2021–2022 Departmental Results Report – Supplementary information tables – Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional GBA plus capacity

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) programs support businesses owned or majority-led by underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and members of official language minority communities. Programming aims to increase participation of underrepresented groups in the economy by supporting businesses directly or through not-for-profit organizations by providing funding, business services, training and access to resources.

To enhance data collection and ensure consistency of gender and diversity data on all WD applicants, a diversity and inclusion section was added to all application forms. This allows WD to compile aggregate information for diverse groups on the ownership and/or leadership of the organizations applying to WD programs. From this data, WD could identify potential access issues, make evidence-based decisions, and monitor progress towards improved access to programs and services.

WD supports research and study of entrepreneurial data to identify gaps, and better understand unique challenges faced by certain under represented groups. This informs future program parameters and design.

WD commissioned The Centre for Innovation Studies to launch Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) studies across the West to better understand the unique challenges faced by women and youth in entrepreneurship. WD also invested in a GEM study on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on entrepreneurship in Western Canada. In 2021–2022, a renewed GEM study was initiated. Results and summary reports on women and youth in Western Canada as well as regional entrepreneurship in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, are expected in 2022–2023.

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, program results

Core responsibility: Economic development in western Canada

Program name: Business growth, Business services, Community initiatives, Innovation

Target population: Specific region (western Canada – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Other key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2021-22, WD supported inclusive economic growth throughout western Canada, including focusing on creating economic opportunities for women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, the department delivered targeted programming that directly benefited other under-represented groups, such as Black entrepreneurs, francophones, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. WD is continually improving its GBA+ practices to ensure that diversity and inclusion considerations are consistently used in decision-making.

GBA plus data collection plan

WD has successfully implemented a data collection exercise to collect diversity and inclusion parameters from applicants.

Definitions

Target population: See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the User Instructions for the GBA plus Departmental Summary

Gender scale

• First group: Predominantly men (e.g. 80 per cent or more men)
• Second group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent men
• Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
• Forth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
• Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g. 80 per cent or more women)

Income level scale

• First group: Strongly benefits low income individuals (Strongly progressive)
• Second group: Somewhat benefits low income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
• Third group: No significant distributional impacts
• Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
• Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)

Age group scale

• First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
• Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
• Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation