2022–2023 Departmental Plan - Gender-based analysis plus

AAFC works closely with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and other departments on Canada's trade diversification strategy and its inclusive approach to trade, to ensure that more Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade. This includes small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Canadians who have traditionally been underrepresented, such as women and Indigenous Peoples.

The Department's approach to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) expands Canadian agri-food exporters' access to key markets, while increasing economic opportunities and labour market openings domestically for more Canadians, including underrepresented and marginalized groups. 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. The process 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 benefit everyone.

The Department supports the expansion of benefits and opportunities created by international trade to a broader cross-section of Canadians by considering inclusive trade provisions in trade agreements led by GAC and other departments, such as those related to labour, gender, SMEs, and transparency. In addition, the Department is committed to cooperation and information sharing among FTA partners to improve capacity and conditions allowing underrepresented and marginalized 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 has expanded its GBA Plus disaggregated statistical categories to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity. At the end of 2021-22 fiscal year, the first internal GBA Plus assessment with respect to an FTA was conducted by completing the Department's GBA Plus Assessment Questionnaire. As part of AAFC's internal process, the Department will continue conducting such assessments as a due diligence exercise to ensure negotiators are aware of possible diversity impacts of proposed FTAs and potential inequitable outcomes to those engaged within Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. AAFC findings will be conveyed to the lead department, GAC, and addressed as necessary.

Impacts of Canada's trade policy agenda are economy-wide. However, a thorough GBA Plus assessment is conducted by GAC, with input from other departments after the launch of FTA negotiations, during the course of negotiations, and during the implementation of each FTA. GAC publishes a summary of the findings of this analysis. 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 and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector. These factors are taken into consideration throughout the entire negotiations process.

AgriMarketing

The AgriMarketing Program application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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 Plus considerations can be applied in future iterations.

The Department has improved inclusion of underrepresented and marginalized groups, including youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples in its four new thematic Sector Engagement Tables: Agile Regulations, Skills Development, Sustainability and Consumer Demand, and Market Trends. Inclusion of underrepresented and marginalized voices remains a membership recruitment priority for the remaining tables (i.e. Animal Protein, Field Crops, Horticulture, Seafood and Food Processing) being implemented in 2022-23.

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.

In terms of mechanisms in support of women and Indigenous Peoples, AAFC has committed to developing separate forums for women and Indigenous Peoples in the agriculture sector under the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Work continues to develop approaches that will ultimately increase representation and participation of these groups across the sector by cultivating networking and information-sharing opportunities, and informing both AAFC and other relevant government policies and programs, to help unlock the full economic potential of the sector.

AAFC's Regional Operation Directorate ensures inclusion and participation of underrepresented and marginalized groups, including youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples as part of its planning for the minister's and departmental officials outreach, as well as regional industry engagement activities. This helps to provide unique insights on barriers facing underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The following programs under Sector Engagement and Development collect data to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

AgriCompetitiveness

The AgriCompetitiveness Program collects data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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 collects data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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 and marginalized 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 underrepresented 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 collects data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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 Plus 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 these 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 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 Plus analysis.

The Department is collaborating with portfolio partners to explore options on how GBA Plus considerations can be applied to future supply-management programs.

Dairy Farm Investment Program

The Dairy Farm Investment Program application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

Dairy Direct Payment Program

The Dairy Direct Payment Program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor or report program impacts by gender and diversity.

Supply Management Processing Investment Fund

The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund may provide an additional 10 percent in support of total eligible costs for companies that are owned or led by an underrepresented group. Applicants will have the opportunity to self-identify on the application form.

The application form will ask applicants the following question: is your organization majority owned or led (more than 50%) by one or more of the following groups. Options for the question include women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, not applicable, and decline to identify. Note: Youth is defined as people aged 35 and under.

Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program

The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program will provide a higher cost share (85:15 as opposed to 70:30) for youth (35 years old and under) who meet the eligible criteria.

The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program collects some data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Program currently enables only one underrepresented group – youth – to self-identify. However, AAFC is exploring expanding self-identification to include other underrepresented groups (e.g. Indigenous Peoples, women, visible minority/racialized, persons with disabilities, official language minority).

Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken

The Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken will work to help mitigate some of the diversity issues that have been identified by promoting the use of inclusive marketing and encouraging the hiring of diverse Canadians to work in the sector.

The Program collects data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

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 Plus 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 programs collect GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the programs on specific underrepresented and marginalized 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 Peoples, 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, the LGBTQ2 community, and official language minority communities.

AgriCommunication Program

The AgriCommunication Program collects data to enable it to monitor and report program impacts by gender and diversity.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, decline to identify, and not applicable.

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 policy framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The Foundational Science and Research 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”.

The AgriScience program collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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.

The AgriInnovate Program collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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.

Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) Living Labs

The ACS–Living Labs collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific under-represented groups.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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. Results for some of the program's performance indicators (e.g., number of partnerships established, number of producers who participate in the co-development of Beneficial Management Practices) will include a breakdown for underrepresented groups.

Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) On-Farm Action Fund

The ACS–On-Farm Action Fund collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The application form asks applicants several questions in support of GBA Plus:

• 1) Does your organization have experience in working with Indigenous groups and/or individuals currently underrepresented in agriculture, including women, young farmers, members of official language minority communities, and racialized groups;
• 2) Does your organization have a workplace diversity and inclusion plan that targets one or more of the following underrepresented groups (Options include: Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, youth, LGBTQ2+, Members of Official Language Minority);
• 3) Will your proposal support the participation of Indigenous producers and any of the underrepresented groups; and
• 4) How will your organization ensure that On-Farm Climate Action Fund assistance will benefit Indigenous ultimate recipients and other members of groups currently underrepresented in agriculture (including women, young farmers, members of official language minority communities and racialized groups). Please include details and targets (if applicable).

Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program

• Adoption Stream

  The ACT–Adoption Stream collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

  The Project Summary Form and application forms ask applicants one question in support of GBA Plus: 1) Select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities (select all that apply) Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, not applicable, and decline to identify.

• Research and Innovation Stream

  The ACT–Research and Innovation Stream collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

  The application form asks applicants one question in support of GBA Plus: 1) Select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities (select all that apply) Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, not applicable, and decline to identify.

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 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 Peoples, 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.

AgriStability is 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 Plus data was not a requirement under Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Efforts to better understand the participation of underrepresented and marginalized groups in the sector will be considered through the next policy framework 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.

AgriInsurance is 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 Plus 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 policy framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

The AgriRisk Program collects GBA Plus data at the application stage so that performance data can be disaggregated to examine the impact of the program on specific underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The application form asks applicants two questions in support of GBA Plus: 1) Does the project focus on addressing the needs of any of the following groups? Please note that the information requested in this question is voluntary. It may be used by AAFC to inform future policies, programs and communications activities, and may be considered during the project assessment. (Options include: Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, persons with disabilities, not applicable, unsure, decline to identify) and 2) If so, how does it address them?

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 Plus 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 policy framework is being negotiated with the provinces and territories.

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). Through these programs, the federal government guarantees 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 Plus assessment was conducted in 2019 when the Department amended the Agricultural Marketing Programs Regulations to increase advance limits of the APP. This analysis found that, while factors such as gender, age, culture, education, etc. are not considered in determining program eligibility, the APP has and will continue to benefit all eligible producers in the sector.

The Department has taken the initial steps of engaging third-party APP administrators regarding the rationale and importance of collecting GBA Plus data and the need for future changes to allow for reporting on program impacts by gender and diversity. This may include changes such as adjusting program forms and electronic delivery and reporting systems to allow for the collection of GBA Plus data from applicants.

The 2018-19 Evaluation of the CALAProgram found that while GBA Plus considerations were included throughout the report, limited data was available to conduct a complete diversity and inclusiveness analysis.

The CALA program is delivered by financial institutions to eligible producers. The financial institutions are required to apply the same care and procedures in making a CALA loan as they would for conventional loans of similar amounts. The Department is currently undertaking a study of the CALA program, of which a component is assessing the use of the program by underrepresented groups. The Program is reviewing options on how GBA Plus considerations can be incorporated to the program in the future.

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

Farm Debt Mediation Service is a legislated financial service that helps farmers in financial difficulties 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 Plus and if there is something the Service can do differently to advance GBA Plus priorities, 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.

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 AgriAssurance 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 Plus: 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 Peoples, 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.

It should also be noted that under the SME Component, the Program is supporting diversity and inclusion as many small and medium enterprise applicants are women and racialized entrepreneurs.

The AgriAssurance Program is available to associations and businesses 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 Plus considerations can be applied in future iterations.