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Status of Women Canada - Report
Minister's Message
I am pleased to present the 2014-2015 Report on Plans and Priorities of Status of Women Canada, outlining the agency's key commitments for the fiscal year.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring steady progress to achieving equality between women and men. To fulfill this commitment, Status of Women Canada plays a vital role, focusing its efforts on what matters most to Canadians: ending violence against women and girls; creating conditions for women to contribute to and benefit from Canada's economic growth; and empowering women to assume leadership and decision-making roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Since 2007-2008, the Government, through the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada, has provided funding of over $139 million for community-based initiatives across the country to help advance equality between women and men in Canada. In 2014-2015, the agency will provide funding of over $19 million to support projects to empower women to become active players in all aspects of Canadian society.
Economic security is a fundamental component of equality and there will be continuing focus on increasing women's participation in entrepreneurship, skilled trades and technical professions. By investing in innovative projects, exchanging knowledge and working with partners, the agency will explore and support strategies to address barriers in these sectors and encourage women's participation in them.
The agency will continue to advance work and engage leaders from the private and public sectors to promote the participation of women on corporate boards in line with our Government's Economic Action Plan 2012 commitment.
Achieving gender equality is a shared responsibility of Canadians - women and men, girls and boys, families and neighbourhoods, communities and schools, all levels of government and private and voluntary sectors. The Government of Canada will continue to engage Canadians to work towards the achievement of equality between women and men across Canada.
The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Section I: Organizational Expenditure Overview
Organizational Profile
Minister: The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Deputy Head: Suzanne Clément, Coordinator/Head of Agency
Ministerial Portfolio: Economic and Social Development Canada
Year Established: 1976
Main Legislative Authorities: Order in Council (1976-779)
Organizational Context
Raison d'être
The Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women, known as Status of Women Canada (SWC), is a federal government agency that promotes equality between women and men in all aspects of Canadian life. The mandate of SWC is "to coordinate policy with respect to the status of women and administer related programs" (1976).
SWC is responsible for exercising leadership and working in partnership to promote and advance equality by: supporting community-based action and innovation that will lead to equality by helping to create conditions for success for women and girls in Canada; providing expert advice on gender equality and Gender-based Analysis+ in the development of effective programs, policies and legislation for all Canadians; promoting commemorative dates relating to women and girls in Canada; and supporting Canada's efforts to meet international obligations.
SWC works to promote and advance equality for women and girls, focusing its efforts in three areas: improving women's and girls' economic security and prosperity; ending violence against women and girls; and supporting the advancement and increased representation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles. While SWC focuses on these three areas, the agency is able to address specific issues, such as engaging men and boys in ending violence, increasing women's participation in skilled trades and technical professions or assisting women in rural and remote communities.
Responsibilities
SWC is the primary federal agency responsible for supporting the government's agenda to advance equality for women and girls. In fulfilling its mandate, the agency works with a wide range of organizations by building synergies with key stakeholders, collaborating with different levels of government and engaging the private and voluntary sectors.
SWC functions in a complex environment where issues affecting women and girls permeate society. To bring about concrete results and enduring benefits for Canadians, the agency carries out its mandate strategically, working in partnerships, and ensuring its policy intervention and program investments are aligned with Government of Canada priorities.
In its policy function, SWC plays the role of a knowledge broker and facilitator, offering advice and strategic support, conducting policy analysis, providing input and making strategic interventions at both domestic and international levels.
SWC leads in building capacity across government for the integration of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+), an analytical approach used to assess the potential impacts of policies, programs or legislation on diverse groups of women and men. It can be used by officials to guide the systematic consideration of gender and other identity factors throughout the decision-making process, in order to inform the creation of more responsive initiatives.
Through the Women's Program, SWC provides financial and professional assistance to organizations to carry out projects that work to bring about equality between women and men. SWC supports community-based action and innovation by investing resources where there is a clear potential for making a difference in the lives of women and girls in Canada.
To raise awareness of the key milestones in the history of women, SWC promotes commemorative dates such as: International Women's Day (March 8), Women's History Month (October), the International Day of the Girl (October 11), Persons Day (October 18) and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6).
SWC's regional offices are located in Montréal (serving Quebec), Moncton (serving New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and Edmonton (serving Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Yukon). The National office, also serving Nunavut, and the Ontario regional office are located within the headquarters in the National Capital Region.
Strategic Outcome and Program Alignment Architecture (PAA)
- 1. Strategic Outcome:
Equality between Women and Men is Promoted and Advanced in Canada
- 1.1 Program: Leadership, Expertise and Advice
- 1.2 Program: Advancing Equality for Women
- 1.3 Program: Internal Services
Organizational Priorities
This table lists Status of Women Canada's priorities, indicates the type of each priority, and shows the links of those priorities to the agency's programs. The description for each priority provides justification for the priority and identifies the plans to implement the priority.
Priority | Type | Programs |
---|---|---|
Addressing violence against women and girls | Ongoing | Program 1.1 Program 1.2 |
Description
Why is this a priority?
The government remains committed to addressing violence against women and girls, which continues at high rates, with an enormous cost to our economy. Women are particularly at risk for certain forms of violence; 7 in 10 incidents of self-reported sexual assault are committed against womenFootnote 6.
What are the plans for meeting this priority?
- Provide funding and professional assistance to organizations to support projects that target specific issues such as the causes of violence against women and girls;
- Work with other federal organizations, provincial and territorial governments and civil society to address persistent and emerging issues; and
- Collaborate with key partners to develop and disseminate information on the nature, extent and impacts of violence against women and girls, as well as government actions to address the issue.
Priority | Type | Programs |
---|---|---|
Increasing representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles | Ongoing | Program 1.1 Program 1.2 |
Description
Why is this a priority?
In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government of Canada committed to taking concrete measures to increase women's representation in leadership and decision-making roles by creating the Advisory Council on Women on Boards. Currently, approximately 31% of federal Governor-in-Council appointments are women, placing the Government in a unique position to continue leading by example.
It is recognized that Canadian women are under-represented in leadership and decision-making roles. Although their participation in the workforce has more than doubled to 47% and they earn half of university degrees, women currently hold only 14.5 per cent of board seats in the Financial Post 500 firms, with 40% of those firms having no women directors. Improved gender balance on corporate boards opens organizations to a broader talent pool, which sets the stage for corporate success. With women controlling 80% of consumer spending in Canada, the presence of women in senior corporate roles, whether on boards or in executive positions, makes good business sense by reflecting market realities, appealing to more diverse client groups and informing a wider range of decision-making.
What are the plans for meeting this priority?
- Provide funding and professional assistance to organizations to support projects that encourage the representation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles;
- Advance understanding and improve communication about having more women in leadership and decision-making roles and support the exchange of knowledge with key partners, including provinces and territories, on strategies that will help increase their representation in Canada; and
- Support ministerial leadership and collaboration with the private and public sectors to promote women's participation on corporate boards, as committed to in Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012.
Priority | Type | Program |
---|---|---|
Strengthening implementation of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) | Ongoing | Program 1.1 |
Description
Why is this a priority?
The Government is committed to ensuring that policies, programs and legislation are inclusive and responsive to the realities of diverse groups of women, men, boys and girls in Canada. SWC plays a leadership role in building the capacity of federal organizations to integrate gender and diversity considerations into their decision-making processes.
What are the plans for meeting this priority?
- Lead implementation of the Departmental Action Plan on Gender-based Analysis, supporting federal organizations to meaningfully apply GBA+ to their initiatives; and
- Expand partnerships to promote GBA+ to new federal organizations.
Priority | Type | Programs |
---|---|---|
Promoting economic opportunities for women | New | Program 1.1 Program 1.2 |
Description
Why is this a priority?
The Government remains committed to Canada's economic growth. As skills shortages continue to challenge the Canadian economy, there is a need to promote the recruitment and retention of women to fill existing skills gaps. Women's representation in skilled trades and technical professions continues to grow, yet barriers persist. In 2012, women held just 11.8% of construction jobs, 19% of forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas jobs, and 30.5% of agricultural jobs.
There is a notable disparity in the area of women entrepreneurs. With approximately 13.5% of small and 4% of medium sized businesses being female-owned in Canada, investing in women entrepreneurs and supporting women-owned businesses make good economic sense as they are among the key drivers of Canada's prosperity.
What are the plans for meeting this priority?
- Provide funding and professional assistance to organizations to support projects that work to increase and/or strengthen women's economic prosperity and security; and
- Advance understanding and examine strategies and best practices to address barriers and improve awareness of the benefits of increasing the participation of women in entrepreneurship, skilled trades and technical professions.
Priority | Type | Program |
---|---|---|
Modernizing programs and services for Canadians | Ongoing | Program 1.2 |
Description
Why is this a priority?
Through continuous innovation and transformation, SWC seeks to ensure efficiency, accountability and effective allocation of resources to achieve results.
What are the plans for meeting this priority?
- Continue to enhance the Women's Program management and accountability to achieve better results and greater impact.
Risk Analysis
SWC's outcomes are interdependent on the actions of other stakeholders. Such interdependent relations may present a risk in the achievement of expected results. To mitigate potential risks, SWC has established response strategies that inform and engage citizens, build synergies, facilitate networks, and promote partnerships and collaboration among different players. The agency has also put in place processes and mechanisms to manage risks to its image as a responsive organization.
This table lists Status of Women Canada's two key risks and the agency's response strategies.
Risk | Risk Response Strategy | Link to Strategic Outcome |
---|---|---|
SWC's outcomes are interdependent on the actions of other stakeholders. | SWC
Messaging: The focus of SWC's communication strategy is to build an informed society where citizens are aware that they have a shared responsibility to advance gender equality. Community Action and Engagement: SWC programming is focused on engaging communities through initiatives that facilitate collaboration, networking and partnerships to achieve concrete results that help advance gender equality. Knowledge Sharing: SWC focuses on strategies that complement and leverage collaborative efforts, based on the recognition among key players of their shared responsibility to advance gender equality in their respective spheres of influence. |
Equality between women and men is promoted and advanced in Canada |
Given its broad mandate and the range of demand for its program and policy interventions, SWC may be perceived as not meeting/responding to stakeholder expectations. | Area of Focus: To respond to stakeholder expectations and to bring about meaningful results, SWC has identified three areas of focus that are aligned with government priorities: improving women's and girls' economic security and prosperity, ending violence against women and girls, and supporting the advancement and increased representation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles. Outreach Strategy: SWC's outreach efforts are designed to communicate the agency's strategic direction, areas of focus, current priorities and program guidelines. Decision-Making Processes: To manage the range of demand for its services and interventions, SWC has instituted processes and practices that maximize the efficiency of its programming, policy and communication levers. Strategic Investment/Intervention: SWC employs targeted approaches to maximize the impact of its interventions and investment, building synergies and leveraging partnerships so as to remain a relevant, effective and efficient organization. |
Equality between women and men is promoted and advanced in Canada |
Planned Expenditures
This table summarizes, in dollars, Status of Women Canada's main estimates for 2014-2015 and planned spending for the period 2014-2015 to 2016-2017.
2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
---|---|---|---|
29,607,730 | 29,607,730 | 29,520,397 | 29,520,397 |
This table summarizes, in full-time equivalents, Status of Women Canada's human resources for the period 2014-2015 to 2016-2017.
2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
---|---|---|
96 | 96 | 96 |
This table provides budgetary information, in dollars, for Status of Women Canada's programs and internal services.
Strategic Outcome, Programs and Internal Services |
2011-12 Expend- itures* |
2012-13 Expend- itures* |
2013-14 Forecast Spending |
2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic Outcome 1:
Equality between women and men is promoted and advanced in Canada (2013-14) |
|||||||
1.1 Leadership, expertise and advice |
N/A | N/A | 2,351,934 | 2,136,900 | 2,136,900 | 2,136,900 | 2,136,900 |
1.2 Advancing equality for women |
N/A | N/A | 22,976,840 | 24,267,723 | 24,267,723 | 24,180,390 | 24,180,390 |
Strategic outcome 1 subtotal |
25,328,775 | 26,404,623 | 26,404,623 | 26,317,290 | 26,317,290 | ||
1.3 Internal services subtotal |
N/A | N/A | †5,973,793 | 3,203,107 | 3,203,107 | 3,199,107 | 3,199,107 |
TOTAL | N/A | N/A | 31,302,567 | 29,607,730 | 29,607,730 | 29,516,397 | 29,516,397 |
* Due to changes in SWC's Program Alignment Architecture for 2013-2014 and future years, the breakdown of actual spending by Program for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 is not applicable for this table.
† This number includes a loan of $1.6 million for the agency's national office
relocation to Gatineau as well as permanent funding of $208,500 from Public Works and Government Services Canada
as a result of a reduction in accommodation requirements for
SWC.
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
This table shows Status of Women Canada's strategic outcome and two programs against spending areas (Government Affairs and Economic Affairs), Government of Canada outcomes (a transparent, accountable and responsive federal government and income security and employment for Canadians) and planned spending for 2014-2015.
Strategic Outcome | Program | Spending Area |
Government of Canada Outcome |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Equality between women and men is promoted and advanced in Canada |
1.1 Leadership, expertise and advice |
Government Affairs |
A transparent, accountable and responsive federal government | 2,136,900 |
1.2 Advancing equality for women |
Economic Affairs |
Income security and employment for Canadians | 24,267,723 |
This table aligns Status of Women Canada's planned spending against the two spending areas: Economic Affairs and Government Affairs.
Spending Area | Total Planned Spending |
---|---|
Economic Affairs | 24,267,723 |
Government Affairs | 2,136,900 |
Departmental Spending Trend
Departmental Spending Trend Graph - Total Spending
In 2012-2013, expenditures increased as SWC received $250,000 as part of the Government Advertising Plan for that fiscal year to support an Internet search optimization strategy for a website. SWC is also receiving contribution funding of $250,000 over three years from the Department of Justice Canada, ending in 2014-2015.
Estimates by Vote
For information on SWC's organizational appropriations, please see the 2014-2015 Main Estimates publicationFootnote 8.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
SWC also ensures that its decision-making process includes a consideration of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) goals and targets through the strategic environmental assessment (SEA). An SEA for policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the proposal on the environment, including on the FSDS goals and targets. The results of SEAs are made public when an initiative is announced or approved, demonstrating that environmental factors were integrated into the decision-making process.
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