Status of Women committee  In terms of the work we do, I'll go back to the gender-based analysis piece. In all of those elements, we look at not only gender but all of the intersectional pieces. We are working with other departments as well in terms of programming that they have specifically for LGBTQ2 communities, for indigenous folks, persons with disabilities, and looking at visible minorities as well.

Status of Women committee  There was a lot of work, actually, to come to decide on those six pillars. It wasn't just our department. We worked very closely with the Department of Finance, as well as with Global Affairs. Looking at all of the aspects that had to be covered, the six pillars actually bucket very nicely a lot of the elements that fall within.

Status of Women committee  We are the department that leads on the gender-based analysis. We are the centre of expertise around information and knowledge for GBA+ for all departments. Every department now, though, also has their own gender-based analysis unit within the department to allow them to do analysis on any of the policies that departments will be putting in place, such as memorandums to cabinet or Treasury Board submissions.

Status of Women committee  That's an excellent question. As you point out, it's a very difficult area to work in, especially for folks on the ground and people who live that experience. Danielle's team is focused on the gender-based violence strategy that we have right now at the federal level. The aspects around prevention and awareness and what they mean in that strategy is something that we still see now as areas where we can build more and increase our work and our programming.

Status of Women committee  On that point, we are working very closely with the indigenous colleagues and organizations that we work with to ensure that whatever strategy we put in place aligns with some of the really specific needs that folks have identified in communities. We're working closely as well with our colleagues at CIRNAC and ISC and MMIWG as well, because there are some similarities around the gender-based violence piece.

Status of Women committee  I would agree. We capture as part of the gender results framework an international component, but the piece specifically related to that would be with our Global Affairs colleagues.

Status of Women committee  I'll add to that. In addition to the work that Lisa talked about, the department is also looking at a gender-based violence national action plan, and looking at what that means across the country, not only within the federal government but also in working with provinces and territories.

Status of Women committee  We work directly with the Department of Finance, as you pointed out, in terms of the gender budgeting piece. We work very closely with them to ensure that for all proposals going to the Department of Finance, a gender-based analysis is done. In terms of the programming within our department, we prioritize the programming based on the needs and the priorities that we're working on at the federal government level.

Status of Women committee  You're right. There was a report issued in the summer of last year, I believe, on men and boys, and on the work and things we learned in terms of looking at the engagement sessions around what we need to do related to men and boys. We have a couple of projects that we're focused on, specifically on some of the areas of work.

Status of Women committee  It's a really important area, obviously, and we have spoken about it a bit before. I think the “plus” in the GBA+ lens is the critical part in terms of the intersectionality when you're looking at this. The rurality is definitely one of the key areas. We have done a lot of work now with our partners at Rural Economic Development.

Status of Women committee  No, go ahead.

Status of Women committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. We're very happy to be here this morning to have this opportunity to present the department's overview, mandate and priorities. As the chair said, we asked for a little longer because there's a lot of information to present in the deck, so we will do that quickly.

Status of Women committee  We work very closely with other departments in creating an environment that increases women's economic security. As I said, I spent most of my career working at ESDC on programming that supports increasing women's access to skilled trades, pilot programming in labour market initiatives, as well as youth programming.

Status of Women committee  We have been working very closely with Feminists Deliver. Our team has been on the ground with them in Vancouver. We have provided support to them as well. Early on, they did recognize the concerns that you have recognized as well, including the concerns of indigenous women and folks who are working and living in the Downtown Eastside.

Status of Women committee  That's an excellent point. The project the minister spoke about is a project we have with them. It is not just a one-year project. It is a three-year project. We're able to support the funding of the initiative in future years. That's an agreement we have with Equal Voice. We are working and continue to work with Equal Voice to ensure that the programming it puts in place takes into account any of the concerns that may have been raised, and that it is addressing those concerns but also putting in place any type of training or opportunities that young women would need to participate fully in the initiative.