Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) Plus

On this page

• Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity
• Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program
  • Program: National Security Leadership
  • Program: Critical Infrastructure
  • Program: Cyber Security
  • Program: Crime Prevention
  • Program: Law Enforcement and Policing
  • Program: Serious and Organized Crime
  • Program: Border Policy
  • Program: Indigenous Policing
  • Program: Corrections
  • Program: Emergency Preparedness
  • Program: Emergency Response/Recovery
  • Program: Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

Public Safety Canada (PS) remains committed to ensuring the application of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in the development and implementation of its policies and programs, and management of its operations to inform the Department's work to keep all Canadians safe.

Public Safety Canada's de-centralized governance model for GBA Plus ensures that the responsibility to advance the implementation of GBA Plus – including improving and maintaining GBA Plus capacity and applying GBA Plus considerations to all aspects of the Department's mandate – is shared across the Department:

• The Department's GBA Plus Champion provides senior-level leadership, including promoting GBA Plus and mentoring to the GBA Plus Advisor Network;
• The GBA Plus Center of Expertise builds capacity across the organization through learning events, training and knowledge mobilization;
• The GBA Plus Advisor Network – managed by the departmental GBA Plus Center of Expertise – serves as a learning and information-sharing forum to support GBA Plus Advisors, who are embedded in each Directorate of Public Safety Canada. The GBA Plus Network is a forum for GBA Plus Advisors to ask questions, share tools, resources, best practices and lessons learned, to improve GBA Plus competencies and enhance organizational capacity; and
• Assistant Deputy Ministers are responsible for ensuring GBA Plus is effectively applied to initiatives, and for tracking and reporting on GBA Plus outcomes within their area of responsibility.

Capacity

In 2024-25, Public Safety Canada continued to support capacity-building to strengthen the application and implementation of GBA Plus through the following activities led by the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise:

In November 2024, the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise conducted the first annual departmental GBA Plus Advisor Survey to solicit information regarding their overall experience during the 2023-24 fiscal year. The findings of this survey resulted in the following actions/measures to address key findings:

• GBA Plus Advisor Network meetings increased from quarterly to bi-monthly, with a focus on providing practical advice and showcasing best practice examples to Advisors to support them in carrying out their challenge function role in the context of various processes/products.
• The departmental GBA Plus Guide was disseminated broadly to staff. It supports employees in applying GBA Plus into their daily work and includes description of key GBA Plus principles, how GBA Plus applies to all elements of the policy and program life cycle, and provides practical GBA Plus considerations for key PS business lines/areas of work.
• GBA Plus tools and resources were developed and shared with the Advisors and the rest of the department, including the GBA Plus Advisor Guide, the GBA Plus Considerations for each stage of an initiative's lifecycle, the GBA Plus Quality Assessment Table, etc. to aid with quality GBA Plus application to initiatives, policies and programs.

In December 2024, the Centre of Expertise coordinated Public Safety Canada's response to the 2023-23 GBA Plus Implementation Survey, conducted by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada (the most recently available data at the time of preparation of this report). Key findings include:

• GBA Plus is widely and frequently integrated into the Department's work, supported by a strong coverage of GBA Plus Advisors across all Branches of the department.
• There is a need to increase awareness of the benefits of GBA Plus and how it is applicable in our work beyond Cabinet and Budget proposals.
• A diverse array of data and research sources are generally used to conduct GBA Plus, however, access to quality data has also been noted as a barrier to conducting quality intersectional analysis.

In April 2024, Public Safety Canada launched the updated GBA Plus InfoCentral resource page on the department's internal network to include various new tools and resources to support best practices in conducting GBA Plus, and to support the collection and use of disaggregated data. The launch of the page, including the new tools and resources, were promoted throughout the department by way of the departmental InfoBulletin, the GBA Plus Advisor Network, and other working-level forums.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

Public Safety Canada has the equivalent of 13 full-time equivalents (FTEs) dedicated to the implementation of GBA Plus. This includes: the GBA Champion; the GBA Plus Centre of Expertise (manager, coordinator, support); the GBA Plus Advisor Network (comprised of more than 60 employees, each providing dedicated, but varying, time to GBA Plus functions); and various FTEs supporting research and analytical functions as well as capacity to enhance disaggregated data across the Department.

Section 2: gender and diversity impacts, by program

Program: National Security Leadership

Core responsibility

National Security

Program goals

Under this Program, national security policy, legislation, and programs that contribute to the government's ability to counter current and emerging threats are developed and implemented.

Target population

All people in Canada, particularly those of equity-seeking groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+, racialized communities, those living with a disability, etc.)

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced (2021-22, last results available)

By income level

Third group: no significant distributional impacts (2021-22, last results available)

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors (2021-22, last results available)

Specific demographic group outcomes

N/A

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

A new risk assessment tool to guide the administration of the Passenger Protect Program was developed in 2024-25. This tool helps provide a more structured approach to analysis and assessments conducted under the program.

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

N/A

Program: Critical Infrastructure

Core responsibility

National Security

Program goals

The intent of the Critical Infrastructure (CI) program is to develop and implement policies to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure in Canada, and to coordinate with partners to manage broad-scale resilience efforts. Individual CI programs administered by the Department are not structured to collect GBA Plus data to enable the monitoring and reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity. As these programs are focused on enhancing the resilience of physical and digital CI entities in Canada, they do not capture GBA Plus data.

Target population

Critical infrastructure stakeholders

Distribution of benefits

By gender

N/A

By income level

N/A

By age group

N/A

Specific demographic group outcomes

Not available. CI programs administered by the Department were designed with a focus on enhancing the resilience of physical and digital CI in Canada, they do not capture GBA Plus data.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Critical Infrastructure programs administered by the Critical Infrastructure Directorate (CID) have been designated to strengthen the security and resilience of physical and digital infrastructure in Canada from an all-hazards perspective, and do not collect data to enable the monitoring and reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity.

Key program impact statistics

N/A. CI programs administered by the Department were designed with a focus on enhancing the resilience of physical and digital CI in Canada, they do not currently allow for statistics calculations.

Other key program impacts

N/A. CI programs administered by the Department were designed with a focus on enhancing the resilience of physical and digital CI in Canada, they do not currently allow for statistics calculations.

Supplementary information sources

N/A. CI programs administered by the Department were designed with a focus on enhancing the resilience of physical and digital CI in Canada, they do not currently allow for statistics calculations.

GBA Plus data collection plan

CID work to engage with stakeholders with the objective to developing a new, modernized approach to CI in order to enhance the resiliency of Canada's CI remains ongoing. The development and implementation of a GBA Plus Data Collection Plan will be evaluated as the new approach is developed.

Program: Cyber Security

Core responsibility

National Security

Program goals^{Footnote 1}

In December 2024, the Government's announced its intent to fund the establishment of the Cyber Attribution Data Centre (CADC) at the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC). The CADC will gather data from a variety of sources and use the latest cyber attribution intelligence analytics to identify malicious cyber actors. The CADC will also train and equip the next generation of AI cyber security specialists.

As part of the annual reporting process for the CADC project, the CIC will report on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and has committed in its workplan for 2025-26 to monitor EDI in its hiring processes, including providing unconscious bias awareness training for applicants involved in the selection process.

Through the 2025 National Cyber Security Strategy (NCSS), Public Safety Canada (PS) aims to enhance Canada's ability to respond to current and emerging cyber security threats. As part of the strategy, PS' Cyber Security Cooperation Program (CSCP) aims to contribute to the federal government's leadership role in advancing cyber security in Canada. By enabling close collaboration with other levels of governments, the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, the CSCP's purpose is to commission research and yield comprehensive results which help position domestic governments, businesses, and citizens to better anticipate trends, adapt to a changing environment, and remain on the leading edge of innovation in cyber security. In 2024-25, PS began preparation for the re-launch of the of the CSCP under the new strategy. In evaluating program funding applications, PS will apply a GBA Plus analysis as one part of the application process.

As part of the NCSS, PS and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security will also establish the Canadian Cyber Defence Collective (CCDC). The CCDC will serve as a national multi-stakeholder engagement body to advance Canada's cyber resilience through direct public-private partnership on national-level cyber security challenges, policy priorities, and defence efforts. The Government of Canada will actively leverage the CCDC to regularly engage stakeholders in the development of action plans to ensure the most current insights and experiences are informing future policy and program action. The CCDC will endeavour to incorporate GBA Plus analysis in its deliverables, consultations, and plans.

Target population

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations;
• Canadian academic and research institutions;
• Provincial, territorial and local governments and authorities;
• Canadian individual researchers and professionals; and
• Canadian for-profit organizations.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

While the CCSP will not favor projects based on the gender of applicants, the application process will grant extra "points" to projects that include a GBA Plus element. By funding projects that create a safer online ecosystem, the CSCP will also benefit women and girls, who are often disproportionately targeted and victimized by online crimes.

Similarly, gender will not be a deciding factor in the formation of the CCDC, but an effort will be made to consider diverse voices and to include GBA Plus analysis in all products and resources created by the CCDC.

Given that the CADC has committed to monitoring equity, diversity, and inclusion in its hiring processes, it is expected that the funding of the CADC will provide job opportunities for women in a sector that is traditionally male-dominated.

By income level

N/A. The CSCP, CCDC, and CADC do not favor projects based on income or monetary amounts.

By age group

N/A. The CSCP does not favor projects based on the age of applicants.

Specific demographic group outcomes

Groups that may have benefited directly:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations;
• Canadian academic and research institutions;
• Provincial, territorial and local governments and authorities;
• Canadian individual researchers and professionals; and
• Canadian for-profit organizations;

Groups that may have benefited indirectly:

• Students;
• Federal Government;
• Think Tanks; and
• Individual Canadian Citizens

Expected benefits experienced by groups:

• Promote cyber security research and innovation;
• Advance knowledge of cybersecurity best practices among government, businesses, academia, and the general public;
• Protect critical infrastructure;
• Defend against cybercriminals;
• Promote resiliency;
• Protect sensitive information; and
• Support academic institutions

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The CSCP, CADC, and CCDC, once established, will contribute to a safer digital future for all Canadians. By incorporating a GBA Plus lens, the programs will ensure equitability in their operation and contribute to a cyberspace is safe, open and secure for all Canadians.

Key program impact statistics

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

For further information regarding the CCDC and CSCP, please consult the 2025 National Cyber Security Strategy.

GBA Plus data collection plan

PS will continue to coordinate with Statistics Canada on the Canadian Survey of Cyber Security and Cybercrime, published every other year. The survey gives public and private institutions across the country key insights into the cyber security and cybercrime environment. This includes gender disaggregated data on employment in the cyber security field, as well as the impact of cybercrime on Indigenous and visible minority communities. In 2024-25, PS and Statistics Canada collaborated to enhance the survey's ability to generate actionable data. This will help shed light on equitable hiring in cyber security and could inform policies that address gender disparities in cybercrime victimization.

Program: Crime Prevention

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

Through the Crime Prevention program, Public Safety Canada works with stakeholders to prevent and reduce crime in populations and communities most at risk and to build resilience in the face of threats to safety and well-being. Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, Public Safety Canada supports the implementation and evaluation of local, targeted crime prevention initiatives with the objective of developing and sharing knowledge of what works to prevent and reduce crime among at-risk populations and vulnerable communities. GBA Plus analysis is used to help inform funding priorities and application assessment by identifying key at-risk populations and communities.

Target population

As part of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS), Public Safety Canada (PS) provides funding toward preventing and reducing crime in Canada and increasing knowledge of what works through four separate funds, each focusing on the following identified priority populations:

• Crime Prevention Action Fund: Vulnerable groups of the population, particularly children and youth from 6-30 years, and high-risk offenders.
• Youth Gang Prevention Fund: At-risk youth from 12-30 years.
• Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund: Indigenous children and youth populations / Indigenous communities both on and off-reserve and in the North.
• Security Infrastructure Program (replaced by the Canada Community Security Program in October 2024): Communities at risk of hate-motivated crime.

Distribution of benefits

Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF)

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced. The CPAF provides funding to initiatives working with girls and young women, as well as boys and young men. For 2024-25, at least 11,084 individuals were reported to have participated in CPAF funded projects.

Research continues to show that the risk factors and types of criminal involvement vary significantly by gender. CPAF commitment to gender0-responsive programming ensures that initiatives are tailored to the distinct need of each demographic. Furthermore, while concrete data is lacking for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth involvement in the Canadian criminal justice system (CJS), early research indicates that this population is at a heightened risk of encountering the CJS due to risk factors related to homelessness and family violence. To continue with this, the 2021 call for application invited applicants to propose initiatives that include gender-responsive components within their projects, meaning that the initiatives proposed should consider the gender of the demographic being served, and tailor the programming to the specific needs of that sub-demographic. For 2024-25, eight (22%) CPAF projects targeted their interventions to 2SLGBTQQIA+ participants.

By income level

Not collected

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations. The 2024 CPAF Call for Applications focused on addressing priority crime issues in communities and reducing the harmful factors that lead youth from priority populations, including Indigenous and racialized youth, to get involved in violent criminal activity. In 2024-25, efforts were still being directed toward supporting children, youth and student. 95% of initiatives were focused on these groups, which demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing and empowering younger populations.

Amongst the age groups, those aged 16-17 received the highest level of attention, with 94% of efforts directed their way. The 12-15 and 18-21 age group also benefit from substantial focus, each at 80%. As individual transition into their twenties, the focus remains meaningful, with 63% of efforts still directed toward the 22-25 age group. Even among those aged 26-30, a notable 34% of initiatives continue to provide support.

Overall, the data reflects prioritization in the development and well-being of young people, especially during their formative years, while still maintaining engagement as they grow into adulthood.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

From the 2021 CPAF Call for Applications, a total of 20 projects targeting Black and Indigenous youths were chosen for funding. Among these projects, 8 focused on providing interventions to Black youth, 10 on Indigenous youth, and 2 addressed both Indigenous and Black youth. These projects are implementing multi-sectoral, gender responsive and trauma informed approaches; and have a strong regional distribution (i.e., with 1 project in New Brunswick; 2 projects in Quebec; 5 projects in Ontario; 3 projects in British Columbia; 3 projects in Alberta; 2 projects in Manitoba; 2 projects in Saskatchewan; 1 project in Northwest Territories; and 1 project in Yukon).

Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF)

By gender

N/A. Data cannot be assessed due to the low number of projects reporting.

By income level

Not collected.

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations. YGPF provides time-limited funding for initiatives in communities where youth gangs are an existing or emerging threat impacting youth aged 12-30 years. In 2024-25, 100% of participants in YGPF funded initiatives were between the ages of 12-25 years. In addition, two projects were targeted to ages 12-15.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

In 2024-25, activity reporting from 5 YGPF-funded direct-intervention initiatives indicate that 2 projects targeted Indigenous peoples and 1 project targeted 2SLBTQQIA+ persons.

Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF)

By gender

Not available. Data cannot be assessed due to the low number of projects reporting.

By income level

Not collected. Data cannot be assessed due to the low number of projects reporting.

By age group

Not available. Data cannot be assessed due to the low number of projects reporting.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

For projects that submitted Annual Performance Reports (n=6) in 2024-25, 3 projects focused on children and youth, and 2 projects focused on 2SLGBTQQIA+ populations.

Canada Community Security Program (CCSP)

By gender

Not available. This program funds projects to enhance the security of community gathering spaces for communities at risk of hate-motivated crime (installation of cameras, etc.). Eligible recipients are private not for profit groups at risk of hate-motivated crime.

By income level

Not available. This program funds infrastructure projects (such as the installation of security equipment, hardware, and minor renovations), security and emergency assessments and planning, training to respond to hate-motivated events, and time-limited security personnel. Eligible recipients are private not for profit groups at risk of hate-motivated crime limited to places of worship, private, provincially and territorially recognized educational institutions, community centres, gender-based violence shelters, and community-based facilities such as daycares and office spaces.

By age group

Not available. This program funds infrastructure projects (installation of cameras etc.). Eligible recipients include places of worship, community centres, educational institutions and gender-based violence shelters.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

From 2022 to 2024, in terms of self-identified religious affiliation, funding has been allocated to Jewish (54%), Muslim (14%) and Christian (14%) communities. Funding has also benefited other religious communities including Hindu (8%), Sikh (3%), those ascribing to traditional spirituality (3%,) and no particular religious affiliation (7%). Historically, around 77% of program funding has been allocated to projects in the Jewish (53%) and Muslim (24%) communities.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The NCPS has recognized that the needs of males, females and gender-diverse populations must be taken into account in the development of crime prevention policies and strategies. In Fall 2024, PS launched a call for applications under the YGPF, the CPAF, and the NICPF (583 applications received, demonstrating continued need for investments in crime prevention). The Department is currently in the process of selecting successful projects. Selected projects will specifically target one of the following populations: Indigenous youth; racialized youth; youth at risk of committing violence; or youth who have had repeat contacts with the criminal justice system. It is anticipated that the successful projects will start in 2026-27.

In addition to supporting the implementation of crime prevention interventions, the NCPS also aims to increase the knowledge base of effective crime prevention approaches in Canada. The Crime Prevention Inventory (CPI) is a key tool that helps to advance this goal. The CPI is a searchable database of crime prevention programs that was developed by Public Safety Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories. As of 2023-24, the database holds 220 crime prevention programs, with that number staying consistent in 2024-25. The CPI allows Canadians to search past and present programs based on a combination of filters and search terms including by the gender of project participants or whether the program targets 2SLGBTQIA+ populations. This features allows users to learn about gender-specific and gender-diverse crime prevention programs being used across the country.

Finally, aligned with the Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, in 2024-25, Public Safety Canada continued to support implementation of intervention projects and research focused on cyberbullying prevention. One project implemented through the CPAF was Open New Tab (ONT). This project was led by YWCA Halifax and delivered anti-cyberbullying programming through a gender-informed lens, to diverse youth populations aged 11-14. This project underwent a comprehensive evaluation, yielding important information about anti-cyberbullying programming. For example, qualitative evaluation findings revealed that ONT increased participants' awareness and understanding of cyber-violence and healthy online behaviors. Youth reported adopting safer online practices, supporting peers, and developing stronger coping skills. These outcomes contributed to a more supportive school environment. In addition, a new research report was published in 2023-24 titled "Examining Key Populations in the Context of implementing Cyberbullying Prevention". A second report, "Intervention Initiatives: Literature Review on 2SLGBTQIA+, Girls, and Ethno-racially Diverse Youth," was also published. This second report provides information on recent advances in cyberbullying research, with a specific focus given to gender diverse groups.

Key program impact statistics

Other key program impacts

GBA Plus considerations are central to the work of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). The NCPS draws on statistics and research to inform priority populations and determine the complex mix of factors that may put individuals at risk for future contact with the criminal justice system. An evaluation of the NCPS was completed in 2023-24 and found that the NCPS has been successful at targeting communities and populations with elevated risks. Commitments made in the 2023 NCPS Management Action Plan included the standardization of project data collection tools with a goal to enhance GBA Plus data collection from NCPS funded projects, which in turn would support comprehensive demographic analyses to identify gaps in service/support for underrepresented communities. In 2024-25, these commitments remained ongoing and the next NCPS evaluation will be in 2028.

Supplementary information sources

Evaluation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy

Table 35-10-0006-01 Youth admissions to correctional services, by age and sex

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2023-24, the Annual Performance Reporting (APR) template was standardized for the CPAF, YGPF, and NICPIF. This was done by a working group comprising regional and national Departmental representatives from various teams.

The revised APR includes a GBA Plus section to collect demographic data (e.g., ethno-cultural background, age, disability, region) at the project level, and are aligned with Statistics Canada standards. The template was also simplified for clarity and brevity to improve completion rates and data quality. It aligns with program indicators to support reporting and decision-making.

Launched in 2024, the new APR template is currently in the field collecting data from Public Safety Canada funding recipients. The implementation was deemed successful as it has facilitated our internal and corporate reporting efforts. Additionally, reporting burden on recipients was lessened by the reduced length of the new template.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

The Law Enforcement and Policing Program's mandate fulfills the Minister's legislative responsibilities to initiate, recommend, coordinate, implement and promote policing policies, programs, projects, and specific accountabilities associated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, including the establishment of strategic priorities. Public Safety Canada provides federal leadership, promotes coordination and supports a comprehensive approach to the development of firearms policy, including legislative and regulatory measures, to enhance public safety and address firearms-related violence. GBA Plus analysis is used in the development of policy proposals.

Target population

Firearms Policy: All Canadians, law enforcement, municipalities.

Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) (previously Firearms Buyback Program): All Canadians, firearms owners.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

First group: predominantly men (80% or more men). According to data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) Canadian Firearms Program, males represent the largest demographic with a firearms Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) (86% males versus 14% females; January 2022).

In 2023, males accounted for over 95% of suicides by firearm (Statistics Canada).

Violent crime is often committed by males (89% in 2023; Conroy 2025), and males are more likely to be the victims of firearm-related violent crime (67%) and victims of firearm-related homicides (73% of homicide victims were male in 2023; Statistics Canada, 2025).

In 2023, women represented 84% of victims of violent crime involving firearms committed by a spouse or an intimate partner. One in six (15%) victims of firearms-related violent crime are at the hands of an intimate partner (Statistics Canada, 2025).

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors. Individuals must be 18 or older to obtain a firearms PAL in Canada, of which there are approximately 2.41 million license holders as of December 31, 2024. Minors between the age of 12 and 17 can be eligible for a minor's license with limited privileges. There were 13,505 of these licenses in 2024.

Boys aged 12 to 17 and men aged 18 to 24, each accounted for 21% of all accused persons of violent crimes committed with firearms in 2023. Since 2013, the most significant change in the rate of accused persons of firearm-related violent crime were boys aged 12 to 17, increasing from 66.3 per 100,000 population in 2013 to 126.6 in 2023. Men aged 18 to 24 had the highest rate of victimization (86.4 per 100,000 population), followed by boys aged 12 to 17 (76.7).

By ethnicity

Indigenous Peoples (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals) represented 17% of firearm-related homicide victims in 2022, both among male victims (17%) and female victims (18%). This proportion was much higher for homicides involving a rifle or shotgun (which includes assault-style firearms) (40%) than homicides involving handguns (7.6%). The proportion of Indigenous individuals among all victims of firearm-related homicides (17%) was more than three times higher than their proportion in the Canadian population (5%). As such, the removal of assault-style firearms (ASFs) from Canadian communities may be differentially protective for this cohort.

Sustenance Hunters

Affected firearms owners could also include the 9,062 sustenance hunters who, at the time of applying to the Canada Firearms Program (CFP) for a PAL self-identified as requiring a firearm to hunt or trap to sustain themselves and/or their families. Sustenance hunters also include individuals of Indigenous origin. However, the CFP does not collect data on the number of PAL holders who are Indigenous, including First Nations, Inuit, or Metis, making it difficult to estimate the impact of the May 1, 2020, prohibition on these peoples.

Recognizing that some Indigenous and sustenance hunters could be using previously non-restricted firearms for their hunting and may be unable to replace these firearms immediately, the Amnesty Order permits the use of any of the newly prohibited firearms, if previously non-restricted, to hunt for the purposes of sustenance or to exercise a right recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution. This exception will not be available upon expiry of the Amnesty Order and all individuals benefitting from it will need to dispose of their ASFs. Public Safety Canada continues to engage Indigenous Peoples as the Program is delivered, including through continuous communication regarding participation windows and in Indigenous languages where possible.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

Regulations came into force in 2022-23 to expand license verification and business record-keeping for non-restricted firearms. These measures reduce the risk of non-restricted firearms being transferred to those without a valid license. Suicides by firearm are primarily committed by males, and ensuring only valid license holders can acquire and possess firearms lowers the risk of unlicensed individuals obtaining firearms to commit self-harm or criminal acts.

On May 1, 2020, the Government of Canada banned 1,500 assault-style firearms and variants as part of its comprehensive strategy to tackle gun violence in Canada. In addition, on December 5, 2024, and on March 7, 2025 additional makes and models of ASFs were prohibited (324 and 179 respectively), totaling more than 2,500 makes and models and variants that have been banned. These prohibitions directly impact firearms owners, who are predominantly male, and indirectly impacts all Canadians as the removal of these firearms from Canadian society, upon completion of ASFCP, will help reduce the likelihood of mass shootings.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Implementation of former Bill C-21

Public Safety Canada engaged with Indigenous organizations (including National Indigenous Organizations and self-governing and modern treaty First Nations) and external stakeholders (including firearm control advocates and victim support groups) in support of implementation of the enhanced licence revocation provisions. This engagement helped inform the development of regulatory proposals and implementation planning and outreach. Public Safety Canada considered varying impacts on certain groups, such as disproportionate effects on men, as they are the majority of firearm PAL holders, but also benefits to women, especially rural women, as they are the majority of victims of intimate partner and family violence. The Department also considered impacts on Northern and Indigenous PAL holders who may hunt to sustain themselves or their families and ways to minimize the impact through issuance of a conditional licence. There was also analysis and consideration for the increased benefits for Indigenous women, women with disabilities and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons as they face higher rates of firearm violence and victimization.

Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program

The ASFCP opened to all businesses in late 2024 for firearms prohibited in May 2020. The due date for submissions was April 30, 2025. The Program is anticipated to launch for individual firearms owners in 2025, and thus impacts of the Program will be evident in 2025-26. However, firearms-related initiatives will predominantly impact males due to their higher rates of ownership of firearms and rates of victimization. Other groups who disproportionately tend to experience firearms-related violence such as visible minorities and those with Indigenous identity, are also likely to experience some positive outcomes from initiatives such as the ASFCP.

Key program impact statistics

Other key program impacts

Reporting capacity for this program is limited due to the lack of sufficient individual recipient microdata information regarding program clients for the purpose of undertaking GBA Plus. GBA Plus, including trend analysis (for example, based on gender, sex, and socioeconomic characteristics) and net impact analysis is undertaken through the use of aggregate and disaggregated data collected and provided to Public Safety Canada by other departments and agencies such as the Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Statistics Canada. Work is underway to improve data quality, with an initial focus on governance, including consistency of data collected.

Funding to Enhance Canada's Firearm Control Framework

Activities under the Funding to Enhance Canada's Firearm Control Framework will help support the collection of data to enable better monitoring and/or reporting of program impacts by gender and diversity (i.e. age, gender, geographic location). Public Safety Canada continues to work with partners involved in the collection and analysis of law enforcement data.

For example, work is ongoing with Statistics Canada to ensure consistency and reliability of data collected on firearms across Canada. Statistics Canada carried out a feasibility study in consultation with key stakeholders and identified information that could potentially be collected from police services using the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey. they have since made a number of revisions to the UCR Survey, starting in 2021, and are now working with law enforcement agencies to increase adoption of the newest version of the UCR for reporting metrics. Statistics Canada is also committed to working with the policing community and key organizations to enable police to report statistics on Indigenous and ethno-cultural groups in police-reported crime statistics for victims and accused persons.

Supplementary information sources

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan 2023 to 2028

Shared Priority 65 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan 2023 to 2028

2022 Commissioner of Firearms Report

2024 Commissioner of Firearms Report

Firearms and violent crime in Canada, 2023

Brief: Police-reported statistics on firearm-related crime

GBA Plus data collection plan

No GBA Plus factors are collected as part of the implementation of the Program for firearms businesses and the program for individuals was still under development as of the end of 2024-25.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

The objective of the Serious and Organized Crime program at Public Safety Canada is to enhance the safety and security of Canadians by combating and reducing the impact of serious and organized crime in Canada. The program aims to prevent and disrupt criminal activities carried such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and other illicit activities.

Online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) continues to be a gendered crime, which largely impacts girls as victims for all offence types. According to a March 2024 report released by Statistics Canada, the majority of victims of police-reported online sexual offences against children were girls, particularly girls between the ages of 12 and 17 (71% of all victims). Between 2014 and 2022, most (82%) victims of online luring were youth (aged 12 to 17 years) and, of these, 84% were girls. Boys and men represented the vast majority of accused across all offence types, especially for incidents of invitation to sexual touching (97%), luring a child (96%) and possessing or accessing child pornography (90%). This report continues to help inform our policies and programs in addressing this crime.

Target population

Online child sexual exploitation (OCSE): All Canadians / children and youth under the age of 18

Human Trafficking: All Canadians / at-risk populations.

Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program (BCACP): Law enforcement agencies throughout Canada.

First Nations Organized Crime Initiative (FNOCI): All Canadians with emphasis on Mohawk communities of Akwesasne and Kahnawake.

Distribution of benefits

Online child sexual exploitation

By gender

Fifth group: Online child sexual exploitation is a highly gendered crime, mostly affecting females. According to a Statistics Canada report released on March 12, 2024, between 2014 and 2022, the majority of victims of police-reported online sexual offences against children were girls, particularly girls between the ages of 12 and 17 (71% of all victims). As such, girl receive more benefits than boys, although the gap is growing less significant.

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations, given the target population for the National Strategy for the Protection of Children for Sexual Exploitation on the Internet (NSPCSEI) (i.e., children and youth under 18).

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

The NSPCSEI ultimately aims to protect minors from OCSE and prevent this crime, but also delivers initiatives targeting parents, caregivers, law enforcement and criminal justice professionals. Through the Online Dangers School Roadshow, children and youth directly benefit from the NSPCSEI, as they receive targeted prevention and awareness to better understand the risks and consequences associated by interaction with potential online predators. Law enforcement officers benefit from funding provided to Internet Child Exploitation units to increase the investigative capacity of police services. Adults and caregivers benefit from Public Safety Canada's national awareness campaign to increase their understanding of the risks of OCSE and help them talk to youth about online harms. Criminal justice professionals, along with digital industry and victims support organizations, benefit from Public Safety Canada's annual webinar series and engagement to increase understanding of the scale and scope of the issue and find new ways to combat OCSE.

Human Trafficking

By gender

Fifth group: predominantly women (80% or more women). According to Statistics Canada reports, there were 3,558 detected victims of police-reported human trafficking in Canada between 2013 and 2023. The vast majority (93%) of these victims were women and girls, while a small proportion (7%) were men and boys.

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations. Since 2013, victims were most often aged 18 to 24 (42%), while nearly another quarter (23%) of victims were aged 17 and younger. The remaining victims were aged 25 to 34 (23%), 35 to 44 (7%) and 45 and older (3%). While seven in ten (71%) female victims were aged 24 and younger, male victims were not concentrated in the youngest age groups. Of the relatively small number of men and boys who were identified as victims of human trafficking, the largest proportion were most often aged 25 to 34 (34%), followed by those aged 18 to 24 (22%)

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

The full scope of the crime of human trafficking is unknown due to the under-reported nature of the crime and barriers preventing some victims from reporting to law enforcement. Barriers may include concerns for their safety, fear of deportation, and a distrust of law enforcement. As a result, police-reported and court-related data provide only a partial view of the issue. While formal data is limited, qualitative evidence illustrates that individuals at greatest risk of victimization in Canada are generally those facing socio-economic challenges and marginalization. Those who may experience increased risk include Indigenous women and girls, immigrants and newcomers to Canada, youth in foster care, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.

Those who may experience increased risk, including women, girls and youth, directly benefited from the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, which aims to provide protection, support and prevention measures. Initiatives under the National Strategy include trauma-informed and culturally relevant support services, targeted awareness campaigns to highlight the risks and signs of trafficking.

Additionally, the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking enhances the capacity of law enforcement and front-line staff trough training and resources to better identify, detect, and protect victims and survivors.

First Nations Organized Crime Initiative (FNOCI)

By gender

Third group: broadly gender balanced. FNOCI funds police services in the First Nations communities of Akwesasne and Kahnawake, who report total residential populations of approximately 12,000 and 8,000, respectively. The gender distribution in these communities is assumed to be broadly balanced in the absence of gender data on reserve from Statistics Canada.

By age

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations. Strengthened law enforcement capacity through FNOCI benefits all generations.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

Funding provided through FNOCI helped build law enforcement capacity in Akwesasne and Kahnawake, with some evidence of positive results for youth. For example, in 2023-24, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) funded through FNOCI in Kahnawake presented the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program to approximately 120 students in grade 7,8, and 10 to help build resilience among First Nation youth in the community to live productive and drug and violence-free lives. In partnership with the Kahnawake education system, the PRO also expanded educational visits to include topics like firearm safety, how to report criminal activity to Kahnawake Peacekeepers and careers in policing.^{Footnote 3}

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Organizations funded under the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking delivered projects targeting specific at-risk target groups including clients who identify as youth, women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+, Indigenous, migrants and immigrants. These organizations also submit annual reports containing information about who has been engaged in their projects (results found in the table below); this includes demographic categories of their target population, and ages and gender of project participants where possible.

As of April 2024, there have been over 4,300 project participants in the 15 community-led projects funded through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime (CPCSOC). The majority of participants were female over the age of 25. Participants also included individuals self-identified as transgender non-binary, Indigenous, and experiencing a disability.

Almost all of the projects addressed the need for individualized supports as their client's needs can be diverse and as one project noted, "healing from trauma is non-linear."

For those projects targeted at youth, as of April 2024, there have been over 44,000 individuals reached both in-person and online. The majority of participants were female and under the age of 25. Participants also included individuals self-identified as transgender non-binary, Indigenous, and experiencing a disability.

Combined, the projects numbered over thirty-five services in over twenty categories (including mentoring, life skills training, outreach, employment support, and counselling). Projects also supported other priority areas including early intervention, intervention/reintegration, and capacity building and training for practitioners. Although the nature of the projects were pilot in scope, all of the organizations noted that their projects identified or responded to a current human trafficking issue or programming gap. Many of the projects noted that they are the only ones in their community or Province. Youth feedback indicates appreciation for survivor-led stories and the ability to engage and provide feedback to the material.

Key program impact statistics

Other key program impacts

National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (NSCHT)^{Footnote 4}

The NSCHT supports one pillar of the Gender Results Framework, which is Eliminating Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Access to Justice. Canada's NSCHT is informed by the findings of detailed GBA Plus analysis and qualitative and quantitative information gathered through various methods, including the following:

• National consultations conducted in Fall 2018 and in 2024-25 towards a renewed NSCHT;
• Aggregated data from Statistics Canada reported in annual The Daily and Juristat reports; and
• Performance reporting by external organizations funded under federal grants and contribution programs (reporting will be available following the program's completion in March 2026).

While its primary purpose is to provide referral services to victims and survivors of human trafficking, data collected by the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline provides further insight into human trafficking in Canada. The Hotline utilizes a trauma-informed, person-centered approach and only collects information provided voluntarily by callers. Individual-specific data focuses on information about the signaler (e.g., caller). This includes information on why the person contacted the Hotline (e.g., to obtain a referral) and the 'type' of signaler (e.g., a trafficking victim/survivor, a friend or family member, a social service provider, etc.). Situation-specific data focuses on whether a case can be classified as trafficking. A case refers to a unique situation, event, or series of events, past or present, that triggered contact with the Hotline. For each identified case, data on the form of trafficking (e.g., sex, labour), whether the trafficking is ongoing or occurred in the past, and the demographic characteristics of victims/survivors (e.g., gender, age, immigration status, etc.) is collected. Human Trafficking Trends in Canada (2019-2022) was published in July 2023.

Public Safety Canada continued to require that CPCSOC funding recipients' annual report include GBA Plus-related data collection about the demographic categories of their target population, and ages and gender of project participants where possible. No work was done in 2022-23 to modify these. The Department also worked with partners to gather qualitative information on the performance of the National Strategy, including as it relates to emerging GBA Plus impacts and considerations, throughout its implementation.

National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet

Initiatives under Canada's National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet (NSPCSEI) are informed by the findings of detailed GBA Plus. Public Safety Canada (PS) has actively sought alternate data sources (research, special studies, input from partners) to identify GBA Plus considerations of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), particularly in respect of vulnerable groups and at-risk populations. For example, in 2024-25, PS entered into a working-level agreement with Statistics Canada to develop two Reports, one on Criminal justice outcomes of police-reported pertaining to online child sexual exploitation: incidents in Canada, 2014 to 2021, and the other on online activities of Canadian youth, cybervictimization and exposure to harmful content, both released in 2025. Furthermore, in 2024-25, PS developed the following documents to inform its work: Online Child Sexual Exploitation – Identity Factors, which highlights that girls were 5 times more likely to be victims of the non-consensual distribution of intimate images compared to boys. The report also mentions that international experts note that rates of OCSE victimization are particularly high for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer children, relative to their heterosexual counterparts. The report also highlights that almost one third of Indigenous women experienced unwanted sexual behaviours online, compared to almost one fifth of non-Indigenous women. These findings highlight the highly gendered nature of the crime, while also pointing to intersectional considerations making some groups more vulnerable to the crimes of OCSE.

Supplementary information sources

Trafficking in persons in Canada, 2023

Online child sexual exploitation: A statistical profile of police-reported incidents in Canada, 2014 to 2022

Human Trafficking Trends in Canada (2019-2022)

GBA Plus data collection plan

The Department produced a GBA Plus research report on online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) that examines the demographic characteristics of those who have experienced online child sexual exploitation. The report was reviewed and finalized as of the end of 2024.

Contribution Agreements with Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Units were renewed for all participating provinces for 2024-25. A new section on GBA Plus information was added to contribution agreement proposals and reporting templates. New reporting information will include victims and offenders sociodemographic characteristics such as age and gender.

Program: Border Policy

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

The Border Policy Program provides federal policy coordination and coherence on a variety of border issues, such as customs, immigration, refugees and citizenship, border integrity and cross-border law enforcement.

Target population

All Canadians: While border policies may impact all demographic groups, it may tend to impact more migrants and travelers on border-related issues. Some programs may target some groups more specifically, such as Indigenous peoples in the context of Indigenous border-crossing policy.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced. The Border Policy Program relies on data collected by partners to inform our policies and programs. However, as most of the Program's work is to ensure proper coordination and coherence on border issues, most of the impacts are on departing and returning Canadians, as well as on migrants and tourists of all genders.

By income level

Second group: somewhat benefits low income individuals (somewhat progressive). The Border Policy Program relies on data collected by partners to inform its policies and initiatives. However, most of the impacts of policies and programs impact groups such as asylum seekers, which tend to be lower income individuals, as the majority are from developing countries.

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors. As the Border Policy Program's main objective is about ensuring proper coordination and coherence on border issues, most of the impacts are on departing and returning Canadians, as well as on migrants and tourists of all ages.

Specific demographic group outcomes

N/A

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

N/A

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

The Border Policy Program does not directly collect any data and relies on data collected by Portfolio agencies. However, in 2025-26, the Program will continue to monitor and analyze any qualitative and quantitative data from partners and ensure this information is taken into account throughout the policy development process, as well as in any policy advice provided to senior management.

Program: Indigenous Policing

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

Public Safety Canada's Indigenous policing programs (First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) and First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP)) fund, in collaboration with provinces and territories of jurisdiction, police services and police infrastructure investments that help ensure police services that are professional, dedicated and responsive to First Nations and Inuit communities.

As Public Safety Canada (PS) funds these programs, but does not directly deliver them, the intended benefits of the programs are more broad in nature. Since community-based priorities are determined at the community and service-provider level, PS does not have input into the activities of the police service-provider. PS does continue to apply a GBA Plus lens in its management of the Indigenous policing programs and liaises with other government departments on GBA Plus issues and considerations, noting that Indigenous communities often suffer disproportionately from high crime rates (most notably, Indigenous women and girls).

Target population

First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced. This program is intended to benefit a broadly gender balanced group as it provides policing services to all eligible First Nations and Inuit groups served by FNIPP. The overall goal of the program is to increase policing and community safety in Indigenous communities. However, certain demographics (e.g., women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people) are more often victims of crime, so they will indirectly benefit more than other demographics by seeing a reduction in crime rates.

By income level

First group: strongly benefits low income individuals (strongly progressive). While the FNIPP is intended to benefit recipients of all income levels, according to the 2021 Census of Population, individuals in Indigenous communities were more likely to live in low-income families, with a relatively high proportion of the population in the bottom income decile.

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations. While the FNIPP is intended to benefit recipients of all age groups, according to the 2021 Census, the median age for Canada's Indigenous population is 33.6 years, as opposed to a median age of 41.8 years for non-Indigenous Canadians. The Inuit population is notably younger, with a median age of 28.9 years, followed by First Nations people at 32.5 years, and Métis at 35.9 years, edging closer to the median age of non-Indigenous Canadians.

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

Indigenous Women and Girls

The FNIPP is intended to benefit a broadly gender balanced group as it provide policing services to all eligible First Nations and Inuit groups served by the FNIPP. The overall goal of the program is to increase policing and community safety in Indigenous communities. However, certain demographics (e.g., women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people) are more often victims of crime, so they will indirectly benefit more than other demographics by seeing a reduction in crime rates.

• Indigenous women are physically assaulted, sexually assaulted or robbed almost three times as often as non-Indigenous women. The majority of Indigenous women who are victimized report experiencing multiple episodes of violence, and are between 15 and 34 years of age.
• Despite the fact that Indigenous women make up four percent of Canada's female population, they represent nearly one-quarter (24%) of all homicide victims and are 12 times more likely to be murdered or missing than any other woman in Canada. This disproportion can be explained in part by an elevated risk of partner violence for Indigenous women compared to non-Indigenous women in Canada. There is an overrepresentation of Indigenous women in street prostitution in Western provinces and Quebec.
• Indigenous people were more likely (9%) than non-Indigenous people (4%) to have been a victim of spousal violence. Of these, Indigenous women were three times more likely (10%) to report being a victim of spousal violence than non-Indigenous women (3%), and Indigenous men were twice as likely (8%) as non-Indigenous men (4%). Indigenous victims of non-spousal violence were more likely not to report the crime to police than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
• The overall rate of violent victimization among Indigenous women was double that of Indigenous men; nearly triple that of non-Indigenous women; and more than triple that of non-Indigenous men.

2SLGBTQQIA+

Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA (2SLGBTQQIA+) communities are disproportionately impacted by violence, poverty, homelessness, and mental-health issues. 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals experience intersecting oppression due to multiple non-dominant identity factors such as gender, sexuality, race, status, and geographic isolation. This discrimination is compounded in the lives of 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals when they try to access gender-affirming healthcare, mental health counselling, and anti-violence services.

Age groups

While the FNIPP is intended to benefit recipients of all age groups, according to the 2021 Census, the median age for Canada's Indigenous population is 33.6 years, as opposed to a median age of 41.8 years for non-Indigenous Canadians. The Inuit population is notably younger, with a median age of 28.9 years, followed by First Nations peoples at 32.5, and Métis at 35.9 years, edging closer to the median age of non-Indigenous Canadians.

In 2021, Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 25.4% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 16% of the non-Indigenous population.

Regarding victimization and risk factors:

• In 2022-23, Indigenous youth accounted for 40% of youth admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services.
• In 2021, Indigenous children made up 7.7% of all children under the age of 15 in the general population but accounted for 53.8% of children in foster care.
• Regarding domestic violence, data from the self-reported 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians Safety (Victimization) found that about 4 in 10 Indigenous people experienced sexual or physical violence by an adult before the age of 15. The proportion was about twice as high amongst Indigenous people aged 55 and older (54%) compared to those aged 15 to 34 (26%).

Low Income

While the FNIPP is intended to benefit recipients of all income levels, according to the 2021 Census of Population, individuals in Indigenous communities were more likely to live in low-income families, with a relatively high proportion of the population in the bottom income decile.

According to information from the 2021 Census of Population, individuals in the Indigenous communities in this study were much less likely to have completed high school. In addition, they were less likely to be employed and less likely to participate in the labour force, which may be tied to limited access to work opportunities in more remote communities. In turn, individuals in Indigenous communities were more likely to live in low-income families, with a relatively high proportion of the population in the bottom income decile.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

According to Statistics Canada's report entitled "Criminal victimization of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada, 2018 to 2020" (2022), Indigenous people are overrepresented among victims of violence in Canada, including a higher victimization rate of women and 2SLGBTQQIA people. This was particularly true for people with intersecting GBA Plus identities, including socioeconomic status, young adults, people who experienced violence during childhood, people with a history of homelessness, people who have experienced discrimination, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

At present, FNIPP and FNIPFP program data and performance indicators do not provide information on how the programs impact GBA Plus (including diversity) considerations. As part of ongoing efforts to reform and improve the Indigenous policing programs, the performance reporting and data collected by the program will be revised collaboratively with First Nations and Inuit representatives. These efforts are expected to simplify and streamline reporting requirements but also identify opportunities to better capture how programs are making a GBA Plus impact in the communities they serve.

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

• Criminal victimization of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in Canada, 2018 to 2020, Statistics Canada (2022)
• Indigenous foster children living in private households: Rates and sociodemographic characteristics of foster children and their households, Statistics Canada (2024)
• Indigenous population continues to grow and is much younger than the non-Indigenous population, although the pace of growth has slowed, Statistics Canada (2022)
• Indigenous Population Profile, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada (2022)
• Victimization of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada, Statistics Canada (2022)
• Youth admissions to correctional services, by Indigenous identity and sex, Statistics Canada (2024)

GBA Plus data collection plan

Results achieved and performance indicator data are not available for this program. Public Safety Canada (PS) remains committed to deliver a robust and collaboratively developed results measurement framework that reflects the program's overarching goals in improving the safety of Indigenous communities. The Department will undertake consultative and engagement work with key partners (e.g. First Nations Chiefs of Police Association, First Nations Police Governance Council, provinces and territories) to develop metrics with a view to finalizing a revised performance measurement framework. The pace and speed at which these metrics can be developed will be influenced by our partners' ability and capacity to engage and provide feedback. A GBA plus analysis will form part of the engagement work PS will pursue with key partners to establish key metrics.

Program: Corrections

Core responsibility

Community Safety

Program goals

The program is responsible for providing advice on the strategic priorities of law enforcement and correctional agencies and on a broad range of national correctional and criminal justice program, policy and legislative issues and activities; leading legislative reforms; and the management of litigation. In fulfilling its mandate, the program leads collaborative efforts with other portfolio agencies and actively works with and supports provincial and territorial partners as well as consulting with other stakeholders such as non-governmental organizations and senior justice officials. The program also develops and implements innovative approaches to community justice, Indigenous corrections and community safety, and safe and effective community release and reintegration through grant and contribution funding, as well as facilitating the sharing of information to promote public safety objectives concerning the correctional system generally and in particular with respect to victims through the National Office for Victims.

Target population

Law enforcement agencies throughout Canada.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

N/A

By income level

N/A

By age group

N/A

Specific demographic group outcomes

The Grants and Contributions Program to National Voluntary Organizations provides funding to eligible recipients who are active in the area of corrections, conditional release and/or community reintegration. These voluntary organizations serve target populations that include various groups, such as women, Indigenous peoples, and youth.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

N/A

Key program impact statistics

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

N/A

Program: Emergency Preparedness

Core responsibility

Emergency Management

Program goals

Public Safety Canada (PS) works in collaboration with other federal departments and provincial and territorial governments, academia, national associations and non-governmental organizations to strengthen national emergency preparedness including planning, training, exercises, and sharing lessons learned. These efforts, taken prior to an emergency, are aligned with Government of Canada priorities and are aimed at making Canadian communities safe and resilient. Related awareness activities include Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week, an annual, week-long public education effort led by PS in collaboration with emergency management partners, and the observation of Fire Prevention Week each October, which aims to reduce human, environmental, and financial losses associated with fires.

Target population

All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced

By income level

Third group: no significant distributional impacts

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

N/A

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Emergency Management Strategy

Natural-hazard-driven disasters and large-scale emergencies affect the lives of all Canadians, with one in three Canadians having experienced a major emergency or disaster in their lifetime. However, some populations are more affected by these large-scale events than others (e.g., Women, children, seniors, members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, newcomers and immigrants, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and low-income individuals and households).

The Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030 (EM Strategy) has integrated GBA Plus within its design. Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management have adopted an Areas for Action report detailing concrete items across the five priorities for action outlined in the EM Strategy. Actions embed GBA Plus by targeting vulnerable populations and communities in Canada, including Indigenous partners; however, the Action Plan itself does not advance efforts to improve disaggregated data collection.

While the EM Strategy in and of itself is not an initiative which collects data, key initiatives undertaken as part of the EM Strategy, such as the National Risk Profile, have helped improve and implement disaggregated data collection through their respective processes and, therefore, may be used to measure, at a high level, the GBA Plus impacts on particular populations with respect to emergency management. These initiatives continued to progress throughout 2024-25.

National Risk Profile

The National Risk Profile (NRP) assesses and shares risk information regarding disasters in Canada; this includes disproportionate impacts felt by vulnerable populations. GBA Plus principles were embedded in the engagement process for NRP risk and capability assessments. These analyses considered how risks and capability gaps may disproportionately affect different individuals, communities, and vulnerable populations. The First Report of the NRP contains disaggregated information about impacts across all segments of the population, including with specific regard to vulnerable communities and intersections between communities.

To ensure that NRP assessment findings reflected the diverse and varying realities of Canadians, whole-of-society stakeholders across a number of sectors were included as a part of the assessment process. The second round of risk and capability assessments as part of the NRP, which started in 2022-23 and continued in 2023-24, included strengthened targeted GBA Plus engagement. This engagement included seeking out advocacy groups and experts representing a variety of population groups to share disaggregated information about how their communities are impacted by disasters, to ensure that all perspectives and disproportionate impacts are included within the NRP. Data collection for the second round of assessments was completed in 2024-25, and PS continued to inspect the data, conduct analysis, and prepare the data for publication throughout the year. Results are expected to be available in the near future.

The NRP is anticipated to have overall positive effects on all segments of the population, particularly vulnerable populations, as the NRP uses GBA Plus tools to collect information concerning the impacts all segments face from disasters, with the goal of informing decision making to reduce risks and increase resilience for all people in Canada.

Social Vulnerability Index 2.0

PS also continued to develop the Social Vulnerability Index ("SoVI 2.0"), which helps inform the development of data-informed equity-based policies and effective disaster and emergency management strategies across the country. Demographic indicators as part of the SoVI include:

• Sex (male or female)
• Age (Working age (15-64), Senior (65+), children under 5, children under 15)
• 1st generation status
• Canadian Citizenship (Foreign-born, Canadian citizen)
• Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)
• Year of Immigration
• Ethnicity
• Knowledge of official languages
• Obtained post-secondary certificate (yes/no)

Other indicators related to access and mobility, health and wellbeing, housing, social networks, and economic security were also used. An analytical article and user guide were prepared in 2024-25 and published in May 2025.

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

Data collection for the second round of NRP assessments was completed in 2024-25, including an expanded and comprehensive survey of differential and vulnerable groups across Canada to gain a complete understanding of the ways those communities are affected by disaster risk. PS continues to consider options for additional rounds of assessments. The NRP provided data which supported emergency preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery by revealing the nature of emergency impacts, and how they impact different populations, as well as the state of capabilities used to address those emergencies.

Program: Emergency Response/Recovery

Core responsibility

Emergency Management

Program goals

The Emergency Response/Recovery program supports coordination of federal activities related to the response and recovery from disasters and emergencies.

Target population

All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced

By income level

Third group: no significant distributional impacts

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

N/A

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Public Safety Canada was a federal partner in the development of Canada's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (CNAP), specifically within the Focus area 3: Crisis response of Public Safety Canada's CNAP Implementation Plan. This role included providing input and coordination to the Action Plan. The Action Plan reflects a resolve to sustain Canada's role as a leader on women, peace and security, and to act with humility to advance the agenda domestically and abroad. It was developed with the guidance of civil society organizations, peacebuilders, Indigenous Peoples, and others in Canada and around the world.

Public Safety Canada worked to enhance GBA Plus and equity-based considerations through the National Risk Profile (NRP) in 2024-25 by undertaking an expanded GBA Plus risk assessment with diverse communities, including women, to identify disproportionate impacts so that they can be addressed. This data collection was completed in 2024-25, and Public Safety Canada has worked to review and analyze the data so that it can be published in the near future.

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

Data collection for the second round of NRP assessments was completed in 2024-25, including an expanded and comprehensive survey of differential and vulnerable groups across Canada to gain a complete understanding of the ways those communities are affected by disaster risk. Public Safety Canada continues to consider options for additional rounds of assessments. The NRP provided data which supported emergency preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery by revealing the nature of emergency impacts, and how they impact different populations, as well as the state of capabilities used to address those emergencies.

Program: Emergency Prevention/Mitigation

Core responsibility

Emergency Management

Program goals

Public Safety Canada aims to promote a safer and more resilient Canada through the reduction of disaster risks, recognizing that emergency management is a shared responsibility. The Department works with all orders of government, the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations, professional associations, Indigenous groups, and the general public. Specifically, the Department works to promote the reduction of impacts and risks of hazards through proactive measures, before an emergency or disaster occurs.

Target population

All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: broadly gender-balanced

By income level

Third group: no significant distributional impacts

By age group

Second group: no significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

N/A

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Canada contributed to the development of the Gender Action Plan to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework (i.e., the Sendai GAP) released in March 2024 by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The Sendai GAP recognizes the fact that disasters and displacements substantially increase the risk of gender-based violence, which includes increased deaths, injuries, and long-term health conditions. It identifies nine key objectives related to the four priorities of the Sendai Framework and recommends 33 actions that promote gender equality, and calls for the empowerment of all women and girls in disaster risk reduction.

In 2024-25, Public Safety Canada contributed to the development of performance indicators for the Sendai GAP which, once completed, will be used to measure every United Nations member country's progress in the field of gender disaster risk reduction, including Canada's progress. Canada was one of the initial countries to develop a Gender Action Plan, calling for enhanced disaster preparedness, and recognizes that it requires women and persons with disabilities to publicly lead and promote gender-equitable and universally accessible approaches during the response and reconstruction phases. PS is often consulted by the UNDRR in the field of gender because of consistent participation in the field.

Key program impact statistics

N/A

Other key program impacts

N/A

Supplementary information sources

N/A

GBA Plus data collection plan

Public Safety Canada convened federal partners to support a common understanding and interoperability of disaster risk reduction data, and ensure a data-driven approach to emergency response functions and information. The Department established an interdepartmental group to develop a Disaster Risk Reduction Data Strategy (DRRDS), to create a government-wide repository of data, and create mechanisms for sharing that data, for which methodologies are currently in development. Core departments involved included Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

The DRRDS is a vision document that outlines guiding principles to ensure relevant disaster risk reduction information is widely available, shared in a consistent format, and meets the needs of users, including emergency management practitioners and the general public. This activity advanced efforts to better prepare Canada to understand, mitigate and prepare for all-hazard events. The interdepartmental group met throughout 2024-25 with the goal of developing this comprehensive DRRDS. The DRRDS was complete as of March 2025, and is subject to approval by the DG emergency management committee.

Moving forward, the federal disaster risk reduction community must continue to work together to ensure that all disaster risk reduction data, including data on multiple hazards (e.g. flood, wildfire, earthquake), exposure, and social vulnerability are interoperable and accessible for all federal partners and the wider emergency management community. Social vulnerability and exposure data will help better identify differential impacts from disasters to vulnerable communities and better address those impacts.

Public Safety Canada also contributed to progress indicators for the Gender Action Plan to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sendai GAP), which will lead to collection of progress toward each member state's progress toward goals on gender equality in disaster risk reduction once the indicators are published.

Date modified:

2025-11-07