Status of Women committee  If we see that, it would be a rare occurrence, and it would make us look a second time just to make sure that it is actually true. As Gail said, it is rare that there isn't a consequence for individuals of the types of programs we deliver.

Status of Women committee  That's a very difficult question for me to answer because the initiatives that go through our department automatically go through a gender-based analysis. We're always looking for exactly that, so it's rare that it wouldn't actually be done, whether it's an MC or a Treasury Board submission, it is very much a part of the focus of our department and how we do policy.

Status of Women committee  As with all other policy initiatives in the department, if there is an MC required—and I know we're going back and forth as to whether an MC will be required—there will be a gender-based analysis required. It's a GBA+. Additionally, when there's a Treasury Board submission to access those funds, there will be a requirement that a GBA+ be done, as well.

Status of Women committee  We have a detailed GBA questionnaire with all sorts of questions that programs go through when they are developing an initiative. For example, if there is a negotiation process that is part of an initiative, one of the questions is whether the meetings are at such a time that they're accommodating people's work hours, as well as their child care arrangements, and if they are ensuring that they're not having a negative impact in terms of their timing of these discussions of these meetings.

Status of Women committee  We don't currently have a GBA champion at INAC.

Status of Women committee  As opposed to having a champion, we actually have accountabilities that are very clear. Our deputy minister and our senior ADM of policy and strategic direction both must ensure that any initiative going forward has a gender-based analysis attached to it. In addition, in terms of our Treasury Board submissions, there is a requirement that there be a gender-based assessment done for those as well.

Status of Women committee  In terms of the role of the GBARs, they form a community of practice of sorts within the department. They provide advice and guidance to the sector leads in developing policies. As to whether they're champions or not, they are champions in their own right, but we do not have an overarching departmental champion at this point in time for gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  It very much is part. For our department, the shift from GBA to GBA+ was not monumental, because we are always focusing on a very vulnerable population. We know it's a very segmented population. There are communities that are doing very, very well and those that are not.

Status of Women committee  For INAC, I can't say whether we have had things returned from an external body, but internally we have sent things back to programs and sectors asking them to strengthen their GBA. Internally we do make sure, and we push back. I can't say if...but we will get back to you on that as well.

Status of Women committee  No, that's an internal requirement. It's not legislated.

Status of Women committee  The repercussion is that your memorandum to cabinet doesn't leave the department until you complete your GBA.

Status of Women committee  We do not have a specific committee for GBA, but the deputy minister is accountable for GBA writ large in the department. That then cascades down to the senior ADM of policy and strategic direction, which ensures that across the department, and through all the initiatives, we take a GBA lens to everything we do.

Status of Women committee  In the less traditional areas, such as in economic development, we took even a more vigorous approach to GBA, because we know there is a tendency to support businesses that are started by males. There was a directed focus on ensuring women have the opportunity, as well as the support, to apply and to access the different project lines of funding.

Status of Women committee  That came up in relation to the fact that we often, in the early days, didn't have a good way of breaking down data by gender. It became a recommendation that flowed from the evaluation of the family violence program, to make sure we always have gender-disaggregated data. That has been an initiative ongoing since then.

Status of Women committee  It absolutely has. As I mentioned, we are cognizant of the fact that when we look at programs that are stereotypically focused on assisting women with family violence issues, we also need to ensure we're not overlooking men and boys. Through the disaggregated data, we're able to pinpoint where the issues are.