2025-26 Gender-based analysis Plus

Consultation and Accommodation

Program goals: To provide support to federal departments and agencies as they work to fulfill the Crown's legal duty to consult, and where appropriate accommodate, Indigenous Peoples whose asserted or established Aboriginal or treaty rights may be impacted by a federal activity. The program provides capacity support funding and tools to Indigenous partners across regions in Canada. Indigenous representation within the program is determined by each Nation or community, and reflects their own approaches to GBA Plus goals.

GBA Plus data collection plan: Being cognizant of the administrative reporting burden on Indigenous partners, performance measurement, and indicators of the program for emerging GBA Plus impacts are encouraged within the existing reporting structure for Indigenous Peoples but not imposed by CIRNAC. In addition, the department will collect available disaggregated data on most of its program indicators in the Performance Information Profile every year, in order to assess trends and address barriers or gaps. These will include disaggregated data on Indigenous groups accessing the Consultation and Accommodation Program, such as their distinctions group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) and location (Province, Territory), as well as disaggregated data on participants in the Programs' webinars and tailored training offerings on topics such as the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System and the Legal Duty to Consult.

Furthermore, federal officials collect data in engagement sessions to ensure the reporting burden is not imposed on Indigenous participants. The data includes which diverse, grassroots organizations participate in engagement sessions (quantitative, registration lists) and input from these organizations in engagement discussions (qualitative, through engagement participation and written submissions). Gathering information directly from participants is an opportunity to understand lived experiences and the impacts Crown activities have on those individuals. All the data is collected in engagement records, engagement summaries, and the interim ‘What We Learned Report'. This data will be further analyzed to develop content for new guidelines, which will also undergo engagement in 2025, with a GBA Plus lens applied throughout the process.

First Nation Jurisdiction over Land and Fiscal Management

Program Goals: The program contributes to the development of strong First Nations governance and capacity and provides them with options to exercise jurisdiction, control and management over their own affairs and resources and pursue economic development activities.

GBA Plus data collection plan: CIRNAC collects data on the number of First Nations scheduled to the FN Fiscal Management Act, the province where they are located, the levels of financial management certification each scheduled Nation has achieved, the number of taxing First Nations under the act and the tax revenue collected, as well as the value of loans issued by the First Nation Finance Authority.  However, this data along with much more detailed data, is owned by the Fiscal Management Act Institutions. As First Nations-led independent institutions, the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Finance Authority, and the First Nations Infrastructure Institute are responsible for data collection in relation to the delivery of their services, based on what information they deem necessary to ensure efficient support to First Nation governments and organizations. As such, they can collect data to support GBA Plus analysis, in a complementary fashion to what Canada is collecting through the program, should they choose to.

Indigenous Engagement and Capacity Support

Program Goals: This new program groups departmental activities that support the capacity of Indigenous organizations to operate in a sustainable manner, their ability to effectively identify and represent the needs and priorities of their respective memberships, and to engage with the federal government to advance policy and program positions that address their priorities. These organizations may represent First Nations (Status, Non-Status, On-Reserve and Off-Reserve), Métis, or Inuit communities, as well as Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, youth and other traditionally under-represented Indigenous People. Program goals are advanced through funding support to Indigenous organizations as well as through the implementation of various Crown-Indigenous relationship agreements. These activities aim to facilitate Indigenous organizational capacity and engagement, to ensure Indigenous voices and priorities are reflected in program and policy direction. In addition, the program advances Canadian and northern interests through circumpolar forums such as the international Arctic Council.

GBA Plus data collection plan: Considering that this a new program, the data collection for the initiative Supporting Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ includes the following:

• Building on the success of the 2023-24 pilot project, the program will offer the option of oral reporting more broadly to recipients. Further, the oral report session, with recipient approval, will be opened to other federal departments with cross-cutting mandates as an opportunity to learn about the work being undertaken by the recipient organization. The pilot demonstrated that qualitative data from oral reports complements the standardized quantitative data collection instruments and financial reports to better assess program impact. Oral reports provided the opportunity for recipients to provide information about the impact of the funding of the project within the organization and in the community that also allowed for the blending of traditional approaches and reduced administrative burden and barriers.
• The department developed program specific terms and conditions for the Supporting Indigenous Women's and 2SLGBTQI+ contribution program. This included the development of a program application with reporting templates to collect both quantitative and qualitative data to measure the impact of funding, activities and outcomes (including demographic, gender/identity, geographic disaggregated data). The program will begin using the new terms and conditions in April 2025 to prepare for the fall 2025 launch of a national call for proposals for projects that will begin in April 2026.
• CIRNAC collects sufficient data to enable GBA Plus monitoring. Under the project entitled "Gender Equality in the Arctic roman numeral 4IV", the department builds upon the project's previous iteration, the pan-Arctic Gender Equality in the Arctic (GEA) roman numeral 3III report, to address the knowledge gaps and recommendations for future actions identified during that phase of work. This fourth iteration will focus on a circumpolar assessment of available gender disaggregated data and recommendations for addressing the lack of availability. The project will also produce a series of podcasts addressing such themes as "Decolonization and Indigenization from Cultural and Spiritual Perspectives", "Governance", "Decision-Making Processes", "Human Rights of Arctic Indigenous Peoples", "Human Security", and "Social Justice from a Gendered Lens". In this regard, Canada and its circumpolar partners will both develop a process that ensures gender perspectives, contributions and knowledge are adequately assessed in all stages of the Council's project work as well as seek collaboration among national statistical agencies, Permanent Participant Organizations and Arctic Council working groups to develop an approach to address the lack of gender disaggregated data available in the region. This project aligns closely with Canada's commitment to gender equality. The Circumpolar Affairs initiatives outlined above will be monitored via planning and reporting processes as outlined in various Treasury Board submissions, departmental and operational plans.

Indigenous-led Services

Program Goals: This new program groups departmental activities supporting Indigenous organizations in delivering services to Indigenous individuals and communities in support of Canada's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls to Justice. Proposal-based or distinctions-based funding is allocated to Indigenous organizations to deliver a range of services such as housing infrastructure and programming, youth leadership development, cultural programming, and wellness and healing services to MMIWG and 2SLGBTQI+ survivors and their families. This funding aims to enhance First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples' access to culturally-competent and Indigenous-led services, with the ultimate departmental goals of recognizing and resolving past injustices and supporting Indigenous Peoples' strengthened socio-economic conditions and well-being.

The program supports Indigenous organizations in delivering services to all 3 Indigenous distinctions: First Nations (on- and off-reserve), Inuit (in Inuit Nunangat and in urban/southern areas) and Métis (represented by 6 Métis organizations). The Program also supports Indigenous organizations in delivering services to Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals as well as Indigenous youth. The program allows a more precise articulation of the intended results of these services, which are primarily to advance the socio-economic conditions and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and communities.

GBA Plus data collection plan: Considering that this is a new program, data collection for all key initiatives are not at the same stage and will be considered in the future development of the program. As such, the program will be:

• Collecting data via the Inuit Art foundation to provide more details and determine if the program is improving the quality of life for northerners, reducing the gaps in social outcomes through data referencing the programs that are being delivered. It will also showcase the increased capacity and reduced socio-economic issues through the education and profile database data.
• Collecting data via Inuit Counselling in the South to provide more details and determine how many communities are benefiting from the services provided, as well the number of clients that are supported annually.
• Collecting data via Nanilavut to provide more information on how many activities took place as well as the number of individuals or families that have been assisted in finding their lost loved ones.

However, there is limited GBA Plus capacity for many of the distinctions-based self-determining Indigenous governments. Notwithstanding the many data gaps, several indicative trends are observable in data. Partners are asked to take into account GBA Plus and data collection for housing and infrastructure investments. Still, given the significant data gaps, and the importance of co-developing culturally competent, distinctions-based GBA Plus data collection and results measurement approaches that respond to the unique needs of the different groups, it is premature to commit to specific GBA Plus indicators or data collection at this time.

In order to develop and improve future data collection and analysis for the Indigenous-led Services, CIRNAC is encouraging its Indigenous partners to consider and track GBA Plus data. For example, for the recently launched Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, CIRNAC is encouraging Métis partners to consider and track of GBA Plus data in housing projects, where possible.

Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties

Program Goals: The program aims to create, foster, and maintain ongoing relationships to support the fulfilment of Canada's legal obligations and objectives pursuant to modern treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements including the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. It supports Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities in articulating their interests, participating in economic activities, and managing and developing land and resources. The program demonstrates the importance of agreements and related partnerships between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples by honouring Canada's obligations as set out in modern treaties and self-government agreements, and by improving collaboration between Canada and Indigenous Peoples, particularly between Canada and modern treaties and self-government agreement holders.

GBA Plus data collection plan:In 2024–25, CIRNAC initiated the development of a GBA Plus data collection plan, which will be in place for 2025–26 results. The plan will enable the collection of various data on most of its program indicators in the Performance Information Profile annually, to assess trends and address barriers or gaps. These will include details on our modern treaty, self-government and other constructive arrangement partners, such as their distinctions group (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) and location (Province, Territory, North of the 60-degree parallel).

CIRNAC will also continue to gather Indigenous and non-Indigenous sourced qualitative research, information, and analysis to support evidence-based decision-making to understand the impact modern treaties, self-government, and other constructive agreements have on the socio-economic well-being of Indigenous communities. This includes a body of work, such as Papillion (2008) who reported on the quality of life of Indigenous people under a Modern Treaty, which continues to improve since the signing of these agreements, for instance, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.^{Footnote 1} Another important paper is from Pendakur and Pendakur (2021) who investigated the impact of different types of agreements, arrangements and treaties on income distribution in Indigenous Communities in Canada^{Footnote 2}. Using data from the 2016 census, they demonstrate that community-level average incomes increased by $10,000 or more, greatly benefiting Indigenous communities' socio-economic well-being.

Additionally, CIRNAC will continue to co-develop a Data Toolkit, including tools on how to undertake data collection to measure impact, with partners. These efforts are expected to have similar benefits as conclusions reached in research led by Clark and Davis-Alphonse (2019)^{Footnote 3} who analyzed the impact of Indigenous GBA Plus Toolkit. Like the Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties Program, they recognize the importance of data collection to improve our understanding of socioeconomic impacts of various Indigenous-led policies and initiatives throughout Indigenous communities. Their work also aligns with this programs' purpose by outlining the value of Indigenous decision-making on important matters to the community, whether internally through community policies or externally through the management of Modern Treaties and Self-Government agreements. The Data Toolkit will not be used to define Indigenous communities' perspectives on well-being or socioeconomic success – it is up to each Indigenous Government to define their own goals, and principles to guide them. However, it will support Indigenous communities and governments' efforts around data sovereignty, and the ability to use and manage data (including socioeconomic data) to implement policies and initiatives that respond to the needs of their diverse citizens.

Negotiation of Treaties, Self-Government Agreements and other Constructive Arrangements

Program goals: This program supports Canada's commitment to the negotiation of treaties, self-government agreements and other constructive arrangements to reconcile Indigenous rights with the sovereignty of the Crown. The intent is to co-create an enabling environment where Indigenous groups can exercise their right to self-determination and improve the political, cultural and socioeconomic conditions within their communities. GBA Plus principles are reflected in the negotiation process in various ways, for example: the Parties may identify ways to ensure that the process is community-led through an inclusive and accessible community outreach campaign and ratification, with a particular focus on women, youth and other socially vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and includes consideration of optimal times, places, persons and methods to deliver information to different subgroups. Further, considerations may be given to how a provision proposed for a treaty or self-government agreement would impact individuals based on the intersection of various identity characteristics including gender, sexual orientation, age, educational attainment, family and socioeconomic status, etc. Once an agreement has been concluded, Indigenous groups have the sole authority to allocate the associated funding. This way, Indigenous groups are able to allocate funding towards their own self-determined priorities. They are encouraged to apply GBA Plus principles, but it is not a requirement in the agreements.

GBA Plus data collection plan: Data is collected and disaggregated to help ensure that negotiation processes are as inclusive as possible. For example, provincial and territorial level data is used to support regional equity. The following types of demographic data are typically used to support GBA Plus:

• population totals by community and region, disaggregated by gender
• percentages of Indigenous/non-Indigenous population by community and region
• age/income distribution data for Indigenous/non-Indigenous population by community and region, disaggregated by gender
• percentages of women/men who are members of community or regional boards, committees, or other governance entities

The requirement to collect disaggregated data relating to 2SLGBTQI+ people has been discussed and included in the MMIWG National Action Plan Data Strategy.

Other Claims

Program Goals: CIRNAC has the primary responsibility for the implementation of the Indigenous Childhood Claims Litigation strategy, as well ensuring that Canada's obligations under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) are met. In meeting these objectives, Canada works with partners to ensure that class members, their communities, their families, and those intergenerationally impacted will be able to participate. This includes those who are marginalized due to an intersection, or intersections of identity factors (e.g. 2SLGBTQI+, remoteness, disability, family status, location outside of community, etc.) will be able to participate in the various elements of the proposed initiative.

GBA Plus data collection plan: As Indigenous Childhood Claims are settled, third parties who administer settlements are involved in data collection of this nature. Further, it is unlikely that survivors, their counsel or the courts would agree/approve sharing of this information given the sensitive and confidential nature of the claims.

Residential Schools Legacy

Program Goals: The program funding supports Indigenous community-led initiatives to locate, document, commemorate, and memorialize unmarked burial sites as well as to honour families' wishes to bring children's remains home. In 2023-24, several goals have been achieved to address the legacy of residential schools, including expanding eligibility of community support funding, putting in place 37 new funding agreements, and providing additional funding to existing recipients to support community efforts in response to Calls to Action 72 to 76. The GBA Plus outcome is that partners and communities have timely access to information to plan and implement Calls to Action 72 to 76 initiatives, successfully secure funding to plan and implement Calls to Action 72 to 76 activities, and implement initiatives to locate, document, and commemorate/memorialize missing children and burial sites associated with former residential schools.

GBA Plus data collection plan: The use of program data can enhance the understanding of results and impacts on gender and diversity. CIRNAC will be collecting enhanced data on program recipients, as part of their regular reporting exercises during the program duration, that may contribute to better understanding the impacts through a GBA Plus lens. In addition, the many performance indicators for this Program will be disaggregated by Indigenous distinction (First Nation, Inuit, Metis) and region (Province and/or Territory) in order to monitor impact, assess trends, and identify any potential gaps in program uptake or coverage.

It is noted that Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Fund is in the process of developing a database that centralizes and collects program information for statistical purposes on various aspects of the program. The database will help program authorities to analyze persistent barriers and identify intersectional impacts of the Program.

Specific Claims

Program Goals: Specific claims are past grievances made by a First Nation against the federal government which relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. The Specific Claims process provides an alternative dispute resolution process specifically for First Nations. CIRNAC is considering the best approach to gather disaggregated data related to specific claims for the purpose of intersectional analysis while ensuring Indigenous data sovereignty.

GBA Plus data collection plan: Since 2022, efforts are underway to reform the Program in co-development with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), including the development of options for a Centre for the Resolution of Specific Claims, to address longstanding concerns by First Nations around the process' fairness. As an interim, the Performance Information Profile has been updated to clarify the Program's results story, strengthen its performance indicators, align them with recently reported results, and respond to a recent evaluation of the Program.

Although there is no current tracking or data collection at negotiation tables, discussions are taking place to help determine what approach to gather disaggregated data for the purpose of intersectional analysis is most appropriate while ensuring Indigenous data sovereignty is taken into consideration. Federal negotiators practice inclusive communication, and are mindful that colonial and patriarchal structures, as well as rhetoric, may impact the type and subject matters of negotiations. Canada will continue to ensure that underrepresented groups have a voice by engaging with right's holders and co-developing policy and process reform with First Nations partners.

Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy

Program goals: To provide programming to support Indigenous and Northern communities, organizations, and Peoples to help monitor and adapt to a changing climate, while also working to mitigate emissions through diesel reduction initiatives. The program takes a collaborative and capacity building approach, working with governments, communities, and Indigenous organizations to first identify priorities and then provide direct funding support to: monitor, collect and develop climate data, conduct assessments and plans to identify and address the impacts of climate change, and to plan and construct renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This work helps communities, governments, and Indigenous organizations with decision-making and the implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation actions, while ensuring that these measures are self-determined and community driven. GBA Plus considerations are applied through a variety of methods to mitigate impacts, for example, including the use of committees that bring the various and diverse voices and opinions of Indigenous Peoples, youth, and women to the table when making funding decisions.

GBA Plus data collection plan: While data gaps limit the ability to fully identify potential negative effects of the proposed activities, CIRNAC supports the following data collection activities to capture GBA Plus information:

• The Northern REACHE program monitors the percentage of projects that have taken steps to include culturally-competent GBA Plus measures.
• Initiatives under the Climate Change Adaptation and Clean Energy program have added a question regarding the ways in which the activities carried out for this project incorporated and included the views of women, gender-diverse peoples, youth, Elders  and/or people with disabilities to the 2024-2025 Data Collection Instrument.
• The programs have been using a distinctions-based approach to apply funding, while also supporting and encouraging communities to submit youth-led and youth targeted projects. Where possible, distinction based data is collected although targets are primarily set as pan-northern or pan-Indigenous.
• Initiatives under the program collect information on a distinction basis, such as distinction type, region/geographic considerations, gender of project lead, and if a project is youth-led or has a youth focus.

Northern and Arctic Environmental Sustainability

Program goals: To contribute to a healthy and sustainable environment for the benefit of Indigenous Peoples, Northerners and Canadians by sustainable management, monitoring and assessment of land and resources throughout the North. The program ensures that decision making is fully informed by providing science and policy reports and advice informed by scientific and Indigenous knowledge and meaningful engagement, and by co-developing strategic plans to address environmental concerns and impacts. The program ensures efficient and effective monitoring systems in the North by coordinating, generating and managing scientific and environmental data and by publishing results, reports and data.

GBA Plus data collection plan:The Northern Participant Funding Program includes a GBA Plus performance indicator, tracking how many recipients incorporated GBA Plus into their funded activities and interventions. At this time, CIRNAC has received 16 of 25 activity reports for 2023–24 to which 11 recipients responded with "yes" they did take steps to incorporate GBA Plus in their work (responding to the question is voluntary). The remaining responded with "not applicable" due to the timeline of the funded project. In addition, administrative data can be used to inform impact assessments, however applicants are not requested to confirm their gender identity when applying to the Northern Contaminants Program. This type of quantitative data would demonstrate the level of support for women in science, however there is currently no plan to collect this information.

The Northern Contaminants Program does not currently collect sufficient data to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The program is proposal-based, open to all gender and diversity groups, and does not screen applicants by gender or diversity. The program impacts all northerners who include traditional/country foods in their diet. In addition, the program does have the ability to report on gender and diversity of its committee members (i.e., Management Committee, Regional Contaminants Committees, proposal review teams). The program's Management Committee will consider, in its spring meeting (April 2025), potential methods to collect sufficient GBA Plus data in the Call for Proposals for 2026.

Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships

Program goals: This program strengthens northern communities and people by: devolving responsibilities for lands and natural resources to territorial governments; fostering effective intergovernmental relations with territorial and Inuit governments; collaborating with Inuit organizations and providing support to Territorial Commissioners, providing grants for hospital and physician services in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Canadians and Northerners will benefit from territorial governments ultimately having more control over their own affairs.

GBA Plus data collection plan:

Nunavut Devolution: This element of the program focuses on implementation of the Nunavut Devolution Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, and uses sufficient data to monitor program impacts by gender and diversity. A key aspect is the implementation of the Transitional Human Resources Development Strategy, co-developed by the parties to the agreement.

GBA Plus found that the primary demographic group to benefit from devolution will be residents of Nunavut, primarily Inuit of working age, who are underrepresented in the federal and territorial government workforces. These are individuals with strong ties to the land and resources that the Government of Nunavut will be responsible for managing after devolution, and are therefore the individuals who will be sought out for training, development, and recruitment as the Transitional Human Resource Development Strategy is implemented. Devolution-related responsibilities will see the need for occupations in management, science (physical and earth sciences/geosciences, environmental sciences), project management, policy and planning, and regulatory administration. The GBA Plus identified barriers for both Inuit men and women in these roles. However, the Strategy aims to reduce these through Nunavut-based programing, training and accredited learning opportunities, on-the-job training, learner supports and program promotion and outreach. Implementation of the Strategy will include ongoing monitoring by the parties and/or reporting of program impacts in terms of diversity and gender.

Post secondary education initiatives: To assess its progress on gender-based issues for the PSE initiatives, CIRNAC relies on data available through its partners such as territorial governments and post-secondary institutions in the North and the Arctic supported by the post-secondary education program. Annual reports are collected from institutions such as the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning. The department utilizes gender and regional aggregated data provided by these partners to assess the inclusivity of the institutions and their programs, including the percentage of Indigenous staff and students, percentage of Indigenous graduates from the programs, support for diversity of gender expression and sexual orientation. Dechinta has been strong supporters of equitable and inclusive programs, so data around the continuation of that support and further development and implementation will be collected. Additionally, CIRNAC accesses available data from Statistics Canada, including census data aggregated by region, gender, and Indigenous identity. Currently, the department aggregates these data sources to support GBA Plus results. It also continues to explore options for integrating GBA Plus into reporting requirements for future funding recipients, where feasible.

Northern Contaminated Sites

Program goals: The Northern Contaminated Sites Program (NCSP) addresses risks to the environment and human health and safety posed by legacy mining, petroleum, and government military activities dating back over half a century. These activities have resulted in 165 active contaminated sites in the 3 territories, impacting the fragile northern environment and local communities. The program's responsibilities include site assessments, care and maintenance, remediation, and monitoring activities aimed at reducing federal environmental liabilities. Concurrently, the NCSP promotes new socio-economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and Northerners through its contaminated sites projects.

Indigenous and northern communities benefit from enhanced access to employment and business opportunities generated by the program, fostering long-term partnerships and capacity building. The NCSP also collects training and employment data, including statistics on northern and Indigenous workforce participation, and adheres to the Treasury Board Secretariat's Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices. Additionally, the program collects gender-disaggregated data to complete, implement, and monitor GBA Plus considerations.

GBA Plus data collection plan: CIRNAC is responsive to diverse Indigenous Peoples and Northerners by understanding the direct and indirect impacts contaminated sites in the North have on these individuals and ensuring that the remediation of contaminated sites is done in a way that provides socio-economic benefits to affected groups. The department measures the percentage of training hours and person-hours received by Northerners, Indigenous Peoples, women, and Indigenous women, as well as the percentage of expenditures paid through contracts awarded to Indigenous and northern businesses, while working to ensure that these groups benefit most from remediation activities. In addition, all Northern Contaminated Sites Projects are part of the Government-wide procurement directive that has set a minimum of 5% of the value of procurement being awarded to Indigenous businesses; a target that CIRNAC not only achieved but strives to exceed.

Northern Regulatory and Legislative Framework

Program Goals: The objective of the program is to support the management, sustainable development and regulatory oversight of the land, water, natural resources, and environment of the North, delivering on the department's role as the Government of Canada's natural resource manager in Nunavut and the northern offshore, and its post-devolution responsibilities in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Northern regulatory processes are rooted in modern treaties, with the program actively supporting Indigenous knowledge and participation in decision making. Specific responsibilities include:

• managing oil and gas resource development
• supporting the sustainable management of active mineral exploration and development in the remaining department-managed land and water areas in the North
• supporting efficient and effective legislative and regulatory environments that respect and reflect modern treaties
• managing scientific and environmental data and by publishing results, reports and data

GBA Plus data collection plan: Funding agreements under the Legislative Framework program have recently incorporated an optional GBA Plus question that will be used to track how many recipients incorporated GBA Plus into their funded activities and interventions.

The Regulatory Dialogue, under the Northern Regulatory Initiative, multi-party discussions often involve the identification of regulatory challenges and priorities, along with discussions on how best to address those priorities. CIRNAC will start to track themes associated with GBA Plus in 2025-26 and will report on how those themes or priorities were (or plan to be) actioned. For example, including Youth and Elders in regulatory discussions or outreach and education initiatives may be raised at upcoming Regulatory Dialogue sessions, and may form part of the actions co-developed with partners.

Northern Strategic and Science Policy

Program goals:The objectives of the program are to ensure that Canadians benefit from well-informed northern policy and to position Canada as a leader in integrated policy development. The focus is on supporting Canada's Arctic and northern organizations, individuals, communities, and governments in achieving a strong, inclusive, vibrant, prosperous, and self-sufficient North, as outlined in Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF). This involves coordinating federal efforts, providing scientific leadership, and effectively delivering federal programs, alongside fostering strong relationships with Indigenous and territorial partners.

GBA Plus data collection plan: To assess its progress on gender-based issues for the Post-Secondary Education initiatives, CIRNAC relies on data available through its partners such as territorial governments and post-secondary institutions in the North and the Arctic supported by the post-secondary education program. Annual reports are collected from institutions such as the Government of the Northwest Territories as related to the transition of Aurora College, and Yukon University. The department utilizes gender and regional aggregated data provided by these partners to assess the inclusivity of the institutions and their programs, including the percentage of Indigenous staff and students, percentage of Indigenous graduates from the programs, support for diversity of gender expression and sexual orientation. Aurora College and Yukon University have been strong supporters of equitable and inclusive programs. Additionally, CIRNAC accesses available data from Statistics Canada, including census data aggregated by region, gender, and Indigenous identity. Currently, The department aggregates these data sources to support GBA Plus results. CIRNAC also continues to explore options for integrating GBA Plus into reporting requirements for future funding recipients, where feasible.

Nutrition North

Program goals: The goal of the program is to improve the accessibility and affordability of market and traditional foods to individuals living in northern isolated communities. Given women's roles as caregivers and their direct involvement in food preparation and caregiving activities within households, the retail food subsidy, which reduces food prices, directly benefits women and other vulnerable groups that may be under their responsibility, such as children and Elders. While the retail subsidy applies broadly, the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs fund specifically target the most vulnerable groups, ensuring the equitable distribution of food among women, Elders and children. This is achieved by increasing access to country food through funding support for traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing activities.

GBA Plus data collection plan: In 2023–24 Nutrition North (NN) hosted regular engagement sessions with the NN Advisory Board, Indigenous Working Group, and Inuit Crown Food Security working group. These co-development sessions support and strengthen the delivery of its programming including through culturally-appropriate, locally-led solutions, that supports the most vulnerable and food insecure. This work centers on women's participation to amplify their role as keepers of communities and traditions.

CIRNAC receives recipient progress reports on harvesting and food sharing activities that are directly supported by the Harvesters Support Grant. These reports provide a qualitative lens as to how Grant initiatives are benefitting vulnerable groups, such as women and Elders. The program continues to consult with Indigenous partners to gain a more nuanced approach to the lived experiences of women and other vulnerable groups in eligible communities.

In 2023–24, NNC partnered with a network of food banks and Indigenous organizations to expand food distribution networks in eligible communities and extend the subsidy to additional food banks. 4 food banks are currently registered with the program with 6 more being onboarded, while the program is continuing to seek partnerships with food banks and Indigenous organizations. In December 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Tribal Councils (Wiiche'iwaymagon), food banks and charities, and Arctic Gateway, whose initiative is intended to expand to eventually support over 100 communities in northern Manitoba, Ontario, and Nunavut. The inclusion of food banks in the subsidy program is already having an impact in several communities, benefitting vulnerable groups, such as women, children, young and/or lone parents, people with disabilities, Elders and others.

In 2022, the department launched the Food Security Research Grant. In 2023–24, a total of 5 Indigenous-led research projects were funded to identify options to further improve the program's operations, transparency, and accountability; 3 recipients met with the Minister to discuss options for improving the subsidy and their progress thus far. All recipients have demonstrated the incorporation of a GBA Plus lens in their research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and dissemination of findings. Phase 1 of the grant is complete and the program is awaiting the reception of the final Reporting and Subsidy Recommendations from the 5 funded projects. These reports will provide a more complete picture of who is accessing the subsidy and to what extent it is improving food security, especially among the most vulnerable, in the communities included in the projects. A call-out for proposals for Phase 2 of the Food Security Research Grant has begun in 2024–25.

In 2024, the department launched an evaluation of the program to inform program improvements, these results are expected in 2025-26. CIRNAC will continue working with its partners and seek feedback from Northerners to continuously improve the program and make it work better for the people it serves, supporting women, children, young and/or lone parents, people with disabilities, Elders and others who are most vulnerable to food insecurity.