inclusive lens to support groups that are under-represented in Atlantic Canada’s economy and among its entrepreneurs. The Agency also advocated 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 a few examples of work to advance ACOA’s GBA Plus capacity:

Targeted temporary programs

Recovery from COVID-19 proved unequal for certain regions, groups and industries. In addition, there were significant events affecting residents in rural and coastal areas such as Hurricane Fiona and trade restrictions affecting the potato sector in Prince Edward Island. In response to these challenges, regional development agencies, including ACOA, designed and delivered initiatives such as the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF), the Prince Edward Island Potato Stabilization Innovation Initiative (PSII), the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI).

Diversity and inclusion in ACOA’s workforce

The Agency focused on a response to the Clerk’s call to action with the work of its Office of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, including implementing Year 1 of the Agency’s 2-year Employment Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EEIAR) Plan. The Agency also developed its next iteration of the EEIAR Plan and created a new sponsor position at the executive level for Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, as well as established employee-led networks/communities for various equity-seeking employees, who now participate in the Agency’s EEIAR Advisory Committee. The Agency also implemented a Valuing Diversity and Inclusion competency for management positions. The Agency’s Diversity, Inclusion, Competency Excellence (DICE) full-day dialogue sessions were delivered to most executives and employees at the Agency, and DICE content and Train-the-Trainer sessions were provided to other federal and provincial departments, universities, colleges and private-sector organizations. ACOA also led the Selection Board + initiative in partnership with the Atlantic Federal Council to support having better access to representative hiring board members in the region (e.g., representative of equity-seeking groups).

Administrative data systems update

In 2022-23, ACOA continued to update its internal systems to capture microdata on GBA Plus elements throughout the project life cycle to facilitate monitoring and reporting. This enabled ACOA to carry out analyses on its programs using new and existing administrative data. This helps the Agency take stock of the GBA Plus elements of its programs, look at trends and provide insight into areas that may be improved upon to strengthen inclusivity.

Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: 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 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
 
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

 
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities
1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 200 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 251 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$20.5 million

ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

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

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

Supplementary information sources

ACOA Business Growth and Trade and Investment Programming Evaluation Report 2020

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: Diversified Communities

Program goals:

Economic development in rural areas continues to be a challenge considering the declining traditional industries, population shifts and infrastructure issues. These issues emphasize the need to support initiatives that increase 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

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
 
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

 
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities
1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 116 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 143 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$13.9 million

ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: 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 of people and 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, 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

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
 
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

 
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities
1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 23 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 33 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$6.6 million

ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: Innovation Ecosystems

Program goals:

In 2021-22, 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.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian SMEs, communities and organizations

Distribution of benefits

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
 
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities
1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 15 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 21 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$4.9 million

ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

An evaluation of innovation programming found that ACOA has taken positive steps toward strengthening inclusive growth. It found that the Agency made some efforts 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:

Key informants also indicated that ACOA’s 28 points of service across the region position the Agency to meet the unique needs of rural businesses.

Supplementary information sources

ACOA Innovation Programming Evaluation Report 2020

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: 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 the ACOA and ministerial decision making.

Target population: Atlantic Canadian research organizations

Distribution of benefits

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men     X     Women
By income level Low     X     High
 
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities
1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 2 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 2 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$159,000

ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

This program, delivered through the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative (APRI), is the primary funding instrument through which ACOA supports policy research. It 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.

Supplementary information sources

The following are examples of publications relevant to GBA Plus that are supported by the Policy Research and Engagement Program through APRI:

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: 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 is 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

 
    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities 1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 10 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 11 ACOA internal data 2022-23 data

*2022-23 or most recent

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Core responsibility: Economic Development in Atlantic Canada

Program name: Trade and Investment

Program goals:

ACOA pursues trade and investment opportunities with a view to increase the number of exporters and the volume of export sales, attract foreign direct investment and support 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 includes 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

    First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group  
By gender Men X         Women
By income level Low     X     High
    First group Second group Third group  
By age group Youth   X   Senior

For more information on the scales used in the above tables, see the “Scales” section.

Key program impacts* on gender and diversity

Key program impact statistics

Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. 16.7% women
0.4% Indigenous
9% youth
2.9% visible minorities 1.2% persons with disabilities
Statistics Canada Latest available data from 2020
Number of clients supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 180 ACOA internal data 2021-22 data
Number of projects supported that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. 184 ACOA internal data 2021-22 data
Dollar value of ACOA expenditures that are tagged to an under-represented group such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities.

$15.6 million

ACOA internal data 2021-22 data

*2022-23 or most recent

Other key program impacts

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

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

Supplementary information sources

ACOA Business Growth and Trade and Investment Programming Evaluation Report 2020

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2021-22, 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.

Scales

Gender scale

Income-level scale

Age-group scale