2021–22 Departmental Plan - Gender-based analysis plus

The Department's efforts to pursue free trade agreements (FTAs) and to advocate for science-based trade rules support the Gender Results Framework through the Economic Participation and Prosperity pillar. To this end, AAFC works closely with Global Affairs Canada and other departments on Canada's trade diversification strategy, which seeks to ensure that more Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade. This includes Canadians who have traditionally been underrepresented in international trade, such as women, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and Indigenous Peoples.

The Department's approach to FTAs expands Canadian agri-food exporters' access to key markets, while increasing economic opportunities and labour market openings for more Canadians, including underrepresented groups (e.g.: women, SMEs, and Indigenous Peoples). This is achieved through a committed effort to engage all Canadians in trade policy formulation and in the elaboration of Canada's negotiating agenda and strategies. This includes formal consultation and regular dialogue before and during negotiations to inform Canada's trade policy positions; providing greater transparency and clear communication of the benefits of trade; and, enhancing the linkage between trade and domestic socio-economic policy objectives that supports job creation and economic growth that benefits everyone.

The Department supports the expansion of benefits and opportunities created by international trade to a broader cross-section of Canadians through inclusive trade provisions in trade agreements, such as those related to labour, gender, and transparency. In addition, the Department  is committed to cooperation and information sharing among FTA partners to improve capacity and conditions allowing underrepresented groups to access and benefit from opportunities created by a FTA. Lastly, the Department supports engagement with international partners to promote and advance trade initiatives aimed at collaborative efforts to remove trade barriers for women's participation in trade.

The Trade and Market Expansion program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. Impacts of Canada's trade policy agenda are economy-wide. However, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, a thorough GBA+ assessment is done after the launch of FTA negotiations, during the course of negotiations, and during the implementation of each FTA. A summary of the findings of the analysis is published by Global Affairs Canada. This analysis looks at the FTA's impact through statistical data and social-economic factors to assess the  short and long-term impacts on gender and underrepresented groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector. These factors are taken into consideration throughout the entire negotiations process.

AgriMarketing

The AgriMarketing Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The AgriMarketing Program application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

The AgriMarketing Program aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities by supporting national associations' industry-led promotional activities that highlight Canadian products and producers. The Program is reviewing options on how GBA+ can be incorporated in future iterations.

The Sector Engagement and Development program does have impacts that support two pillars of the Gender Results Framework: Economic Participation and Prosperity; and Leadership and Democratic Participation.

As part of the revitalization of AAFC's Sector Engagement Tables (formerly Value Chain Roundtables), the Department is ensuring improved inclusion of underrepresented voices, including youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples. This entails ensuring greater representation of marginalized groups across table memberships as well as the establishment of a mechanism by which the department can work specifically with groups such as women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples. Membership will aim for balanced representation, such as industry leadership, primary producers, entrepreneurs, etc., to provide insight on barriers and opportunities facing the sector as a whole, including those specific to women and other intersectional identifying factors, such as age, and race.

AAFC has established the first Canadian Agricultural Youth Council to ensure the perspective of youth in agriculture is well-understood and directly informs policy, programs, planning and decision-making for the sector. Its membership includes a diverse mix of individuals from subsectors across the sector, as well as from every province and the North.

For mechanisms in support of women and Indigenous Peoples, work continues to develop approaches to, ultimately, increase representation and participation of these groups across the sector by cultivating networking and information-sharing opportunities and informing AAFC and other relevant government policies and programs to help unlock the full economic potential of the sector.

The overall Sector Engagement and Development program does not collect sufficient data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

AgriCompetitiveness

The AgriCompetitiveness Program has impacts that support the pillar of Economic Participation and Prosperity of the Gender Results Framework.

The AgriCompetitiveness Program collects GBA+ data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

The AgriCompetitiveness Program is available to associations; however, the Program supports increased engagement with groups that provide training/curricula to youth and women to strengthen their capacity to be leaders in the sector.

AgriDiversity

The AgriDiversity Program has impacts that support the pillar of Economic Participation and Prosperity of the Gender Results Framework.

The AgriDiversity Program collects data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

The AgriDiversity Program aims to address some of the key issues facing underrepresented groups in Canadian agriculture by providing matching contributions to associations to support activities that help Canada's agriculture sector to better leverage the potential offered by youth, women, Indigenous groups and persons with disabilities. The Program has the ability to offer a higher cost-share ratio for under-represented groups, and has for some of the projects with Indigenous groups, youth and women.

Youth Employment and Skills Program

The Youth Employment and Skills Program has impacts that support the pillar of Education and Skills Development of the Gender Results Framework.

The Youth Employment and Skills Program collects data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. In addition, employers and interns are asked to complete a survey that asks them to voluntarily identify additional information that helps with  GBA+ and other analysis such as program results.

The Youth Employment and Skills Program, in addition to helping youth gain experience in agriculture, provides additional support to youth facing barriers and Indigenous individuals and organizations. An increased cost-share ratio of up to 80% (up to a max of $14,000) is available for those two groups. In addition, youth facing barriers can also receive up to another $5,000 to cover the costs of addressing employment barriers.

This program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The methodology used by the Farm Products Council of Canada deals with the assessment of the agencies' annual reports, financial statements and concerns that are being raised by Council and addressed by the agencies it oversees throughout the year. The assessment done by the Farm Products Council of Canada does not use indicators that impact GBA+ analysis.

Dairy Farm Investment Program & Dairy Direct Payment Program

The Dairy Farm Investment Program & Dairy Direct Payment Program do not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The Dairy Direct Payment Program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity (GBA+). However, the Dairy Farm Investment Program application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

The Department is looking at options on how GBA+ can be incorporated into future supply-management programs.

Dairy Processing Investment Fund

The Dairy Processing Investment Fund does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The Dairy Processing Investment Fund application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. The Program is set to sunset at the end of 2021-22.

This program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework

This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency does not have the authority nor the appropriate programs and services to advance the objectives of GBA+ initiatives. Its legislated mandate is specific to the enforcement of legislation established to ensure that pari-mutuel betting conducted on horse racing is done so in a manner compliant with the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations, and Section 204 of the Criminal Code.  This includes the authorization of legal entities (i.e., race track operations) to offer betting products, the ongoing oversight of betting data, and the drug testing of race horses.

Local Food Infrastructure Fund & Food Waste Reduction Challenge

The Local Food Infrastructure Fund and the Food Waste Reduction Challenge support the pillar of Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The programs collect GBA+ data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the programs on specific underrepresented groups.

For the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, in performance reports submitted to the Department following project completion, recipients are asked to identify the vulnerable groups that were served by their organization. Options include: Indigenous; persons who are homeless or street-involved; low income households; isolated, rural and/or northern communities; persons with disabilities; other groups with social or employment barriers including literacy and numeracy; newcomers to Canada (including refugees); visible minorities; women; youth; seniors; LGBTQ2 community; official language minority communities.

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-Shared Markets and Trade Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-Shared Markets and Trade programming is delivered directly to the sector by the provinces and territories. Sufficient data is not collected from the provinces and territories to enable monitoring of impacts by gender and diversity as this was not a requirement in the Canadian Agricultural Partnership framework Agreement (2018-2023). The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The Foundational Science and Research Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework

This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The purpose of this science program is: “Scientific knowledge (i.e., products, technologies, beneficial management practices) is transferred or available for transfer to the agriculture sector and the science community”.

AgriScience does not have a direct impact that supports the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The program collects GBA+ data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented groups. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. In addition, at the final performance reporting stage, recipients will be required to report on the gender and diversity of the highly qualified personnel who were working on funded activities. This will inform future program design and enable targets and baselines to be set for the next iteration of the program.

AgriInnovate does not have a direct impact that supports the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The AgriInnovate Program collects GBA+ data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented groups. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. This will inform future program design for the next iteration of the program.

Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program does not have a direct impact that supports the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program collects GBA+ data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented groups. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. This will inform future programs design for the next iteration of the program.

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research, Innovation and Environment Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-shared Science, Research, Innovation and Environment programming is delivered directly to the sector by the provinces and territories. Sufficient data is not collected from the provinces and territories to enable monitoring of impacts by gender and diversity as this was not a requirement in the Canadian Agricultural Partnership framework Agreement (2018-2023). The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The AgriStability Program supports the pillars of Economic Participation and Prosperity and the Leadership and Democratic Participation of the Gender Results Framework.

AgriStability is a part of the Suite of Business Risk Management Programs. Business Risk Management Programs do not collect sufficient data to enable monitoring or reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity.

Business Risk Management Programs are the tools that provide agricultural producers with protection against income and production losses, helping them manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms. The Business Risk Management Suite is open to all agricultural producers who meet the respective program eligibility criteria set out in relevant program guidelines or legislation; factors such as gender, age, ethnic diversity, education, etc. are not considered in determining program eligibility or benefit levels.

A GBA+ assessment was conducted on the AgriStability program. Efforts to better understand the participation of underrepresented groups in the sector will be prioritized in order to enable identification of barriers and what data requirements are needed to better inform policy and program development and enhance diversity in the sector.

Business Risk Management Programs are cost-shared between the federal government and the provinces and territories under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Collecting GBA+ data was not a requirement under Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The AgriInsurance Program supports the pillars of Economic Participation and Prosperity and the Leadership and Democratic Participation of the Gender Results Framework.

AgriInsurance is a part of the Suite of Business Risk Management Programs. Business Risk Management Programs do not collect sufficient data to enable monitoring or reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity.

Business Risk Management Programs are the tools that provide agricultural producers with protection against income and production losses, helping them manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms. The Business Risk Management Suite is open to all agricultural producers who meet the respective program eligibility criteria set out in relevant program guidelines or legislation; factors such as gender, age, ethnic diversity, education, etc. are not considered in determining program eligibility or benefit levels.

Business Risk Management Programs are cost-shared between the federal government and the provinces and territories under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Collecting GBA+ data was not a requirement under Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The AgriRisk Program supports the pillar of Economic Participation and Prosperity of the Gender Results Framework with an aim to increase the ability of Canadian producers to address risk by supporting research and development as well as the implementation and administration of new risk management tools for use in the agriculture sector.

The AgriRisk Program collects GBA+ data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented groups. The application form asks applicants to identify if any underrepresented groups (Indigenous farmers and land managers; women; young and beginning farmers; official language minorities; and farmers with disabilities) are the target of the program, or may directly benefit from the project. This will inform program design for the next iteration of the program.

The AgriInvest Program supports the pillars of Economic Participation and Prosperity and the Leadership and Democratic Participation of the Gender Results Framework.

AgriInvest is a part of the Suite of Business Risk Management Programs. Business Risk Management Programs do not collect sufficient data to enable monitoring or reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity.

Business Risk Management Programs are the tools that provide agricultural producers with protection against income and production losses, helping them manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms. The Business Risk Management Suite is open to all agricultural producers who meet the respective program eligibility criteria set out in relevant program guidelines or legislation; factors such as gender, age, ethnic diversity, education, etc. are not considered in determining program eligibility or benefit levels.

Business Risk Management Programs are cost-shared between the federal government and the provinces and territories under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Collecting GBA+ data was not a requirement under Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The AgriRecovery Program supports the pillars of Economic Participation and Prosperity and the Leadership and Democratic Participation of the Gender Results Framework.

AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief framework intended to work together with the core Business Risk Management programs to help agricultural producers recover from natural disasters; the program does not collect sufficient data to enable monitoring or reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity.

AgriRecovery initiatives are cost-shared between the federal government and participating provinces or territories, and typically delivered by the province/territory, or its delivery agent. Ability to report on impacts by gender and diversity will be considered in future negotiations with the provinces on AgriRecovery initiatives. 

The Loan Guarantee Programs include three programs: the Advance Payments Program (APP) and Price Pooling Program (PPP) under the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act and the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program (CALA). These programs support the pillars of Economic Participation and Prosperity and the Leadership and Democratic Participation of the Gender Results Framework.

Through these programs, the federal government guarantee's the repayment of loans (APP, CALA) or prices (PPP) in order to improve cash flow and improve marketing opportunities for Canada's agricultural producers (APP), encourage cooperative marketing (PPP) and provide access to the credit needed to establish and improve farming operations (CALA).

A GBA+ assessment was conducted in 2019 when the Department amended the Agricultural Marketing Programs Regulations to increase advance limits of the Advance Payments Program. This analysis found that, while factors such as gender, age, culture, education, etc. are not considered in determining program eligibility, the Advance Payments Program has and will continue to benefit all eligible producers in the sector.

The Department will consult with third-party administrators regarding the changes necessary to report on program impacts by gender and diversity, such as adjusting program forms and electronic delivery and reporting systems to allow for the collection of GBA+ data from applicants.

The Farm Debt Mediation Service does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The Farm Debt Mediation Service does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. However, applicants can choose to disclose gender on their application, but it is not required.

Farm Debt Mediation Service is a legislated financial service that helps farmers in financial crisis mediate solutions with their creditors. The Service relates directly to situations of potential insolvency, where it seeks to help creditors and borrowers find mutually acceptable solutions. The process it follows and information it gathers are therefore highly regulated and confidential. Moreover, this work is led by neutral third-party financial experts. As such, the Service does not share or report on this information beyond the number of farmers helped to ensure the privacy of all involved.

The Service is obligated to submit a report to Parliament in late 2021 as stipulated under the Farm Debt Mediation Act. As part of preparing for this report, the Service will further explore the issue of GBA+ and if there is something the Service can do differently to advance GBA+ issues, such as working to increase the diversity of members in its Appeal Board, and ensuring communications are done in a manner that all communities are aware of the Service and can benefit from its help when needed.

The Pest Management Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework

This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The purpose of this program is: "Scientific data supporting safe use and registration of minor uses of pesticides and of biopesticides are generated and reviewed, and tools, techniques and practices to reduce the risk to human health and the environment associated with pesticide use are made available to producers".

The Assurance Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

The Assurance Program collects data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA+: 1) does the mandate of your organization focus on the following groups, and 2) select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities. Options for both questions include: Indigenous, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable. Further, applicants are associations and businesses, and can choose to disclose diversity (i.e. an Indigenous organization, women's association, etc.), but it is not required.

The Assurance Program is available to associations and business to help industry develop, verify and integrate assurance systems to address market and regulatory requirements that support health and safety claims about Canadian agricultural and agri-food products. The Program is reviewing options on how GBA+ can be incorporated in future iterations.

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-shared Assurance Program does not have impacts that support the pillars and goals of the Gender Results Framework.

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Cost-shared Assurance programming is delivered directly to the sector by the provinces and territories. Sufficient data is not collected from the provinces and territories to enable monitoring of impacts by gender and diversity as this was not a requirement in the Canadian Agricultural Partnership framework Agreement (2018-2023). The ability to report on program impacts by gender and diversity will be considered as the next framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

Gender-Based Analysis plus will be incorporated where possible as part of the Diversity and Inclusion components in the development and implementation of the Department's Digital Operational Strategic Plan (DOSP).