Government of Canada's approach on Gender-based Analysis Plus
In 2025, Canada is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) as part of Canada’s commitment to gender equality, following the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Since 1995, GBA Plus has evolved, and it has become an integrated component of Government of Canada decision-making processes.
On this page
Canada’s Commitment
In Canada, GBA Plus is recognized as a key component to support the development of effective policies, programs, and legislation. GBA Plus provides federal officials with the means to continually improve their work and attain better results, by being more responsive to the diverse needs and circumstances of the populations they serve.
The Government of Canada continues to work on enhancing the implementation of GBA Plus across all federal departments.
To learn more about the Government of Canada’s commitment, including how it is addressing the findings of the Auditor General of Canada’s 2022 Report on GBA Plus, read the Management Response and Action Plan:
The Importance of the “Plus”
Every person has multiple intersecting identity factors that make them who they are as individuals. These identity factors shape their experiences and their lived realties. This is called intersectionality.
The “Plus” in GBA Plus highlights that this analytical tool is not just about examining impacts in terms of sex and gender, but also the impacts in terms of multiple identity factors and how they intersect to shape a person’s experience of an issue, program or other initiative. These other factors, for example, might include race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.
GBA Plus aims to ensure that the interactions of these identity factors are taken into account when developing a policy, program, or other initiative. This helps to ensure more inclusive policy making and program design.
To learn more about intersecting identity factors, watch this micro-learning video called Beyond Sex and Gender.
The commitment to applying GBA Plus is a shared responsibility across all federal departments and agencies. All federal employees should incorporate GBA Plus into their work, to ensure that it is inclusive and reflects diverse lived experiences. Federal public servants are encouraged to visit Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Gender-based Analysis Plus Resource Centre (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) for helpful information on how to better integrate GBA Plus into the work of departments and agencies.
Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) plays a leadership role in the government-wide implementation of GBA Plus, as part of the department’s three roles as a capacity builder, convener, and knowledge broker.
Roles and Responsibilities within the Government of Canada
Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE):
- Develops GBA Plus guidance, tools, and training
- Supports governance, monitors progress, and convenes federal partners to advance GBA Plus implementation
- Shares GBA Plus knowledge and provides technical assistance to departments and agencies
Central agencies:
- Provide guidance to federal departments and agencies on incorporating GBA Plus where appropriate
- Exercise a challenge function by reviewing the GBA Plus analysis to ensure completeness
Federal departments and agencies:
- Apply GBA Plus to their work
- Integrate and sustain the practice of GBA Plus
- Monitor and report on GBA Plus practices and outcomes
Learn more about GBA Plus
GBA Plus Course
Take the online, self-paced course to learn more about GBA Plus.
If you are a federal public servant and have access to the Canada School of Public Service’s (CSPS) learning platform, you can complete this course and additional training through the Canada School of Public Service. When you complete a course, you will be able to download the certificate of completion from the CSPS learning account.
For all others, please visit Take the Gender-based Analysis Plus course.
Examples of GBA Plus in Action
- Leading with respect in Gwaii Haanas - Learn about the unique cooperative relationship behind the protection of Gwaii Haanas, Haida laws and values, and the connection with the Gender-based Analysis Plus process.
- Applying GBA plus to Understand Women Veterans’ Risk of Homelessness
- Applying GBA Plus to Concussion Prevention and Treatment
- GBA Plus in action at the Canadian Coast Guard
- Does Climate Change Affect Us All the Same Way?
Timeline: GBA Plus Milestones
To review Canada’s major achievements with respect to GBA Plus over the last 30 years, visit Timeline: GBA Plus Milestones (1995–2025).