The Federal Government has committed in the 2016 Fall Economic Statement to publish a gender based analysis (“GBA”) of new budgetary measures in Budget 2017 and all future budgets. The final chapter of the Budget is Budget 2017’s Gender Statement. It begins with an acknowledgment of women’s presence in Canada’s workforce and the persisting gender wage-gap. It defines gender based analysis as:
“…Analysis that identifies the ways in which public policies affect women and men differently. It does so through a systematic use of data to better tailor the design and delivery of government programs. …..”
As part of the Gender Statement, the Federal Government indicated that it is committed to using GBA across all government departments. The chapter proceeds to discuss and apply the GBA to various Budget measures introduced in 2016 and/or 2017. It identifies how the Federal Government considers these measures to be aimed at “reducing the gender wage gap, encouraging greater workforce participation among women, and helping to combat poverty and violence.” These measures include the Canada Child Benefit, investments in skills training, investments in early learning and education, flexible work arrangements for federally regulated employees, and the elimination of time limits on vocational rehabilitation for spouses of veterans.
