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.

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

The CNSC has established a GBA Plus Responsibility Centre within its Corporate Planning Division. Throughout the year, CNSC staff participate in the GBA Plus Interdepartmental Working Group on Environment and Science, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Director General of Strategic Planning is currently serving as the interim Departmental GBA Plus Champion, with plans for the CNSC’s new Technical Services Branch Vice-President to be appointed as champion in 2025–26.

Capacity

The CNSC continued to integrate GBA Plus into work-related areas where the Government of Canada has established GBA Plus requirements. These areas are:

• the development, implementation and review of regulations
• the conduct of evaluations
• the development of cabinet proposals (such as Treasury Board submissions and memoranda to Cabinet)

The CNSC may expand the application of GBA Plus beyond the mandated areas to include other activities where its application would be beneficial, such as its hybrid work model, the regulatory framework, Indigenous engagement, and communication activities. The decision to undertake a GBA Plus assessment on corporate projects is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

The CNSC’s Corporate Planning Division serves as the CNSC’s GBA Plus Responsibility Centre. It acts as a centre of expertise by providing advice related to GBA Plus, liaising with other departments and agencies, and leading the integration, promotion, monitoring and reporting of GBA Plus activities. In 2025–26, the CNSC will have 0.25 full-time equivalents dedicated to working on GBA Plus.

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility: Nuclear Regulation

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Program goals: This program regulates facilities associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, specifically nuclear processing facilities, nuclear waste management facilities, and uranium mines and mills. The program regulates all the lifecycle stages of these facilities, including site preparation, construction, operation and decommissioning (or long-term management, in the case of some nuclear waste facilities). No GBA Plus outcomes or impacts have currently been identified for this program, but the issue will be further explored in 2025–26 as a part of the CNSC’s review of program performance.

GBA Plus data collection plan: This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. To address this, the CNSC plans to investigate how to incorporate a GBA Plus lens into Nuclear Fuel Cycle compliance verification activities by September 2026. 

Nuclear Reactors

Program goals: This program regulates nuclear power plants and research reactors over all lifecycle stages, including site preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment (once operations are ended). No GBA Plus outcomes or impacts have currently been identified for this program, but the issue will be further explored in 2025–26 as a part of the CNSC’s review of program performance.

GBA Plus data collection plan: This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. To address this, the CNSC plans to further explore GBA Plus data collection in 2025–26 as a part of its review of program performance.

Nuclear Substances and Prescribed Equipment

Program goals: This program ensures the safe and secure use of nuclear substances and prescribed equipment in Canada to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment. The results of regulatory activities associated with this program are communicated annually to the public and other stakeholders. Outreach and communication with licensees is an ongoing process. No GBA Plus outcomes or impacts have currently been identified for this program, but the issue will be further explored in 2025–26 as a part of the CNSC’s review of program performance.

GBA Plus data collection plan: This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. To address this, the CNSC plans to further explore GBA Plus data collection in 2025–26 as a part of its review of program performance.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Program goals: This program provides assurance to both the Canadian public and the international community that the development, production and use of nuclear energy nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed information are safe and comply with the control measures and international obligations to which Canada has agreed. No GBA Plus outcomes or impacts have currently been identified for this program, but the issue will be further explored in 2025–26 as a part of the CNSC’s review of program performance.

GBA Plus data collection plan: This program does not collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. To address this, the CNSC plans to further explore GBA Plus data collection in 2025–26 as a part of its review of program performance.

Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Program goals: This program generates scientific and technical information, institutionalizes the information within the regulatory framework, and publicly disseminates objective scientific, technical and regulatory information. To address GBA Plus impacts identified under this program, the CNSC:

• launched the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund to help reduce financial and capacity barriers so that Indigenous Nations and communities can engage in the full lifecycle of CNSC regulatory processes and build long-term relationships with the CNSC and the nuclear sector
• signed an arrangement with the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC) for collaboration and engagement purposes and to help CANHC members build capacity in the field of nuclear knowledge
• advances collaboration between the CNSC and civil society organizations through its Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (ENGO) Forum, which aims to improve the functionality, accountability and effectiveness of the CNSC’s work in collaboration with ENGOs

GBA Plus data collection plan: This program collects data on funding recipients by region (province) and by type (e.g., First Nations and Inuit associations, national organizations, local and provincial non-profit organizations) through the application process. CNSC staff also send surveys to all PFP and ISCF recipients to obtain their feedback on those programs and how they can be improved. The survey results influence how the programs will be delivered going forward.