The Enhancing National Sector Gender-Based Analysis Plus Capacity project brought together umbrella organizations from across Canada to identify and remedy issues related to equity and inclusiveness.
We can create a society that genuinely values and welcomes newcomers in Canada by addressing systemic inequities and promoting equity through an intersectional lens. That’s what this project is about! The Enhancing National Sector Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) Plus Capacity project brings together 7 umbrella organizations nationwide. Through a Collective Impact model, they are enhancing the settlement and integration sector’s capacity to integrate GBA Plus into programs, policies, and procedures.
Objective
This project aims to assess the status and capacity of Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) across Canada to better serve the needs and priorities of diverse newcomer populations. We want to ensure that every newcomer feels at home and supported in their new environment.
Partners
The partner organizations committed to this project are well-placed within Canada’s settlement and integration sector to lead initiatives contributing to longer-term systemic change.
• Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) (project lead)
• Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA)
• Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA)
• Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO)
• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
• Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA)
• Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA)
Key Components of the Project
Based on the identification of key assets, gaps, and opportunities, the national project team is testing and refining an approach to mainstream GBA Plus across the sector. Project activities include:
- Developing settlement sector-specific gender equality and GBA Plus mainstreaming research.
- Creating and piloting bilingual sector guidance on mainstreaming GBA Plus tailored to the settlement and integration sector.
This initiative marks a pivotal step in integrating the GBA Plus framework amongst the participating umbrella organizations and within organizations across the Canadian settlement and integration sector.
Project Timeline
July 2023 to November 2024
Enhancing National Sector Gender-Based Analysis Plus Capacity Project
Leadership: AAISA & AMSSA
National Bilingual GBA Plus Resource Guide
Regional Pilot Partnerships
As part of the national project, ARAISA partnered with two SPOs in the Atlantic region to test and offer feedback on GBA Plus tools and resources developed by the national team. ARAISA partnered with the Saint John Newcomers Centre in Saint John, New Brunswick, and the Association for New Canadians in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In addition to piloting and testing tools and resources, each SPO also undertook initiatives within their respective organizations to enhance their GBA Plus capacity.
Additional GBA Plus Resources
Training
Women and Gender Equality Canada – GBA Plus Course
Canada Research Chairs. Unconscious bias training module
Women and Gender Equality Canada GBA Plus Micro-Learning Videos
Canada School of Public Service GBA Plus Micro-Learning Videos
Government of Canada Reports and Additional Frameworks related to GBA Plus
Women and Gender Equality Canada Action Plan on Gender-based Analysis (2016 – 2020)
IRCC Departmental Plan (2022-23) Gender-based Analysis Plus
Canadian Gender Budgeting Act (2018)
Statistics Canada Pages related to GBA Plus
Immigration and ethnocultural diversity statistics
Intersectional Gender-Based Wage Gap in Canada Report
Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Statistics Hub
Intersectionality, Anti-Oppression, and Anti-Racism Resources
Kimberlé Crenshaw, “The urgency of intersectionality,” TEDTalks (October 2016)
OCASI Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Policy Kit
National Gender-based Violence Settlement Strategy Project
National SOGIESC Guideline Project
OCASI Positive Spaces Initiative
GBA Plus Related Tools
Building a GBA Plus Inclusive Event
Intersectionality Audit Tool – AAISA
ARAISA GBA Plus Webinar Series
November 29, 2023
Integrating Gender-based Analysis (GBA) Plus into your Organization
This webinar provides an overview of GBA Plus and briefly discusses the national settlement sector Enhancing GBA Plus Capacity project. The session shows how GBA Plus can be meaningfully integrated into organizations’ policies and practices to ensure that the services and programming they provide to newcomers are equitable and inclusive. In addition to providing foundational knowledge of GBA Plus, this webinar provides guidance on developing an organizational EDI policy.
December 12, 2023
Integrating Gender-based Analysis Plus into your Funding Applications
Building on the first webinar, this session explores the importance of using a GBA Plus lens during the funding proposal submission process. It allows you to consider how you might incorporate an intersectional lens into your proposals for the 2024 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada call for proposals to ensure that the clients’ diverse needs are fully accounted for.
Want to learn more about ARAISA’s involvement in the project?
Contact Stephanie Redden, the Atlantic Region GBA Plus Project Lead at sredden@araisa.ca