Status of Women committee  I wouldn't say that Status of Women would have said in the past that everything was working wonderfully. We recognized that there was still a great deal of work to be done. We were very pleased with the work that was being done with central agencies, because we recognized the significance of having the accountability measures in place.

Status of Women committee  The answer is yes, my colleague tells me; she's the expert here on gender-based analysis. Of course, we do have the self-assessment tool as well that various departments can use to do a self-assessment on how well they are doing. We will be working with them as well in looking at how they can better evaluate the results they're getting from the usage of gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  I think you will have to, again, ask the Department of Finance with respect to what evidence they have with respect to gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  Yes, in the last two years I think significant progress has been made, particularly with respect to working together with central agencies to focus on the accountability elements. We understand that if you're going to have gender-based analysis, and you're going to ensure that it is working, you need to ensure that there are ways to have each department reporting on it and demonstrating the accountability that's there.

Status of Women committee  I'm assuming that you're referring to gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  It is the departments that appoint the champions, not Status of Women Canada. We can encourage departments to appoint champions. We can also encourage them to have those with the proper expertise assist their various units. We'll also be working on the response to help the various departments clarify expectations on when it is appropriate to perform gender-based analysis and how to report the findings.

Status of Women committee  I would like, obviously, INAC to be here to answer the questions, but yes, we understand that they did a gender-based analysis for the bill, and that indeed would be reflected in the way the provisions of the bill appeared before the House when it was introduced. We have worked closely with INAC in terms of building their capacity, and of course, as you know we do have an interdepartmental committee that meets on a regular basis to share learning and to continue to build the capacity of all of the departments that are working on gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  I think it's very important to have models and departments that have already advanced significantly with integrating the work of gender-based analysis into all of their policy and program development. I know that INAC is quite prepared to share their learning with other departments and to act as a source of advice with respect to other departments, how they did it and what's required, and how they can support other departments in doing that.

Status of Women committee  I think we do look much more broadly than just the gender-based analysis. This is one of the tools that is used, but Status of Women works to identify gaps in policy. We have received a great deal of feedback. You know that we have programs, such as the women's program that has a community fund and a partnership fund, that also work to support women and provide direct benefit to women and encompass the broad range of activities of women, where their needs are, in communities across the country.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for your question, Ms. Neville. Obviously Status of Women will be working with Treasury Board and PCO to look at each of the steps required for implementation. One of the factors is looking at the specific needs of the individual departments and what will be required in terms of clarification, for example, of which departments do not yet have a full framework for implementing gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  We will be working within the resources we currently have and we will do this in the most effective way. As was said by the central agencies, the accountability at the end of the day for doing gender-based analysis rests with the individual departments, and not with Status of Women Canada or central agencies.

Status of Women committee  We are looking across the spectrum of women at Status of Women. We know that women are at different places at different stages of their lives, so we look across a broad spectrum. If you look at some of the work we've done over the past two years, you'll see that very well reflected in it.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for that question. I'll explain what we have done. As you have said, Madam Boucher, Status of Women has been instrumental in ensuring that training is available to all the government departments. We have trained a number of trainers in addition to our own staff who have assisted departments.

Status of Women committee  I'll start, then I'll turn it over to my colleagues. Of course, we've accepted the recommendations of the Auditor General and a great deal of work has been done over the last few years, on which the Treasury Board and PCO could elaborate more, working together with Status of Women to look at the accountability mechanisms that are necessary to ensure that gender-based analysis will not only be done, but through which departments can demonstrate that accountability.

Status of Women committee  Thank you. My name is Clare Beckton, and I am the coordinator, Status of Women Canada. As you know, Status of Women Canada, in collaboration with the central agencies, leads the process to implement gender-based analysis across the federal government. I am joined today by two colleagues from central agencies.