2022–23 Departmental Results Report: Gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus)

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

Governance

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has a GBA Plus Framework to coordinate related work and to operationalize commitments to the Health Portfolio and the Department for Women and Gender Equality, and within CIHR’s Strategic Plan 2021–2031. The CIHR GBA Plus Responsibility Centre leads, enhances, supports, and monitors implementation of CIHR’s GBA Plus Framework and the actual practice of GBA Plus. It is comprised of the GBA Plus Focal Point and staff of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team within the Science Policy Branch. In 2021–22, CIHR implemented a new EDI governance structure comprised of two internal EDI advisory groups, including:

1. EDI in the Research Ecosystem Action Committee: This committee is focused on enhancing EDI in CIHR’s funding system and funded research, and is co-chaired by CIHR’s Vice-President, Learning Health Systems and CIHR’s Scientific Director of the Institute of Infection and Immunity. The co-chairs of this committee serve as CIHR’s EDI Champions with respect to GBA Plus/EDI in CIHR’s funding system and funded research. Starting in 2022–23, an EDI implementation network, with representation from across CIHR, will provide support at the working level.
2. Employee EDI Committee: This committee is focused on enhancing EDI in CIHR’s workplace and is co-chaired by CIHR’s Corporate EDI Champion (currently CIHR’s Chief Financial Officer) and an employee.

CIHR has also established two time-limited external EDI advisory groups:

1. External Anti-racism Advisory Committee: This committee provides guidance on CIHR’s approach to engaging communities marginalized by racism and on the development of CIHR’s actions and action plan relating to anti-racism.
2. External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism: This committee provides guidance on identification of barriers to accessibility within the health research funding system and the development of a CIHR accessibility action plan that aligns with the Accessible Canada Act.

Also, in 2022–23, CIHR established an Equity Strategy Branch dedicated to strengthening EDI and application of GBA Plus in CIHR’s funding system and funded research. The branch will help position CIHR to successfully address its GBA Plus and EDI commitments.

The CIHR GBA Plus Responsibility Centre leads, enhances, supports, and monitors implementation of CIHR’s GBA Plus Framework and the actual practice of GBA Plus. It is comprised of the GBA Plus Focal Point and staff of the EDI Policy Team within the Equity Strategy Branch, as well as CIHR’s GBA Plus Champion, currently the Vice-President, Research – Learning Health Systems. In addition, CIHR has a Corporate EDI Champion responsible for advancing EDI across the organization, and a Scientific Director EDI Champion who advises on the advancement of EDI in CIHR’s funding system and funded research.

Strategic guidance on GBA Plus/EDI-related matters is also provided by CIHR’s Science Council, while operational guidance and decision-making is provided by senior management. CIHR’s Governing Council is responsible for developing and approving CIHR’s strategic directions and applies an EDI lens to all deliberations.

CIHR continues to work with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to implement the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan. Work is governed through an Interagency Committee on EDI and implemented by an Interagency EDI Policy Working Group.

Capacity

The GBA Plus Framework seeks to build GBA Plus organizational capacity and sustain the practice of GBA Plus through three streams:

• GBA Plus in CIHR-Funded Research: Aims to ensure that GBA Plus is considered in research design, methods, analysis, and interpretation and/or dissemination of findings.
  • Operationalized through the CIHR Sex and Gender-Based Analysis in Research Action Plan and the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health Strategic Plan.
• GBA Plus in CIHR’s Funding System: Aims to ensure equitable access to CIHR funds across eligible individuals.
  • Operationalized through a Gender Equity Framework, Official Languages and Minority Communities Action Plan, and the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan.
• GBA Plus in CIHR’s Workplace: Aims to ensure CIHR conducts its business in an equitable manner.
  • Operationalized through federal legislation (such as the Employment Equity Act, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the Official Languages Act, the Accessible Canada Act), policies (Harassment in the Workplace Policy), and mandatory GBA Plus and EDI-related training commitments for employees and Governing Council members.

In alignment with the Accessibility Strategy for the Public Service of Canada and the Clerk of the Privy Council’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, CIHR published the CIHR Accessibility Plan 2023–2026 which aims to proactively identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in the workplace. This Plan also reaffirms priorities in the CIHR Strategic Plan 2021–2031, and compliments the work being engaged in the development of the Accessibility and Systemic Ableism Action Plan within the health research system.

All CIHR staff and members of CIHR’s Governing Council are required to complete the Department of Women and Gender Equality GBA Plus training module, and mandatory GBA Plus and EDI training commitments implemented each fiscal year. Training commitments are documented in each employee’s performance agreement and completion is tracked at year-end.

In May 2022, CIHR launched an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Anti-racism (IDEAA) Learning Series for CIHR staff. Four learning events were held on IDEAA topics relevant to the health research funding system and the workplace. CIHR plans to continue the IDEAA series in the 2023–24 fiscal year.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Core Responsibility: Funding Health Research and Training

Program Name: Investigator Initiated Research

Program Goals: This program provides funding to conduct research in areas related to health aimed at the discovery and application of knowledge. Funding is provided to researchers and academic organizations to conduct research, translate knowledge, and build capacity through research training and salaries. CIHR’s Investigator Initiated Program collects sufficient data to enable the monitoring and/reporting of program impacts across different identity dimensions.

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes: No particular group is negatively or positively affected.

Key Program impacts^{Footnote *} on Gender and diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics: In 2022–23, 83.1% of CIHR-funded research in the Investigator-Initiated Research Program integrated sex and gender considerations, exceeding the target of 58%.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

To monitor GBA Plus in its funding system, CIHR tracks diversity in applicants for and recipients of CIHR funding across all its programs through the Tri-Agency Self-Identification Questionnaire. The questionnaire collects information from applicants to all CIHR programs to enable CIHR to identify, understand and address diversity and potential inequities within its funding system. Aggregate results are reported internally, in the Program Information Profiles (PIPs), and externally in the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) annual report and in four related indicators in the Departmental Results Framework.

In June 2022, CIHR launched an expanded version of the Tri-Agency Self-Identification Questionnaire to collect applicant data across eight identity dimensions, including age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, population group, language, and identity as Indigenous or a visible minority. In September 2022, data collection was expanded to peer reviewers. This new information will help CIHR better understand where systemic barriers exist, and to design equitable and inclusive programs that support the full and fair participation of all members of the health research community.

Core Responsibility: Funding Health Research and Training

Program Name: Research in Priority Areas

Program Goals: This program provides funding for targeted grants and awards aimed at addressing priority areas identified by CIHR in consultation with other government departments and agencies, partners, and stakeholders. CIHR’s Research in Priority Areas Program collects sufficient data to enable the monitoring and/reporting of program impacts across different identity dimensions.

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes: No particular group is negatively or positively affected.

Key Program impacts on Gender^{Footnote *} and diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics: In 2022–23, 74.9% of CIHR-funded research in the Research in Priority Areas Program integrated sex and gender considerations, exceeding the target of 54%.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

Please see description above in Investigator-Initiated research. CIHR monitors and reports on the performance indicator "number and diversity of researchers and trainees supported" across all CIHR's programs. Aggregate results are reported internally, in the PIPs and externally through the CRCC annual report and in four related indicators in the Departmental Results Framework.

Core Responsibility: Funding Health Research and Training

Program Name: Training and Career Support

Program Goals: This program provides award funding directly to promising current and next generation researchers to support training or career development. CIHR’s Training and Career Support Program collects sufficient data to enable the monitoring and/reporting of program impacts across different identity dimensions.

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes: No particular group is negatively or positively affected.

Key Program impacts^{Footnote *} on Gender and diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics: In 2022–23, 86.2% of CIHR-funded research in the Training and Career Support Program integrated sex and gender considerations, exceeding the target of 63%.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

Please see description above in Investigator-Initiated research. CIHR monitors and reports on the performance indicator "number of and diversity of researchers and trainees supported" across all CIHR's programs. Aggregate results are reported internally, in the PIPs and externally through the CRCC annual report and in four related indicators in the Departmental Results Framework.

Definitions

Target Population

• See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the User Instructions for the GBA Plus Departmental Summary)

Gender Scale

• First group: Predominantly men (e.g. 80 per cent or more men)
• Second group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent men
• Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
• Forth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
• Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g. 80 per cent or more women)

Income Level Scale

• First group: Strongly benefits low income individuals (Strongly progressive)
• Second group: Somewhat benefits low income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
• Third group: No significant distributional impacts
• Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
• Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)

Age Group Scale

• First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
• Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
• Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation

Date modified:

2023-11-09