Public Accounts committee  In terms of the obligation, it rests with each institution, with each deputy head. The accountabilities rest with each of the departments and agencies to fulfill the obligation for gender-based analysis. So it really is with each organization to take that on and to fulfill those

Public Accounts committee  With regard to the equitable compensation act, our analysis would show that by integrating discussions around equitable compensation within the collective bargaining sphere it actually integrates the gender-based analysis into the collective bargaining process, as opposed to leav

Public Accounts committee  In terms of the Treasury Board Secretariat, I believe that the first time we put it into our guide to submissions was in 2007. In fact, it has been quite clearly prescribed as a component of Treasury Board submissions that departments have to fulfill. With regard to the Privy Co

Public Accounts committee  I'd have to defer to my colleagues to determine whether there was a specific process, but I think the issues around gender-based analysis have been incorporated more informally; it was not until we actually issued a revised guide that it was specifically written up as a requireme

Public Accounts committee  In terms of the challenge function, we are not proposing to change the way we operate.

Public Accounts committee  What we are proposing to do is work with departments and agencies to strengthen their capacity and to strengthen the documentation they put into their own analysis to demonstrate they have taken those issues into account.

Public Accounts committee  If I may, there are two aspects to this. One of them is in fact that departments and agencies should demonstrate that they have taken these issues into account. And we do take the point, as the Auditor General has indicated, that we have to do more and better work on that front.

Public Accounts committee  Yes, but the documentation around whether or not departments have taken that into account should actually be coming from the department--

Public Accounts committee  Step two, if you'll allow me, is in fact--

Public Accounts committee  Step two is in terms of the advice that we give to ministers, and that is included. It is documented, but it is not, as the Auditor General has indicated, provided to the Auditor General. That said, we also see the results in the policies and programs themselves, and I think th

Public Accounts committee  If you don't mind, I will get back to you with a report on that matter. Perhaps we may be able to tell you the extent to which the departments are satisfying our requirements for TB submissions. This is one component of our management accountability framework.

Public Accounts committee  All right. If it's fine with you, I will also consult with our colleagues from Status of Women Canada who have much of that information.

Public Accounts committee  I think if you give us three months we'd be able to comply with that, to look at the components of champions and the extent to which departments are fulfilling their Treasury Board submission requirements.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you. The central agencies did respond to the recommendation made by the Auditor General in her report. And we still remain of the view that it is the responsibility of sponsoring departments to conduct appropriate gender-based analysis and that the challenge function that

Public Accounts committee  In some cases, to reiterate what Ms. Fraser said, analyses have indeed been performed. With respect to the challenge function, discussions have taken place. Perhaps my colleague from the Department of Finance would care to respond.