Minister Monsef to host historic Gender-based Analysis Plus Forum
News release
The first-ever GBA+ Forum will be held November 21-22 in Ottawa and discuss how GBA+ benefits everyone
November 21, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – Status of Women Canada
Advancing gender equality is essential to the Government's plan to grow the middle class, help the people working hard to join it, and strengthen Canada's economy. That is why the Government of Canada is working to ensure that its policies, programs, legislation and decision-making benefit everyone by using Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+). GBA+ is a tool that takes into consideration the many identity factors that impact Canadians' experiences, including sex and gender, race, national or ethnic origin, indigeneity, age, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic condition, rurality and ability.
Over the next two days, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, will host the first GBA+ Forum, drawing more than 300 participants from federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, the private sector, civil society, think tanks, academia and research institutions, and international stakeholders. Participants will discuss the importance of integrating GBA+ into the development of public policies, programs and initiatives, and strategies to strengthen analytical capacity across Canada, as well as share results and best practices.
Themed GBA+ Benefits Everyone, the forum will feature seminars, keynote speakers and armchair discussions with experts in the field, touching upon the Government of Canada's 12 priority areas. Other federal representatives taking part in the event include the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Status of Women, and Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada on LGBTQ2 issues. The GBA+ Forum is being held on GBA+ Awareness Week, and fulfills one of the government's mandate commitments.
"Everyone is affected by government decisions. The impact of those decisions are felt differently by Canadians depending on many factors, including where they live, how they identify, their official language of choice or their socioeconomic status. Our government relies on Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) to take those and other differences into account and help ensure everyone benefits equally. This week, our government is hosting over 800 leaders, in-person and online, from across sectors in Canada and around the world, to share our successes and learn to further enhance the application and impact of GBA+. I am confident this Forum will lead to greater equality, and more inclusive services and programs that grow the middle class and support those working hard to join it."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
Quick facts
GBA+ is an analytical tool used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people may experience policies, programs and initiatives. The "plus" in GBA+ acknowledges that GBA goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences.
In 1995, the Government of Canada committed to using Gender-based Analysis Plus to advance gender equality in Canada.
Budget 2017 was the first federal budget to include a Gender Statement that ensures all budget measures help advance the goals of fairness, stronger workforce participation, and gender equality.
Budget 2018 included the creation of a new Gender Results Framework—a comprehensive way to gauge our progress and measure our success to track how Canada is performing and to help define what is needed to achieve greater equality. The Budget also set a new standard with gender budgeting at the core of the decision-making process.
Last month, the Government of Canada introduced legislation to create the Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), which will have an expanded mandate that includes promoting a greater understanding of GBA+. The bill will also make gender budgeting a permanent part of the federal budget-making process.
