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Archived - Statement and Impacts Report on Gender, Diversity, and Quality of Life

Statement and Impacts Report on Gender, Diversity, and Quality of life(PDF, 3,114 KB)

Statement on Gender Equality and Diversity in Canada

Canada’s efforts towards gender equality span a long period in our country’s history, punctuated with key moments of significant progress. Strategic investments such as the first-ever 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and ongoing efforts to reinforce the collection, analysis, and research of disaggregated data will ensure that the government has an improved understanding of the needs of diverse communities of women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized people, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. Generations of Canadian women fought for the equal rights that so much of our progress is built on today. The establishment of an affordable Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System, signed across all 13 provinces and territories and backed by an historic $30-billion investment in Budget 2021, is one of these key moments.

Affordable, high-quality child care, from coast-to-coast-to-coast, will allow more women to choose to enter the workforce or return to the careers they love. This means that record investments in Budget 2023 to build Canada’s clean economy will create opportunities for women like never before in Canada’s history.

Looking ahead, the government remains committed to ensuring that gender equality and fairness and inclusion considerations remain a core focus of the annual federal budget, supported by the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act. The government implemented the Act in 2018 to ensure gender and diversity are accounted for in all taxation and resource allocation decisions.

Diversity is a key component of high performing societies. Greater outcomes emerge when people come together regardless of race, lineage, religion, or gender. Canada and the world's future success will be increasingly tied to our capacity to harness different backgrounds, skills, attitudes, experiences, and perspectives. The advantages this brings are limitless.

Jean Augustine, Canada's first Black woman member of Parliament

Gender budgeting is an approach to inform policy actions that address the needs of Canadians in their different life stages and circumstances. To achieve this, gender budgeting is supported by its underlying tools—namely Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and the Gender Results Framework—which are core to Canada’s approach.

  • GBA Plus recognizes that many identity factors such as gender, income, age, disability, and geography can affect access to opportunities. Through this intersectional approach GBA Plus deepens our understanding of how policies uniquely affect people with diverse experiences, to create policies that are inclusive of these experiences.
  • The Gender Results Framework (GRF) takes a whole-of-government approach to advancing Canada’s gender equality priorities by informing decision-making and tracking progress. These priorities are represented across six pillars and measured against a set of key indicators. Where notable, intersecting identity factors are also represented.

Disaggregated data represent a crucial element of Canada’s ability to perform credible gender budgeting. In Budget 2021, the government announced significant funding for investments in disaggregated data to inform better decision-making. Detailed data can help identify and address gender gaps, and other systemic barriers facing specific population groups, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized people, and persons with disabilities. The Impacts Report, which follows this Statement, demonstrates efforts to use disaggregated data in reporting on the impacts of measures in this budget.

Figure 1
Gender Equality Goals for Canada
Figure 1: Gender Equality Goals for Canada

The Gender Results Framework is aligned with the Government of Canada’s policy of GBA Plus, ensuring that gender is considered in addition and in relation to other intersecting identity factors, including age, disability, education, ethnicity, race, geography, sex, religion, economic status, and language.

Text version

Gender equality goals for Canada

Education and Skills Development

Equal opportunities and diversified paths in education and skills development

Economic Participation and Prosperity

Equal and full participation in the economy

Leadership and Democratic Participation

Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision-making

Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice

Eliminating gender-based violence and harassment, and promoting security of the person and access to justice

Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being

Reduced poverty and improved health outcomes

Gender Equality Around the World

Promoting gender equality to build a more peaceful, inclusive, rules-based and prosperous world

Note on Methodology

Building on the recent investments in disaggregated data, particularly in Budget 2021, this year’s Statement puts an emphasis on an intersectional approach to reporting data. In doing so it recognizes that combined identity factors contribute to varying outcomes and experiences between people.

The terminology used in this Statement is largely dictated by the data collection process, which, until recently, continued to reflect binary norms of gender and did not consider differences between sex at birth and gender identity. However, future iterations of this report should allow us to paint a more comprehensive picture, as new data sources emerge.

That said, it is not always possible to report on the indicators for each group individually, due to concerns around small population sizes and protecting privacy. This is the case for statistics on sexual orientation for example, which are now more frequently available in Canada.

Time periods reflected in the dashboards vary, as not all Statistics Canada surveys are conducted across a consistent time series. Where possible, efforts have been made to reflect the most recently available data.

This year’s Statement is built on newly strengthened data, thanks to a collaboration with Statistics Canada to develop specific analysis based on GRF indicators. The indicators presented in this dashboard mirror the indicators outlined in the GRF as closely as possible, to ensure consistent reporting practices. However, disaggregated datasets not previously reported on, but which support interpretation of the indicators, are a key opportunity to showcase tangible outcomes of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan, and how it is being leveraged in gender budgeting.

As Statistics Canada advances its work on disaggregated data, the government expects that data will continue to be strengthened in future iterations of this Statement.

Education and Skills Development

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Education and Skills Development
Goal: Equal opportunities and diversified paths in education and skills development

An educated and skills-based workforce bolsters economic development. Fair access to educational opportunities enhances individual capabilities, supporting people to choose, define, and succeed in their own career paths.

Educational attainment
University at bachelor or above
(highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 1990-2021)
University  at bachelor or above - (highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 1990-2021)
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Year Men Women
1990 17.1 13.7
1991 17.4 14.0
1992 17.8 14.9
1993 18.9 15.7
1994 19.1 16.7
1995 19.3 17.2
1996 19.3 17.6
1997 19.8 18.3
1998 20.3 18.7
1999 20.6 19.9
2000 21.1 21.1
2001 21.8 21.6
2002 22.1 22.3
2003 22.6 23.5
2004 22.7 23.8
2005 23.4 25.2
2006 24.1 26.2
2007 24.3 26.7
2008 24.5 27.6
2009 24.9 28.0
2010 25.3 29.7
2011 25.7 30.2
2012 26.3 31.6
2013 27.1 32.4
2014 27.6 33.2
2015 28.5 35.0
2016 29.6 36.5
2017 30.1 37.5
2018 30.8 38.1
2019 32.1 39.9
2020 33.4 42.1
2021 35.1 43.3
2022 35.4 44.3
University at bachelor or above
(highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 2021)*
University at bachelor or above - (highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 2021)*
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Group Men+ Women+
Total 32 41
South Asian 57 60
Chinese 61 62
Black 33 36
Filipino 38 52
Arab 50 50
Latin American 36 43
Not part of a Racialized group 25 36
Tradespeople
Apprenticeship or trades
(highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 2006-2021)*
Apprenticeship or trades - (highest education, 25-54 yrs, %, 2006-2021)*

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Census year Men+ Women+
2021 12.9 5.9
2016 14.3 6.9
2011 15.6 8.3
2006 15.6 9
Share of registered apprentice certificates
granted to women (%, 2021)
Total 10
Early childhood educators and assistants 96
Hairstylists and estheticians 87
Community and social service workers 87
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters 2
Heavy duty equipment mechanics 1
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 1
School attendance
Postsecondary school attendance
School attendance Postsecondary school attendance by Indigenous identity (15-24 yrs, %, 2021)* by Indigenous identity
(15-24 yrs, %, 2021)*

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Men+ Women+
First Nations 11.4 18.9
Métis 18.7 28.9
Inuit 7.3 10.4
Adult numeracy and literacy
Test score gap relative to non-Indigenous people
(mean score around 270 pts, 16-65 yrs, 2012)
Adult numeracy and literacy - Test score gap relative to non-Indigenous people
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Numeracy Literacy
First Nations Men -35 -24
Women -26 -17
Métis Men -13 -7
Women -3 2
Inuit Men -73 -59
Women -64 -55
Field of study
Proportion of bachelor's students
who were women (%, 2019-20)
Total 56
Health care 79
Education and teaching 77
Social and behavioural sciences 71
Mathematics and computer and information sciences 28
Engineering and engineering technology 22

Note: * As the non-binary population is small, data aggregation to a two-category gender protects confidentiality. People in the category “non-binary persons” are distributed into the other two gender categories and denoted by the “+” symbol.

Sources: Labour Force Survey, Census of Population, Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Postsecondary Student Information System.

While women tend to be underrepresented in some educational fields, the dashboard above presents a picture of meaningful progress overall towards educational attainment for women, Indigenous Peoples, and Black and racialized people in Canada.

  • Women in Canada are among the most educated in the world, and education levels have been rising in Canada overall, with a little over one in three working-age people in Canada holding a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2021.
  • Working-age women were more likely to have completed a degree than men as of 2021. Women in this age group were also more likely to have completed an education beyond the bachelor level compared to men and have consistently had higher rates of education at this level since 2010.
  • The education gender gap among Black and racialized people tended to be lower than among the non-racialized population, though women still tended to have higher education rates. The share of non-racialized women who held a bachelor’s degree or higher was 11 percentage points higher than that of non-racialized men in 2021.
  • Among all the Red Seal trades from 2017 to 2021, the number of women apprentices increased the most significantly in carpentry, construction electrical work, and plumbing.
  • Although Indigenous people continue to face gaps in terms of high school completion and post-secondary attainment, there were significant improvements in educational outcomes for Indigenous people between 2016 and 2021.

To provide financial stability to students from low- and middle-income households during their post-secondary education, the government will provide enhanced student grants and student loans for the upcoming school year. Government investments allow Canadians not only to choose their own educational and career paths but also to learn in their own official language, and to benefit from second-language learning. Knowledge of official languages will increase the level of bilingualism among young Canadians and support educational institutions in official language minority communities across the country.

Actions to Support Education and Skills Development
Key Results to Date
  • Between the 2016 and 2020 school years, an average of 716,800 students annually received Canada Student Financial Assistance, including grants and loans. The average level of support per student grew from $5,800 in 2016 to $9,500 in 2020.
  • A total of $495.7 million of Canada Student Grants for Students with Disabilities has been awarded to approximately 51,000 students with permanent disabilities each year since 2017. In Budget 2021, the government expanded this support.
  • To promote our official languages,13 bilateral agreements were signed with the provinces and territories to help facilitate and enrich minority-language education and second-language learning. In 2020-21, there were 1,746,096 young Canadians enrolled in French as a second language programs at the elementary and secondary levels outside of Quebec, while 482,769 students were in French immersion.
  • Over $4.1 billion has been invested since 2015 in elementary and secondary education for First Nations children living on reserve, and nine regional education agreements have been concluded to support First Nations-led education systems.
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • Enhanced Canada Student Grants and Loans for the 2023-24 school year will benefit post-secondary students from low- and middle-income households.
  • Additional funding through the next five-year Action Plan for Official Languages, 2023-2028, will help ensure the availability of high-quality minority-language education, and opportunities for second-language learning across Canada.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Economic Participation and Prosperity

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Economic Participation and Prosperity
Goal: Equal and full participation in the economy

An economy that advances equal and meaningful opportunities for participation strengthens economic growth for the benefit of all Canadians.

Labour force
Labour force participation rate (25-54 yrs, %)
Labour force participation rate (25-54 yrs, %)
Text version
Men Women
1976 94.5 52.3
1977 94.3 53.7
1978 94.6 56.2
1979 94.7 58
1980 94.5 60
1981 94.6 62.6
1982 93.6 63.5
1983 93.5 65.2
1984 93.3 66.8
1985 93.5 68.7
1986 93.6 70.2
1987 93.8 71.5
1988 93.5 73.1
1989 93.5 74.4
1990 93.1 75.5
1991 92.4 75.9
1992 91.4 75.3
1993 91.4 75.7
1994 91.2 75.4
1995 90.9 75.7
1996 90.8 76
1997 90.9 76.9
1998 91.1 77.6
1999 91.1 78.2
2000 91 78.5
2001 91.1 79.1
2002 91.5 80.4
2003 91.6 81.1
2004 91.6 81.5
2005 91.5 81.1
2006 91.4 81.2
2007 91.2 81.9
2008 91.6 81.8
2009 91 82.1
2010 90.7 82.4
2011 90.9 82.2
2012 91.2 82.5
2013 91 82.7
2014 90.8 82
2015 91 82.2
2016 91 82.2
2017 91.3 83
2018 91.1 83.3
2019 91.4 83.8
2020 90.4 82.5
2021 91.7 84.2
2022 92 85.1
Employment rate (25-54 yrs, %, 2022)
Employment rate (25-54 yrs, %, 2022)
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Men Women
Total 87.9 81.3
Indigenous 79.6 75.1
Recent immigrant 86.5 69.6
Immigrant 88.1 81.4
Racialized group 86.9 81.3
Earnings
Gender gap in median hourly wages (25-54 yrs, % difference)
Gender gap in median hourly wages (25-54 yrs, % difference)
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% difference in hourly wage
1997 18.2
1998 18.8
1999 19.3
2000 19.6
2001 19.4
2002 18.1
2003 17.5
2004 16.7
2005 15.9
2006 16.1
2007 16.1
2008 16.3
2009 15.2
2010 14.6
2011 13.7
2012 13.8
2013 14.1
2014 13.7
2015 13.8
2016 13.5
2017 13.1
2018 13.1
2019 11.9
2020 10.9
2021 11.1
2022 11.9
Gender gap in annual employment income (25-54 yrs, % difference)
Gender gap in annual employment income (25-54 yrs, % difference)
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1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Gap 57 54 53 52 51 51 50 48 48 47 47 46 47 43 44 42 40 38 40 37 38 38 36 38 39 38 37 37 36 35 32 32 33 30 32 32 33 29 29 32 30 29 28 27 26
Employees who earned less than $500 per week (%, 2016-2023)
Employees who earned less than $500 per week (%, 2016-2023)
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Men 15% 15% 14% 11% 11% 11%
Women 28% 25% 24% 19% 20% 19%
Type and hours of work
Part-time employment by reason (25-54 yrs, x1000 persons, 2022)
Part-time employment by reason (25-54 yrs, x1000 persons, 2022)
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Men Women
Total Part-time 353.3 979.9
Own illness 26.3 59.8
Caregiving 43.2 362.8
Going to school 56.1 102.6
Other voluntary 114.0 268.4
Involuntary reason 113.7 186.5
Temporary employment
(25-54 yrs, %, 2022)
Temporary employment (25-54 yrs, %, 2022)
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Men 9.0 8.2 7.4 8.0 7.3
Women 10.7 10.2 9.2 9.6 9.7
Provided unpaid care to children and adults in the past 12 months (15+, %, 2021)
Provided unpaid care to children and adults in the past 12 months (15+, %, 2021)
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Men Women
Caring for children 15 to 24 12.1 24.7
25 to 34 27.7 41.3
35 to 54 44.8 47.6
55 to 64 15.5 19.6
65+ 15.7 17.6
Caring for adults 15 to 24 13 13.6
25 to 34 9.7 12.3
35 to 54 18.1 25.4
55 to 64 31.3 36
65+ 23.3 23.6
Career choice
Proportion of women in selected occupations
(%, 2022)
Natural and applied sciences 24
Health 79
Education, law and social, community and government services 69
Trades, transport and equipment operators 7
Natural resources, agriculture and related production 18
Manufacturing and utilities 28
Child care costs
Proportion of after-tax family income spent on child care (%, youngest child aged 5 yrs or less, 2018-2020)
Proportion of after-tax family income spent on child care (%, youngest child aged 5 yrs or less, 2018-2020)
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2018 2019 2020
Couples with children 6.8 6.3 5
Lone-parent families 8.6 6.9 5.7

Sources: Labour Force Survey, Canadian Social Survey, Canadian Income Survey.

For women in particular, data suggest significant gains in employment have been realized since 2021. However, a more comprehensive analysis indicates that significant imbalances still exist for women in pay parity and unpaid care responsibilities. Investments in affordable child care and personal support workers are crucial to empowering women to seize economic opportunity.

  • Working-age women saw record employment rates in February 2023, reaching 85.7 per cent. The employment rate for working-age immigrant women remains lower than the average for women, but it increased by almost 10 percentage points from 2019 to 2022, reaching 69 per cent, reflecting—in part—recent federal government investments in early learning and child care.
  • Although the gender pay gap among working-age Canadians fell by almost 3 percentage points for hourly earnings from 2015 to 2021, with women making gains in fields like law, education, business, and finance, it did not disappear. Men continued to have higher earnings than women in 2021.
  • Even at the top one per cent of income levels, the gender pay gap persisted (median income of $362,300 for women in 2015 compared to $393,200 for men). This gap varied across population groups; for example, the pay gap between women and men executives was greater among immigrants (29 per cent) than those Canadian-born (25 per cent). 
  • Black and racialized people were underrepresented among the highest earners for both genders; only one in seven women in the top one per cent of income was part of a racialized group, compared to one in five women in the overall working population.
  • In addition to paid work, nearly a third of women provided unpaid care to children and almost one-quarter provided unpaid care to adults with long-term conditions or disabilities—proportions that were higher than those of men.

Investments in this budget recognize that sustained economic growth requires opportunities for all Canadians. New measures to support a thriving net-zero Canadian economy will generate good jobs and broad-based prosperity—bolstered by supports for early learning and child care which help women to participate in the workforce and earn their fair share of increased economic growth. This is especially true for Indigenous women, for whom working in the natural resource sector is one of the highest paying occupations. Initiatives will improve the economic participation of Indigenous Peoples including a commitment to continued support for First Nation Land Management.

Actions to Support Economic Participation and Prosperity
Key Results to Date
  • The first eight months of engagement on the National Benefits-Sharing Framework consisted of over 30 meetings with Indigenous organizations, two roundtable discussions with Indigenous industry representatives, over 15 meetings with industry associations, and over 35 meetings with provinces and territories.
  • By April 2, 2023, six provinces and territories will be providing regulated child care for an average of just $10-a-day or less—significantly ahead of the federal target. All other provinces and territories remain on track to achieve $10-a-day child care by 2026.
  • Over $4.5 billion has been invested since 2015 to build an early learning and child care system to meet the needs of Indigenous families, wherever they live. 
  • As of March 17, 2019, the Employment Insurance Parental Sharing Benefit provides additional weeks of benefits to parents who share parental benefits, supporting greater gender equality in the home and in the workplace.
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • Additional funding for engagements to support the further development of the National Benefits-Sharing Framework, including exploration of additional federal supports to increase access to capital for Indigenous people to invest in major resource projects.
  • Loans through the Canada Infrastructure Bank to Indigenous communities to support them in purchasing equity stakes in infrastructure projects in which the Bank is also investing.
  • Budget 2023 affirms the government’s commitment to negotiate a renewed operating funding formula with the Lands Advisory Board that will ensure continued growth and success of First Nation Land Management.
  • Additional funding to the Women’s Program will strengthen women’s organizations that help women access economic opportunities.
  • Supporting the TV5MONDEplus Platform will help ensure that French-speaking Canadian audiovisual producers have access to new markets.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Leadership and Democratic Participation

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Leadership and Democratic Participation
Goal: Gender equality in leadership roles and at all levels of decision-making

Having diverse voices participate in all aspects of decision-making and leadership fosters creativity, collaboration, and better outcomes for all Canadians.

Economic leadership
Managers and senior managers (%, 2022)
Managers and senior managers (%, 2022)
Text version
Men Women
All workers 52.5 47.5
Management occupations 64.6 35.4
Senior management occupations 67.4 32.5
Indigenous-owned business by gender of ownership (%, 2018)
Indigenous-owned business by gender of ownership (%, 2018)
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Total Indigenous-owned Non-Indigenous owned
Men-owned 63.55 71.85 63.44
Women-owned 20.64 24.68 20.59
Equally-owned 15.81 3.47 15.97
Board directors and officers who are women
(%, 2016-2019)
Board directors and officers who are women (%, 2016-2019)
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% Women
Board directors Board officers
2016 17.8 29.0
2017 17.9 29.2
2018 18.4 29.9
2019 19.2 30.7
Political leadership
Federal political representation (%, 2021-2022)*
Federal political representation (%, 2021-2022)*
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Members Ministers Population (15+)
Women 31 50 51
Indigenous 3 3 4
Racialized group 16 21 21
Immigrant 13 22 25
2SLGBTQI+ 2 8 4
Federal political representatives who are women (%, 1867-2022)
Federal political representatives who are women (%, 1867-2022)
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MPs (30.5%) Ministers (50.0%) Senators (48.9%)
1st 0.0 0.0 0.0
3rd 0.0 0.0 0.0
4th 0.0 0.0 0.0
5th 0.0 0.0 0.0
6th 0.0 0.0 0.0
7th 0.0 0.0 0.0
8th 0.0 0.0 0.0
9th 0.0 0.0 0.0
10th 0.0 0.0 0.0
11th 0.0 0.0 0.0
12th 0.0 0.0 0.0
13th 0.0 0.0 0.0
14th 0.4 0.0 0.0
15th 0.4 0.0 0.0
16th 0.4 0.0 0.9
17th 0.4 0.0 1.6
18th 0.8 0.0 2.0
19th 0.4 0.0 1.8
20th 0.4 0.0 1.9
21st 0.0 0.0 3.6
22nd 1.5 0.0 5.7
23rd 0.8 4.8 5.1
24th 0.8 3.4 6.5
25th 1.9 4.8 5.9
26th 1.5 3.2 5.5
27th 1.5 3.0 5.1
28th 0.4 0.0 8.2
29th 1.9 0.0 7.8
30th 3.4 5.0 8.5
31st 3.5 4.8 10.7
32nd 5.0 5.4 11.2
33rd 9.6 15.8 13.8
34th 13.2 15.6 15.2
35th 18.0 20.7 21.8
36th 20.6 26.5 29.2
37th 20.6 24.0 34.5
38th 21.1 22.6 35.5
39th 20.8 20.7 34.7
40th 22.4 27.6 33.3
41st 24.7 26.5 36.1
42nd 26.0 47.7 45.1
43rd 29.0 47.4 48.0
44th 30.5 50.0 48.9
Gender divide of legislators in public administration (%, 2016)
Gender divide of legislators in public administration (%, 2016)
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Women Men
All levels 32.5 67.5
Federal 35.5 64.5
Provincial/Territorial 33.4 66.6
Municipal 31.7 68.3
Immigrant 8.7 8.2
Indigenous 5.8 7.3
Judicial representation
Federal judges who are
women (%, 2021-2023)
Federal judges who are women (%, 2021-2023)
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Year
Proportion women
2021 43.8
2022 45.3
2023 46.1
Federal judicial appointments (%, 2016-2021)
Federal judicial appointments (%, 2016-2021)
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New federal judicial appointments (2016-2021) Population (15+)
Indigenous 4% 4%
Racialized group 10% 26%
Has a disability 1% 22%
2SLGBTQI+ 7% 4%
Women 57% 51%
Law enforcement
Female proportion of police officers, by rank (%, 1989-2021)
Female proportion of police officers, by rank (%, 1989-2021)
Text version
Commissioned officers Non-commissioned officers Constables Total officers
1989 0.31 1.12 7.91 5.8
1990 0.38 1.26 8.6 6.38
1991 0.42 1.35 9.47 6.98
1992 0.75 1.59 10.16 7.52
1993 1.25 1.8 10.78 8.02
1994 1.32 2.2 12.02 9.05
1995 1.58 2.73 12.81 9.78
1996 1.73 3.01 13.46 10.37
1997 2.06 3.44 14.28 11.13
1998 2.17 3.91 15.52 12.21
1999 2.76 4.73 16.24 12.93
2000 3.1 5.45 17.01 13.67
2001 3.45 6.33 17.77 14.49
2002 3.97 7.08 18.58 15.26
2003 4.65 7.71 19.09 15.74
2004 5.18 8.86 19.76 16.49
2005 5.48 9.68 20.67 17.33
2006 6.06 10.85 21.11 17.95
2007 7.21 11.99 21.46 18.51
2008 7.75 13.34 21.24 18.7
2009 8.28 14.4 21.39 19.07
2010 8.66 15.14 21.37 19.23
2011 9.5 15.82 21.59 19.6
2012 9.95 16.38 21.77 19.9
2013 10.44 17.06 21.91 20.21
2014 10.89 17.59 22.19 20.57
2015 12.39 18.05 22.32 20.84
2016 13.22 18.22 22.61 21.14
2017 14.53 18.66 22.87 21.36
2018 15.35 19.31 23.24 21.8
2019 18.93 20.08 23.34 22.25
2020
2021 18.1 20.43 23.63 22.42
Police officers (%, 2021)
Police officers (%, 2021)
Text version
Police officers Population (15+)
Women 22 51
Racialized group 8 26
Indigenous 4 4

Note: * Indicates that estimates of population shares are from a different year (i.e., 2016).

Sources: Labour Force Survey, Canadian Employer-Employee Dynamics Database, Business Register – Corporations Returns Act, Library of Parliament, Policy Options, Department of Finance Canada internal analysis, Census of Population, Police Administration Survey.

Efforts to increase the inclusion of women in top leadership positions across all sectors have been steady but still too slow. Women account for just a third of leadership positions in Parliament, business, justice, and law.

  • In general, women have seen increasing representation in leadership positions over time. This includes representation at various levels of government, in senior management, in policing, and in the justice system.
  • The proportion of senior management positions held by women increased steadily between 2001 and 2022, but they were still mostly held by men. Only 33 per cent of senior managers were women in 2022, an increase of nine percentage points from 2001.
  • Over the last four years, the number of women elected to Parliament has steadily grown. In 2022, women made up 31 per cent of Members of Parliament, a share that grew each year since 2018. Since 2015, Canada has had a gender-balanced Cabinet, and that proportion remained at a stable level through to 2023.
  • Among legislators working in public administration across all levels of government in 2016, about one-third were women, with slightly higher representation at the federal level (36 per cent) than the provincial and territorial (33 per cent) or local (32 per cent) levels.
  • In 2023, 46 per cent of federally appointed judges were women. This proportion varied across provinces and territories but was generally between 40 per cent and 50 per cent. Yukon and the Northwest Territories had fewer judges, but all of them were women. However, only about one-third of federal court judges were women.

The government recognizes that investments in promoting diversity in leadership roles is needed in all sectors of the economy. Legislative amendments introduced through Budget 2023 will ensure that diversity disclosures for federally regulated financial institutions will promote equal access to economic opportunities in the financial sector for all Canadians, while other investments will seek to advance career opportunities for Black employees in the public service.

Actions to Support Leadership and Democratic Participation
Key Results to Date
  • As of February 2023, there are 1,884 organizations participating in the 50-30 Challenge, committing to having representation of 50 per cent women and 30 per cent other underrepresented groups in senior management and on boards. Participants in the 50-30 challenge include large corporations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profits, and charities.
  • Introduced in 2021, Public Service Employment Act amendments included changes to the preamble of the legislation to include a specific commitment to diversity in the public service.
  • In June 2022, the Indigenous Growth Fund, under the management of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, secured its first private investment of $3 million from Block, a technology company with a focus on financial services. This will increase overall financing available to Indigenous entrepreneurs who require capital to start or expand their businesses. 
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • Legislative amendments to adapt and apply the Canada Business Corporations Act diversity disclosure requirements to federally regulated financial institutions will promote greater gender, racial, and Indigenous diversity among senior ranks of the financial sector and ensure more Canadians have access to these opportunities.
  • Building on amendments to the Public Service Employment Act to remove bias and barriers in the staffing process, investments will support Black employees in the public service in providing targeted career development opportunities and supporting a healthy and safe work environment.
  • Funding for the Northern Participant Funding Program will support Northern Indigenous communities and organizations’ engagement on major infrastructure and resource projects which impact their lands, lives, and livelihoods.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice
Goal: Eliminating gender-based violence and harassment, and promoting security of the person and access to justice

All Canadians deserve to live free from violence regardless of their identity.

Workplace harassment
Experience of inappropriate sexualized behaviours in the workplace (%, past 12 months, 2020)
Experience of inappropriate sexualized behaviours in the workplace (%, past 12 months, 2020)
Text version
Men Women
Management 4.4 19
Business, finance and administration 4.3 19
Natural and applied sciences 3 32
Health 7.8 30
Education, law and social, community and government services 4.6 21
Art, culture, recreation and sport 8.1 28
Sales and service 4.3 32
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 4.4 47
Manufacturing and utilities 6 29
Sexual assault
Experienced a work-related sexual assault (%, 2020)
Experienced a work-related sexual assault (%, 2020)
Text version
Men Women
Total 3.0 13.2
Sexual attack 0.5 3.2
Unwanted sexual touching 2.5 13.0
Other 1.2
Police reporting of crime
Rate of police-reported violent crime (number, 2020)
Police reporting of crime
Text version
Girls/Women Boys/Men
11 and younger 384 513
12 to 17 1,487 2,574
18 to 24 1,660 2,442
25 to 34 1,681 2,235
35 to 44 1,381 1,649
45 and older 662 518
Total 1,015 1,190
Childhood abuse
Experience of childhood victimization (%, 2018)
Childhood abuse
Text version
Men Women
Childhood victimization 26.1 27.9
Physical abuse 24.8 22.3
Sexual abuse 3.7 11.8
Physical and sexual abuse 2.4 6.2
Intimate partner violence (IPV)
Self-reported IPV by type
(since age 15, %, 2018)
Self-reported IPV by type (since age 15, %, 2018)
Text version
Women Men
Remote area 12 10
Less accessible 12 10
Accessible area 12 12
Police-reported IPV (rate per 100,000, 2009-2021)
Police-reported IPV (rate per 100,000, 2009-2021)
Text version
Women Men
2009 554 138
2010 552 141
2011 522 134
2012 500 132
2013 469 126
2014 452 124
2015 463 127
2016 467 129
2017 475 130
2018 489 129
2019 517 142
2020 525 145
2021 537 147
Homicide
Homicide (rate per 100,000, 2014-2021)
Homicide (rate per 100,000, 2014-2021)
Text version
Men Women
Indigenous 2014 10.87 3.63
2015 12.49 4.87
2016 12.66 3.28
2017 12.91 4.03
2018 10.31 4.64
2019 13.41 4.72
2020 16.56 4.11
2021 14.13 4.31
Non-Indigenous 2014 1.65 0.72
2015 1.90 0.78
2016 2.01 0.71
2017 2.13 0.76
2018 2.25 0.69
2019 2.13 0.56
2020 2.16 0.71
2021 2.30 0.80
Accused-victim relationship in solved homicides (%, 2021)
Accused-victim relationship in solved homicides (%, 2021)
Text version
Men Women
Spouse 3.6 32.5
Other family 14.8 27.9
Intimate non-spousal 3 11.7
Acquaintance 50.8 17.5
Stranger 18.4 8.4
Criminal relationship 9.4 2

Sources: Sexual Misconduct at Work Survey, Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces and Remoteness Index, Homicide Survey.

Violence against women increased to record levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. When combined with other factors such as sexual orientation, race, and geography, the statistics are even more staggering. The federal government has taken action to combat this crisis, and work with the provinces is necessary to respond to this cross-jurisdictional issue.

  • The rate of police-reported family violence continued to increase year-over-year into 2021. Women and girls were the victims in over two-thirds of family violence reports. Since 2009, police-reported family violence against children and youth has increased by 25 per cent, and against seniors by 37 per cent.
  • The pandemic and challenges to social cohesion have also highlighted discrimination in Canada, including an alarming increase in hate crime. The number of police-reported hate crimes rose by 27 per cent in 2021, following an increase of 36 per cent in the previous year.
  • Women were slightly more likely (28 per cent) than men (26 per cent) to report childhood victimization in 2018. Physical abuse was more common than sexual abuse, but women were also more likely than men to report sexual abuse (12 per cent vs. four per cent). Childhood victimization was more commonly reported among Indigenous people, older adults, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
  • Intimate partner violence in Canada increased for seven consecutive years leading up to 2021. The observed increases in intimate partner violence over the past decade have been largely driven by an increase in reported cases against men and boys, but 79 per cent of victims identified as women and girls, and the rate of intimate partner violence against women steadily increased between 2014 and 2021.
  • In 2021, 586 victims of homicide were men or boys, compared with 197 women or girls (75 per cent and 25 per cent respectively). The proportion of women killed by their spouse or partner was about seven times greater than for men, and three in four of the victims of spousal or intimate partner homicides were women.  
  • Indigenous people and Black people are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Indigenous people represent 27 per cent of federal inmates, but only comprise five per cent of the Canadian population, and Black Canadians account for nine per cent of federal offenders but comprise four per cent of the Canadian population.

In tackling gender-based violence, government investments will help to ensure that the federal prison and justice system do not perpetuate systemic inequalities for marginalized groups.

Actions to Support Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice
Key Results to Date
  • On November 9, 2022, Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women endorsed the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence,which will help address the social and economic factors that contribute to gender-based violence.
  • As part of the reforms to Canada’s pardon process, the Parole Board of Canada reduced record suspension application fees by over 90 per cent, which contributed to a 20 per cent increase in applications. A record suspension helps remove the stigma of a criminal record for people who have served their sentence.
  • In support of work to address systemic racism in public safety institutions, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police launched the RCMP-Indigenous Collaboration, Co-development and Accountability office in May 2021 to co-develop policing solutions with Indigenous communities.
  • Federal funding for criminal legal aid promotes access to a fair justice process. In 2020-21, over 183,000 Canadians accessed criminal legal aid, of which 79 per cent were men.
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • Additional funding to enhance the capacity of the Office of the Correctional Investigator to review inmate complaints and perform in-depth investigations of systemic issues in federal prisons.
  • Establishment of an Independent Commission to review potential wrongful convictions. The commission will aim to reduce barriers for Indigenous Peoples, Black persons, and other marginalized communities that are overrepresented in the criminal justice system.
  • Advancing the establishment of a restorative engagement program in the public service. Once established, employees will have the opportunity to share their personal accounts and lived experiences of harassment, discrimination and violence in a safe, confidential space.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Poverty Reduction, Health, and Well-Being
Goal: Reduced poverty and improved health outcomes

Freedom from poverty entails access to basic services and social protection measures that enable all Canadians to have a good quality of life.

Poverty
Official poverty rate (%)
fficial poverty rate (%)
Text version
Men Women
2015 14 15
2016 12 13
2017 12 12
2018 11 11
2019 10 11
2020 6 6
Core Housing Need
Core housing need (%, 2011, 2016 and 2021)*
Core Housing Need
Text version
2011 2016 2021
Men+ 9.7 9.8 7.1
Women+ 11.5 11.4 8.2
Food security Moderate or severe food insecurity (12+ yrs, % households, 2021)
Moderate or severe food insecurity (12+ yrs, % households, 2021)
Text version
Estimate (%)
Total 6
Lone parent 14
Indigenous 14
Immigrant 8
Racialized group 8
2SLGBTQI+ 12
Life expectancy
Life expectancy at birth, based on single year estimates (yrs, 1980-2020)
Life expectancy at birth, based on single year estimates (yrs, 1980-2020)
Text version
  Men Women
1980 71.59 78.79
1981 72.01 79.16
1982 72.33 79.29
1983 72.68 79.61
1984 73.01 79.82
1985 73.02 79.8
1986 73.22 79.87
1987 73.53 80.19
1988 73.61 80.27
1989 73.92 80.49
1990 74.3 80.73
1991 74.53 80.81
1992 74.76 81.07
1993 74.7 80.86
1994 74.94 80.95
1995 75.07 81.03
1996 75.43 81.15
1997 75.71 81.25
1998 75.97 81.41
1999 76.2 81.61
2000 76.64 81.82
2001 76.92 82
2002 77.16 82.02
2003 77.32 82.23
2004 77.68 82.42
2005 77.82 82.52
2006 78.29 82.91
2007 78.29 82.91
2008 78.51 83.05
2009 78.91 83.33
2010 79.21 83.54
2011 79.39 83.68
2012 79.61 83.82
2013 79.74 83.85
2014 79.76 83.91
2015 79.84 83.89
2016 79.92 84.03
2017 79.75 84.02
2018 79.8 83.99
2019 80.18 84.38
2020 79.49 83.96
Cause of death
Age-specific mortality rate, by gender, for cardiovascular disease and cancers (per 100,000, 2000-2020)
Age-specific mortality rate, by gender, for cardiovascular disease and cancers (per 100,000, 2000-2020)
Text version

Reference period
Women - cancer Men - cancer Women - cardiovascular Men - cardiovascular
2000 188.7 219 245.5 248.9
2001 189.4 220.8 239 239.6
2002 193.9 221.6 237.6 235.7
2003 195.8 221.3 230.4 236
2004 197 222 226.1 226.4
2005 195.4 221.8 221.7 220
2006 195.3 220.3 209.4 211.6
2007 198.9 224 210.8 211.4
2008 199.3 224.5 207.8 210.3
2009 198 223.9 201.1 204.2
2010 199.7 221.8 196.5 198.4
2011 199.1 223 190.1 193.8
2012 201.3 226.9 188.3 195.1
2013 201.6 225.9 190.8 196.5
2014 202.9 231.1 191.5 198.4
2015 202.8 227.4 192.4 198.6
2016 205.9 230.5 186.8 197
2017 205.3 233.3 189.8 205.9
2018 201.2 229.6 187.7 203.9
2019 197.9 230.3 183.7 199.6
2020 199.4 227 181.4 201.3
Physical activity
Percentage of adults meeting physical activity guidelines (%, 2021)
Percentage of adults meeting physical activity guidelines (%, 2021)
Text version
Men Women
18 to 34 years 62.0 56.4
35 to 49 years 60.8 54.8
50 to 64 years 58.0 54.5
65 years and over 44.1 37.1
Psychological well-being
Self-perceived mental health: excellent or very good (12+ yrs, %, 2021)
Self-perceived mental health: excellent or very good (12+ yrs, %, 2021)
Text version
Group Men Women
Total 63 55
Racialized groups 66 57
2SLGBTQI+ 42 27
Indigenous identity 55 46
Immigrant 66 59
Contraceptive use
Sexually active and not using
contraception (15-49 yrs, %, 2015-16)
Sexually active and not using contraception (15-49 yrs, %, 2015-16)
Text version
Men Women
Total 25 24
Immigrant 27 27
Visible minority 24 25
Indigenous 31 26
Motherhood
Early motherhood: live births (rate per 1,000, women aged 15-19 yrs)
Early motherhood: live births (rate per 1,000, women aged 15-19 yrs)
Text version

Reference period
Number of live births per 1,000
(15 to 19 years)
1991 24
1992 24
1993 23
1994 24
1995 23
1996 22
1997 20
1998 20
1999 19
2000 18
2001 17
2002 16
2003 15
2004 14
2005 14
2006 15
2007 15
2008 16
2009 16
2010 15
2011 13
2012 13
2013 12
2014 11
2015 10
2016 9
2017 8
2018 7
2019 6
2020 6
2021 5

Note: * Given that the non-binary population is small, data aggregation to a two-category gender variable is sometimes necessary to protect the confidentiality of responses provided. In these cases, people in the category “non-binary persons” are distributed into the other two gender categories and are denoted by the “+” symbol.

Sources: Canadian Income Survey, Census of Population, Canadian Community Health Survey, Vital Statistics Death Database, General Social Survey, Vital Statistics Birth Database.

The opioid crisis and elevated mental health stressors continue to pose challenges for Canadians, alongside important gaps in access to safe and affordable housing.

  • The poverty rate for children in 2020 was less than half the 2015 level, in large part due to the introduction of the Canada Child Benefit. Some populations remain more vulnerable than others, however: almost one-third of one-parent families with young children (aged zero to five) live in poverty, as do over one in ten Indigenous people.
  • Almost half (44 per cent) of Canadians felt very concerned over their ability to afford housing or rent in 2022. One-parent households were particularly affected by housing issues, with almost one in five in core housing need in 2021. Women were slightly more likely to be in core housing need than men, and more than one in eight Indigenous people were in core housing need in the same year.
  • Financial disparities have a major impact on food security. In 2022, Canadians in the bottom household income quintile were three times more likely than those in the highest income quintile to report feeling very concerned about food price increases. Other population groups particularly affected include lone parents (14 per cent), Indigenous people (14 per cent), and 2SLGBTQI+ people (12 per cent), who reported more concern than the national average of six per cent.
  • Canadians are grappling with the lingering physical health effects of the pandemic, but the prevalence of mental health disorders remains a challenge. One in four (25 per cent) adults screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder, up from 21 per cent in fall 2020, with greater increases in prevalence among youth and young adults. In 2021, women reported lower self-perceived mental health across all population groups, but self-perceived mental health was particularly low among 2SLGBTQI+ women and Indigenous women.
  • The overdose crisis continues to have a devastating impact. There were over 3,200 opioid overdose deaths in the first half of 2022 alone (January to June), equivalent to approximately 20 per day. 76 per cent of those who died were men, and the majority of deaths occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

Recognizing that poverty is multidimensional, the government will continue to make investments in a range of core priorities over the medium term, including further funding for combatting the overdose crisis through evidence-based health interventions.

Actions to Support Poverty Reduction, Health, and Well-Being
Key Results to Date
  • In November 2022, the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative was launched, to support the creation of at least 4,500 more affordable housing units for Canadians in severe housing need across the country, with 25 per cent of investments going towards women-focused housing projects.
  • Since 2017, the government has committed funding to directly address the opioid crisis and problematic substance use to help save lives, by supporting increased access to evidence-based treatment and prescriber-led safer supply projects, increasing access to naloxone, and authorizing supervised consumption sites.
  • To date, over 240,000 children under 12 have received the Canada Dental Benefit, helping ensure they can access the dental care they need.
  • The government launched the Disability Inclusion Action Plan—a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. This plan includes measures to support persons with disabilities by fostering financial security, employment opportunities, and accessible and inclusive communities.
  • As of February 3, 2023, the government has lifted 138 long-term drinking water advisories since November 2015, and is actively working to address the remaining 32 to ensure First Nations communities have reliable access to safe drinking water.
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • The new federal health plan will improve health care for Canadians through new funding to provinces and territories to strengthen the public health care system and deliver results for Canadians.   
  • The plan also announced an Indigenous Health Equity Fund to support Indigenous health priorities,to provide health benefits coverage and increase access to health care services to improve the immediate and future health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.
  • Funding to continue to combat the overdose crisis through evidence-based health interventions and further action to tackle drug trafficking.
  • The new Canadian Dental Care Plan will help improve the oral health of Canadians by providing dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with family incomes of less than $90,000 annually, with no co-pays for those with family incomes under $70,000.
  • Supporting the implementation of 988, a three-digit suicide prevention line that Canadians can call or text for immediate suicide prevention intervention and mental health crisis support.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Pillar: Gender Equality Around  the World

Gender Results Framework
Pillar: Gender Equality Around the World
Goal: Promoting gender equality to build a more peaceful, inclusive, rules-based, and prosperous world

Canada is a leader and champion for gender equality, and will continue to advance efforts that empower women, girls, and gender-diverse people both domestically and abroad.

Education and skills
Literacy rate among youth
(15-24 yrs, %, 1975-2020)
Literacy rate among youth (15-24 yrs, %, 1975-2020)
Text version
Girls Boys
1975 70 84
1976 70 84
1977 70 84
1978 71 85
1979 72 85
1980 73 85
1981 73 85
1982 74 85
1983 75 85
1984 76 86
1985 76 86
1986 77 86
1987 78 86
1988 78 87
1989 78 87
1990 79 87
1991 79 87
1992 80 88
1993 80 88
1994 80 88
1995 81 88
1996 81 88
1997 82 89
1998 83 90
1999 83 90
2000 83 90
2001 84 90
2002 84 90
2003 85 91
2004 86 91
2005 85 91
2006 86 92
2007 86 91
2008 87 92
2009 87 92
2010 87 92
2011 88 92
2012 88 92
2013 89 92
2014 89 93
2015 89 93
2016 90 93
2017 90 93
2018 90 93
2019 90 93
2020 91 93
Progression to secondary school (%, 2016)
Progression to secondary school (%, 2016)
Text version
Girls Boys
Low Income East Asia & Pacific 95.89 97.08
Europe & Central Asia 99.55 99.48
Latin America & Caribbean 93.81 95.82
Middle East & North Africa 90.13 92.12
  Sub-Saharan Africa 75.92 75.09
High Income 97.18 97.94
Economic participation and prosperity
Workplace harassment and the law (% of 190 countries, 2022)
Workplace harassment and the law (% of 190 countries, 2022)
Text version
Number of Countries %
Women cannot get a job in the same way as men 18 9.47
No prohibition against gender discrimination in employment 30 15.79
No legislation against sexual harassment in employment 46 24.21
No criminal penalties for sexual harassment in employment 54 28.42
Year when regions are expected to achieve gender parity (2022)*
Year when regions are expected to achieve gender parity (2022)*
Text version

Region
Year # years to gender parity
South Asia 2219 196
East Asia and the Pacific 2190 167
Central Asia 2174 151
Middle East and North Africa 2137 114
Sub-Saharan Africa 2120 97
Latin America and
the Caribbean
2089 66
Europe 2082 59
North America 2081 58
Leadership and democratic participation
United Nations peacekeeping officers who are women, by type of personnel (%, 2017-2022)
United Nations peacekeeping officers who are women, by type of personnel (%, 2017-2022)
Text version
Military Police
2017 0.04 0.10
2018 0.04 0.13
2019 0.05 0.15
2020 0.06 0.18
2021 0.06 0.18
2022 0.07 0.20
Gap to gender parity in select public sector leadership positions – globally (%, 2022)
Gap to gender parity in select public sector leadership positions – globally (%, 2022)
Text version
Female participation Gap to parity
Head of State/government 14 36
Ministerial positions 21 29
Parliament 26 24
Local government 34 16
Judiciary positions 42 8
Gender-based violence
Prevalence of intimate partner violence (15-49 yrs, %, 2018)
Prevalence of intimate partner violence (15-49 yrs, %, 2018)
Text version
Prevalence
Low & middle income Africa 33
Americas 25
South-East Asia 33
Europe 22
Eastern Mediterranean 31
Western Pacific 20
High income 22
Gender-based violence
Number of reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence (2019-2021)
Number of reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence (2019-2021)
Text version
Women and Girls Men and Boys Number of reported cases to UN
2019 2,592 81 2,700
2020 2,304 72 2,400
2021 3,102.06 127.92 3,198
Sexual health
Women with unmet needs for family planning
(15-49 yrs, %, 2022)
Women with unmet needs for family planning (15-49 yrs, %, 2022)
Text version
% of Women
North America 4
Asia and the Pacific 7
Latin America and Caribbean 8
Eastern Europe and Central Asia 8
East and Southern Africa 16
West and Central Africa 17

Note: *In the areas of Economic Prosperity, Education, Health, and Political Leadership.

Sources: World Bank, Women, Business and the Law (World Bank), World Economic Forum, United Nations (UN) Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN, World Health Organization, UN Development Fund, UN Population Fund.

Although international gender equality metrics have improved in key areas such as literacy and access to education, gaps remain in legislation around workplace and sexual rights, and women continue to be underrepresented in political leadership positions worldwide.

  • While the global literacy rate now stands at 87 per cent and has increased remarkably in the last two centuries, strong regional inequalities remain and, in some regions, literacy rates have fallen in recent years due to the disruptions caused by conflict. In countries affected by crisis and conflict, women’s literacy rates are far behind those of men, as girls are all too often the first ones pulled out of school.
  • Women continue to face constraints on their ability to acquire or maintain employment. In many countries, there is a lack of legislation and criminal penalties for sexual harassment in the workplace, as well as unaddressed inequalities in job prospects between women and men.
  • According to the World Health Organization, globally one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly by an intimate partner. Intimate partner violence is most prevalent in low-income regions within Africa and South-East Asia. Lower levels of education are a major risk factor for both perpetrating and experiencing intimate partner violence. Regions where women face barriers to securing paid employment and where there is less gender equality are more likely to have higher rates of intimate partner violence.
  • Women and girls are disproportionately targeted as victims of sexual violence in conflict settings, especially women peacebuilders and human rights defenders according to the United Nations.
  • In regions with stronger protections of a woman’s right to reproductive health care, women are more likely to have improved agency over the decision to have more children or not, although work still remains to ensure all women can exercise their reproductive rights.

In recognition of the effects of war on vulnerable groups such as women and girls, Canada’s support to Ukraine will ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most and build on efforts in 2022-23 to strengthen accountability for conflict-related sexual violence. Other commitments will also reinforce sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls.

Actions to Support Gender Equality Around the World
Key Results to Date
  • Canada has committed over $5.4 billion in economic, military, humanitarian, and other support to Ukraine since February 2022, which has helped address food insecurity and provided emergency health and other governmental services for vulnerable populations affected by war.
  • Resources announced in Budget 2022 contributed to Canada’s $1.21 billion commitment to support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights and enhances equitable access to health services.
  • Canada provided $100 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, toward care work. This contribution will address unpaid and paid care work in low- and middle-income countries to support a more equal distribution of care responsibilities.
  • In 2021-22, 99 per cent of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either directly targeted or integrated gender equality results, exceeding the 95 per cent target set in the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
Budget 2023 Actions*
  • Canada will continue to support the Ukrainian people to defend their territorial integrity and provide economic, humanitarian, development, and security and stabilization assistance to support the resilience of Ukrainian government and civil society organizations, including by providing Ukraine with additional financial assistance for 2023.
  • Under the Thrive Agenda, Canada committed and is on track to raise its global health funding to reach $1.4 billion each year, starting in 2023, of which $700 million will be dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

* Please refer to the Impacts Report to see other Budget 2023 investments that are expected to advance this pillar.

Summary of Budget 2023’s Gender and Diversity Impacts

Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) ensures that the federal government considers Canada’s diversity in the policy-making process, understands who is impacted by its policies, and mitigates unintended consequences that perpetuate existing inequities. This section provides an aggregated picture of the analysis presented in the Impacts Report for the new measures in this budget.

Timing of GBA Plus

Chart 1:
Timing of GBA Plus
Chart 1: Timing of GBA Plus
Text version
Timing Budget 2022 Budget 2023
Existing 5% 9%
Early 33% 42%
Mid-point 47% 34%
Later 15% 15%

In Budget 2023, close to 40 per cent of measures included GBA Plus analysis at an early stage compared to only 25 per cent of measures in 2019. This result reflects an increasing awareness of GBA Plus and the availability of disaggregated data, which have supported efforts to embed GBA Plus as a whole-of-government approach, with analysis well integrated in the policy development process. In this regard, Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) has been an integral partner in establishing GBA Plus as a key tool for gender budgeting in Canada. For Budget 2023, the scope of these supports has included working with departments and agencies advancing key priorities. This is to ensure that initiatives consider equality, fairness, and inclusion in their design and leverage data to better track the impact of such initiatives over time. These collaborative efforts will continue to strengthen GBA Plus across all aspects of government policy development and decision-making processes, consistent with the recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada in 2022.

There is an increase in the number of measures that rely on existing GBA Plus analysis in Budget 2023—this is partially attributable to the extension of existing government programs. In some instances, existing analysis was also strengthened through the inclusion of new data, such as more recent numbers on the take-up of Canada Student Grants, and inland asylum applications.

Overall, the number of budget measures that consider GBA Plus at a later stage remains relatively unchanged from previously reported trends. The federal government remains committed to embedding GBA Plus at all stages of the policy-making process.

GBA Plus Responsive Approaches

Chart 2:
Responsive Approaches
Chart 2: Responsive Approaches
Text version
Count %
Negative Impacts Possible Includes Mitigation Strategies 7 39%
No Mitigation Strategies 11 61%
Barriers to Access/Participation Possible Includes Steps for Reducing Barriers 26 90%
No Steps for Reducing Barriers 3 10%

In Budget 2023, 14 per cent of measures identified a potential barrier to access or participation for a specific demographic group. Barriers were more pronounced for some groups, particularly Indigenous people, (especially Indigenous women), and persons with disabilities. Geography, especially for those in remote areas, can also function as a barrier to participation. For most measures (90 per cent) where a barrier was identified, a proposed approach to removing obstacles for groups experiencing these barriers was included.

In proposals related to natural resources and the environment, there were explicit efforts to remove barriers for Indigenous business owners—as an example, Canada’s Forest Economy will enhance outreach activities and capacity building to support Indigenous participation in forest sector activities, given that over 70 per cent of Indigenous communities are in forested areas. Similarly, the Whales Initiatives will seek to minimize disruption to Indigenous commercial and recreational fisheries due to fishing closures that protect whale habitat. To address the negative impacts that project development in natural resource sectors can have for Indigenous people, as more workers move closer to these communities, initiatives such as the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program will provide support to Indigenous communities to engage in consultations on project decisions.

In support of efforts to increase Indigenous and women’s economic engagement and sectoral representation, the Vessel Remediation Fund, to be created and funded through proposed amendments to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, will include equity, diversity, and inclusion factors in the evaluation criteria to select firms to undertake remediation or removal of problem vessels.

Beyond economic participation, Indigenous women and girls face other inequalities, especially gender-based violence, which they disproportionately experience compared to other non-Indigenous women. The federal government is making investments to reduce violence through the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. The experiences of Indigenous women continue to be a priority in the government’s work to end gender-based violence.

Considerations are also given to the diversity of the language profiles in the Canadian population. In this regard, measures such the Census of Population, Census of Agriculture and Implementing the 988 Suicide Prevention Line have explicit responsive approaches that expand language availability beyond English and French. Digital divides also function as significant barriers for those groups with low levels of digital literacy and poor access to the internet, and those with disabilities. In response, the government balances its need to modernize and expand its services, while ensuring that accessibility accommodations are made for all groups facing barriers. As an example, the Citizenship Act Modernization recognizes that not all applicants are able to submit applications electronically, so options to submit paper-based applications would still be maintained.

Target Population

Chart 3
Share of Budget Investments by Target Population
($ value of measures*)
Chart 3: Share of Budget Investments by Target Population

*Excluding Tax Fairness and Savings Measures

Text version
Target Population Total 6-Year Accrual
All Canadians 7,247
Specific Region/Sector 22,327
Other Subgroups 7,292
Indigenous Peoples 7,302
Persons with Disabilities -
Low- and Middle-income** Canadians, without Dental insurance 7,315
All Canadians (Healthcare) 21,731

Targeted investments support equity, by taking into account the needs of specific populations. While a sizable share of Budget 2023 investments (40 per cent) target all Canadians, several investments focus on specific regions and sectors, or specific populations, such as Indigenous people, Black and racialized people, and persons with disabilities. People that are most likely to experience inequities accessing oral health care will benefit in particular from the Canadian Dental Care Plan and the Oral Health Access Fund. These populations include lower-income people, people living in rural and remote areas, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Budgetary investments in specific sectors or regions (30 per cent) include Investment Tax Credits for Clean Energy, Clean Technology Manufacturing, Clean Hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage to support Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment, investments such as the Renewal of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program help fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processors to adopt clean technology in order to reduce their environmental impacts and develop more sustainable business practices.

Given the vulnerability of oceans to climate change, the Marine Spatial Planning Program will benefit the marine sector and coastal communities, where 6.5 million people or 17.5 per cent of the Canadian population live, by providing clarity over where and when sustainable marine economic activities (e.g. marine shipping, renewable energy production, etc.) can take place. All Canadians benefit from investments in the clean economy and environmental protection, especially those most vulnerable to climate change including women, Indigenous people, and people in rural and coastal communities.

Overall investments that target Indigenous people account for ten per cent of Budget 2023. This includes a significant new investment to implement a co-developed and Indigenous-led Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy that will support communities experiencing elevated incidences of core housing need.

Black and racialized people will also benefit from budget investments. The Action Plan for Black Employees in the Public Service will provide targeted supports for Black federal public servants who have disproportionately experienced harassment, racism, and discrimination in the workplace. Investments in the Anti-Racism Strategy will also benefit Black and racialized people.

Expected Benefits: Gender

Chart 4
Share of Budget Investments by Gender
($ value of measures*)
Chart 4: Share of Budget Investments by Gender

*Excluding Tax Fairness and Savings Measures

Text version
Gender 6-Year Total
Other Gender Balanced 20,344
Health Funding for Provinces & Territories 22,731
Clean Electricity 6,300
Women 1,665
Dental Care (Indirectly Benefits Women) 7,316
Men 8,834
Clean Tech Projects, Clean Hydrogen, CCUS (Indirectly Benefits Men) 6,323
Total (Excluding Blanks) 73,513

A significant share of measures (67 per cent) in Budget 2023 are “gender balanced”—that is, they are not expected to disproportionately benefit either men or women. For instance, all Canadians, regardless of gender, would benefit from improvements in the health care system resulting from health transfers to provinces and territories. Health care workers, who are disproportionately women, will especially benefit.

Investments in health care also tend to benefit women as a result of their greater likelihood of taking on informal caregiver roles, when health and social services fail. Women, who are already paid less on average due to the gender pay gap, feel the pinch from inflation more, making programs like $10-a-day child care all the more important.

Women are often the ones to take on additional household labour to make things work in their families. For example, in 2022, women were significantly more likely than men to provide care for a child or care-dependent adult (52 per cent vs 42 per cent).

A significant share of Budget 2023 measures (about 19 per cent) are expected to primarily have benefits that skew towards men, while 12 per cent of investments will primarily benefit women. This relative difference is reflective of gender imbalances in key sectors of focus in this budget, notably the areas supporting the transition to clean growth and construction, which are currently dominated by men. The federal government is working to increase gender balance in these sectors. For example, since 2018, federal investments in apprenticeship training have promoted inclusion of and accessibility for women (as well as persons with disabilities, Black and racialized people, and Indigenous people). Further examples of targeted interventions are highlighted in the section on responsive approaches and individual measures are discussed in detail in the Impacts Report.

Moreover, these investments —in building a clean economy for the 21st century— will ultimately create economic opportunities and improved quality of life that benefit all Canadians, including women. Economic opportunity is key to women’s prosperity, especially their ability to find safety from intimate partner violence. Women are also especially vulnerable to climate change and will particularly benefit from a clean economy.

The share of Budget 2023 measures that skew towards benefitting men is also a function of gender representation in the areas targeted for additional support. For example, the Substance Use and the Overdose Crisis measure will directly benefit men, as data show that men, and disproportionately Indigenous men, are most impacted by substance use-related harms and opioid-related deaths. These measures will also indirectly improve the lives of women. For example, substance abuse can play a role in intimate partner violence. In addition, women represent a significant portion of the health care workforce, which delivers substance use programs and services. Similarly, men are overrepresented in the criminal justice system (over 95 per cent), with higher incidence of incarceration for Black and Indigenous people, who are therefore expected to benefit from the Creation of a Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission. Men of working age, with less education, including those who are racialized, are also more likely to engage in precarious work in the gig sector and thus to benefit from job protections in this sector.

In addition to the share of investments that predominantly benefit women in the near to medium term, over the longer term an even greater number of measures have significant scope to directly and indirectly advance gender equality for women. In aggregate, Budget 2023 sustains the government’s approach to investments that support gender equality and reinforces previous investments that continue to reduce gender inequalities. Measures such as corporate governance diversity disclosures will directly benefit designated employment equity groups including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and Black and racialized people. The introduction of labour protection mechanisms related to workers experiencing a pregnancy loss, and improvements in access to abortion and other sexual and reproductive health care, will specifically benefit women and improve their health and well-being over the immediate and longer term.

Expected Benefits: Additional Characteristics

Chart 5
Direct and Indirect Benefits by Subgroup, Number of Measures
Chart 5: Direct and Indirect Benefits by Subgroup, Number of Measures
Text version
Beneficiary Count
2SLGBTQI+ 19
Disability 40
Indigenous 68
Black or Racialized 38
Rural and Remote 38
Urban 8
Newcomers or Immigrant 23
Lone Parent 7

Through an assessment of direct and indirect impacts, a number of Budget 2023 measures will benefit Indigenous people, Black and racialized people, people living in rural and remote areas, and persons with disabilities.

For persons with disabilities, investments such as Extending the Qualifying Family Members Provision for the Registered Disability Savings Plan and Improving Canada Student Grants and Loans will help encourage and enable full participation in the opportunities that can tangibly advance their economic livelihoods.

Households in the North have unequal access to housing compared to the rest of Canadians. To reduce this inequality, particular attention to the vulnerabilities facing Northern communities is highlighted in investments supporting an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. In 2021 Census data, while ten per cent of households in Canada were in core housing need, the share of households in core housing need was as high as 32 per cent in Nunavut. Furthermore, Indigenous people were almost three times more likely to live in a dwelling in need of major repairs compared to the non-Indigenous population. In addition to lack of acceptable housing, Northern, Indigenous, and remote communities also face unique challenges when it comes to food security. Through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund Top-Up, the government is helping support community-led efforts to build the infrastructure needed to produce, store, and deliver locally sourced food in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, investments in housing mean Northerners will not have to choose between paying for rent or buying groceries.

Other Indigenous-focused investments that also benefit populations in rural and remote areas include the National Benefits-Sharing Framework, which is aimed at improving the quality and consistency of benefits that Indigenous communities derive from major natural resource projects in their territories. The Canada Infrastructure Bank will also provide loans to Indigenous communities across the country, including rural and remote communities, to support them in purchasing equity stakes in infrastructure projects in which the Bank is also investing, which will provide economic benefits and opportunities for self-determination.

Intergenerational and Income Distribution Impacts

Chart 6
Expected Intergenerational Benefits
Share of Budget 2023 Investments ($ value of measures*)
Chart 6: Expected Intergenerational Benefits Share of Budget 2023 Investments ($ value of measures*)

*Excluding Tax Fairness and Savings Measures

Text version
Row Labels Count 6-Year Total %Total
No significant distributional impacts 105 31,611 43%
Somewhat benefits high income individuals (somewhat regressive) 30 20,204 27%
Somewhat benefits low income individuals (somewhat progressive) 61 16,498 22%
Strongly benefits low income individuals (strongly progressive) 13 5,200 7%

A substantial proportion of the budget measures will benefit lower-income Canadians, and particularly those at risk of extreme vulnerability. The Grocery Rebate will benefit low- and modest-income people and families, with disproportionate positive impacts for single parents, and in particular single mothers. Data shows that single households and single-parent families are more likely to have lower incomes than couples. Another example is amendments to the Criminal Code to lower the criminal rate of interest will allow Canadians who use very high interest loans and payday loans—including low-income Canadians, Indigenous people, recent immigrants, and women—to benefit from a lower cost of borrowing. The remainder of investments are not expected to have significant distributional impacts.

The majority of new Budget 2023 investments will carry benefits across all age categories, reflective of this budget’s focus on transformative investments in a low carbon economy and in health, which are expected to bring long-term and broad-based benefits to all Canadians.  Young people and future generations in particular will benefit from action to improve the environment, grow the economy and maintain a sustainable fiscal posture, but these investments will benefit working age Canadians and seniors as well.

Over the longer term, investments in Official Languages and to fight Systemic Racism, Discrimination, and Hate will also help future generations benefit from a society that is diverse and inclusive. For seniors, intersectional factors such as living in a one-person household or having a disability may worsen their vulnerability to health and financial challenges, such that they benefit from affordability measures like the Grocery Rebate that are intended to benefit Canadians of all ages. The new budget measures that are identified as uniquely benefitting seniors are in addition to existing spending decisions, that already benefit seniors. Table A1.7 shows that federal spending on senior benefits is projected to grow by $6.8 billion in 2023-24 relative to 2022-23 levels, none of which is accounted for as “new” budget measures, but all of which represents new spending that will benefit seniors.

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