Date of Publishing:
Gender-based analysis plus
Introduction
In 2018, Parliament passed the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act. The Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports are being used to fulfill the President of the Treasury Board’s obligations to make public, every year, analysis on the impacts of expenditure programs on gender and diversity.
Each department is responsible for conducting their own Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)
The Policy on Results indicates that Program officials, as designated by Deputy Heads, are responsible for ensuring data collection for meeting policy requirements.
Applicability
All organizations must complete GBA Plus supplementary information tables in departmental plans and departmental results reports on an annual basis.
Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity
Governance
During 2025–2026, the NSIRA Secretariat will focus on developing an updated GBA Plus Framework to strengthen institutional governance and support the consistent integration of GBA Plus across its activities. This work will include reviewing current structures, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and exploring mechanisms to enhance internal coordination and accountability related to GBA Plus implementation. The updated framework will serve as a foundational document to guide governance, capacity building, and accountability mechanisms in support of GBA Plus objectives throughout the organization.
Capacity
In 2025–26, the NSIRA Secretariat will strengthen its GBA Plus capacity by developing an updated internal framework to guide its application across the organization. This work follows the conclusion of the Secretariat’s Equity, Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Action Plan and marks a shift toward a more integrated and sustainable approach to GBA Plus implementation.
As part of this transition, the Secretariat will establish an intra-departmental GBA Plus working group with representation from across the organization. This group will support internal coordination, promote consistent practices, and serve as a central mechanism for advancing GBA Plus awareness and application. These efforts aim to ensure GBA Plus continues to inform decision-making and program delivery in a structured and meaningful way.
Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus
Given the size of the organization, the NSIRA Secretariat does not have full-time equivalents (FTEs) dedicated exclusively to GBA Plus. However, to support the advancement of GBA Plus, the Secretariat will establish an intra-departmental working group composed of representatives from across the organization. This working group will function as the GBA Plus Responsibility Centre, with a mandate to lead, support, and monitor the implementation of the GBA Plus Framework.
The working group will be strategically positioned to influence decisions across multiple sectors. A member of senior management will participate in the group to ensure alignment with organizational priorities, communicate commitments, and act as a spokesperson for GBA Plus initiatives and results.
Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program
Core responsibility: National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations.
Program name: National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations.
Program goals: NSIRA reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable, and necessary. The Agency also investigates complaints from members of the public on the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security-related complaints, independently and in a timely manner. The NSIRA Secretariat supports the Agency in the delivery of its mandate.
GBA Plus data collection plan
The NSIRA Secretariat’s program does not currently collect sufficient gender- and diversity-disaggregated data to enable comprehensive monitoring or reporting on program impacts through a GBA Plus lens. However, in 2025–26, the Secretariat will prioritize this area as part of its broader effort to update and implement a renewed internal GBA Plus Framework. This process will include assessing current data practices, identifying relevant indicators, and exploring methods to enhance the collection and use of disaggregated data where appropriate. These efforts are intended to build the foundation for more consistent monitoring and future reporting on the differential impacts of the Secretariat’s activities, thereby supporting a more inclusive and evidence-informed approach to oversight and review.
