Gender-based Analysis Plus

Program goals

Federal Policing Criminal Operations and Federal Policing National Security continued to liaise and collaborate to raise awareness of GBA Plus within their program areas.

Target population

All Canadians

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Federal Policing Investigations promoted several initiatives aimed towards improving inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals. During the year, the program committed to and established the foundation to launch a domestic Women in National Security Network and partnered with Women in National Security Global to develop a Five Eyes network and professional development program. These networks and programs were targeted toward raising awareness of the importance of representation, increasing networking, and investing in women leaders in National Security. Through these efforts, Federal Policing Investigations bolstered the RCMP’s broader recruitment efforts to increase diverse representation in National Security.

To support the well-being of RCMP employees, the program developed a health wellness application aimed to provide access to resources to current and retired employees and their families. Expected to roll out as a beta version in May 2025, the application is a confidential resource available 24/7 that provides retired employees and their families with mental health information, self-assessment tools, and tips on building sustainable wellness habits. The program also dedicated specific resources and training to support employees involved in Proactive Support Response, which provides peer-to-peer support for employees involved in potentially traumatic situations. To equip RCMP employees to best serve and protect all Canadians, the program launched a new Terrorism Financing course, which was built through a GBA Plus lens and principles. In addition, a learning designer was hired to draft the first RCMP Foreign Actor Interference specialized training and to incorporate GBA Plus and cultural awareness into the development of the plan.

Throughout the year, the program also engaged in several initiatives to provide Canadians with resources to protect themselves. To educate diaspora communities on the risk of foreign interference, the RCMP hosted several awareness and outreach initiatives with a focus on transnational repression activities and the rights that diaspora communities have in Canada. To support victims of crime, the department approved the framework for the National Centre of Expertise to Support Victims of Terrorism and Mass Casualty Incidents, which included education on the unique impacts of terrorism on marginalized groups and contributed towards enhancing the RCMP’s victim’s response and support program.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

Federal Policing Intelligence considers the impact of personal characteristics when collecting, evaluating, and analyzing intelligence. GBA Plus is not considered during the reporting and dissemination phases of the intelligence cycle, however, as the focus at that point is on informing tactics or strategy to reduce the impacts of criminality on Canadian society.

Target population

Not available

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not available

GBA Plus data collection plan

Federal Policing Intelligence collected data on personal characteristics, culture, context of crime and crime types as a part of its regular operations. It also sought to consider GBA Plus principles in all hiring practices. In 2024-25, specific strategies to collect GBA Plus data had not yet been developed or utilized.

Program goals

Protective operations operated in a distinct environment servicing multiple level of protected persons integrating GBA Plus in its threat and risk analysis daily in relation to its clients. All level of protective operations, from training, to equipment, and operational procedures, utilized a GBA Plus lens to ensure that risks were identified and that mitigation strategies were in place for both members and clients.

Target population

All Canadians, international protected persons, and protective members.

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Protective Operations benefited from RCMP-wide governance and staffing updates designed to reduce discrimination and promote inclusivity and well-being. To normalize conversations around well-being and reduce stigma related to seeking support in the high-demand operational environment, the program reinforced wellness messaging through leadership communications and operational briefings. Well-being was further supported through the promotion of wellness resources including Employee Assistance Programs, peer support resources and mental health resources, all designed to foster a supportive and resilient workplace. These combined efforts contributed to the gradual reduction of systemic barriers and helped reinforce a culture of fairness, transparency, and inclusion across Protective Operations.

Protective Operations continued to advance GBA Plus principles through its staffing and recruitment practices. A key initiative was the development of a new candidate assessment tool designed to evaluate applicants based on capability and understanding of protective work. The tool was created to remove unconscious bias from the selection process and support the inclusion of racialized individuals, women, Indigenous Peoples, and other underrepresented groups in protective roles. These efforts aimed to ensure a fair, merit-based approach that expands access to specialized opportunities within the program.

Women accounted for 11% of RCMP Close Protection Officers across Canada. While 2024-25 saw an influx of new positions within the program, the gender ratio remained unaffected overall when compared to 2023-24.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Federal Policing is an operational business line that relies on the RCMP records management systems for data collection. During the reporting period, systems utilized were not yet designed with the correct fields to capture gender-based data. Instead, they collected data on biological sex markers as opposed to self-expressed gender identity. The RCMP is in the process of modernizing its systems to accurately and effectively capture gender-based data. As the information systems begin to evolve, Federal Policing will improve its ability to capture and report on gender-based data.

Program goals

The RCMP’s international program leads and enables the Canadian law enforcement community’s efforts to reduce risks to Canadians and our allies and strengthen the rule of law globally so that others can do so too.

Target population

Canadian and foreign law enforcement agencies, as well as affected populations in states where Canadian law enforcement and security institutions engage.

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: Broadly gender-balanced

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Canadian personnel from the RCMP International program incorporated Gender-Based Analysis Plus, seeking opportunities to train women police officers in foreign countries to increase their participation in missions and integration of gender considerations in all its activities. During the fiscal year, the program maintained a 34% participation rate for women participating in all peace operations missions and further supported equitable opportunities through the promotion of 5 women in key leadership and strategic position within peace and stabilization missions.

To prepare, support, and care for those deployed internationally, under the Canadian Police Arrangement for Peace Operations (including their families), the International Deployment Wellness Program was created.

During the program, members benefit from a post-deployment wellness and reintegration approach designed to ensure a safe and healthy transition back to life in Canada.

To enhance the ability of Canadian police officers deployed to peace operations to deliver gender-sensitive programming, International Operations delivered GBA Plus and Women, Peace and Security training to all personnel deployed to peace operations. The session included gender roles, gender mainstreaming, international instruments, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and RCMP targets related to international deployments.

Internationally, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canadian personnel deployed to the MONUSCO Specialized Police Teams in the cities of Bunia and Goma conducted 12 awareness activities on sexual and gender-based violence, child protection, and human rights, in collaboration with the Congolese National Police and gender units. The teams also conducted 49 mentoring sessions with more than 30 judicial police officers from various divisions who worked on 12 sexual and gender-based violence cases. The RCMP also continued to promote similar education and guidance to officers in other foreign nations.

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2024-25, International Operations updated the Individual Triannual Report Survey to better capture information related to gender and Women, Peace and Security. In this revision, the program included additional items relating to the inclusion of gender perspectives in the development and delivery of training, the provision of Women, Peace and Security expertise, activities related to Canada’s commitments on Women, Peace and Security and contributions to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

To assist in assessing the long-term effects of peacekeeping deployments, International Operations equally implemented 2 new post-deployment surveys to track the benefits of peacekeeping deployments for both the personnel that participated in peacekeeping deployments and their home agencies. The tools were utilized to assess short and long-term improvements in the levels of skill and competency levels of International Policing Program personnel returning from peacekeeping deployments.

Program goals

As 1 of 5 programs governed by Federal Policing, the Federal Policing National Governance program focused on strengthening leadership, accountability, and internal governance through enhanced employee development and the adoption of best practices. Within this broader mandate, GBA Plus was strategically applied to key areas such as workforce modernization and operational policy development.

The program used GBA Plus to identify and mitigate potential barriers in workplace policies, ensuring equitable access and participation for all employees, particularly those from underrepresented or marginalized groups. This included reviewing internal processes through a GBA Plus lens to promote inclusive leadership development and support a more diverse and representative workforce.

These efforts contributed to the organizational shared objective to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Target population

The Federal Policing National Governance program applies an intersectional GBA Plus lens to its internal governance and workforce initiatives. While the program does not target a specific population, it dedicates resources toward ensuring that all Federal Policing employees — particularly those from equity-deserving and underrepresented groups — benefit equitably from leadership development, policy modernization, and governance reforms.

By using disaggregated data and engaging with diverse internal stakeholders, for example, the Governance program worked to identify, prevent, and remove systemic barriers that could affect employees based on gender, age, race, sexual orientation, disability, and other identity factors.

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 inter-generational impacts or impacts between youth and seniors

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Federal Policing advanced its commitment to GBA Plus by reviewing internal processes and promoting inclusive practices across staffing, recruitment, performance management and decision-making. A key focus was on identifying systemic barriers that limited participation or advancement for underrepresented groups.

To build internal capacity, Federal Policing established a GBA Plus working group to share best practices and support integration of GBA Plus principles across the program. In parallel, an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resource guide was developed to support hiring managers in applying inclusive practices through staffing and recruitment processes. These initiatives were supported by targeted efforts to counter unconscious bias and promote diverse hiring practices.

While no new well-being services were developed in 2024-25, the program promoted the uptake of existing supports to help reduce stigma around help-seeking, remind staff of available tools and reinforce a culture of care and psychological safety.

Collectively, these actions strengthened the program’s ability to recognize and respond to diverse needs, reduce barriers to participation, and embed GBA Plus considerations into its core activities and culture.

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2024-25, Federal Policing National Governance conducted a data quality review to improve the consistency, accuracy, and availability of key GBA Plus information. This initiative aimed to strengthen the foundation for evidence-based and equitable decision-making by identifying data gaps and improving data collection practices.

The review supported efforts to:

• Improve the reliability of disaggregated data across employee groups
• Enable more targeted analysis of systemic barriers and inclusion outcomes
• Inform the development of inclusive policies and staffing strategies

This work laid the groundwork for more robust GBA Plus integration across governance and workforce modernization initiatives.

Program goals

The Canadian Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services program works with law enforcement and criminal justice partners to combat firearm smuggling/trafficking and the illegal use of firearms through firearms identification, tracing, investigative support and training.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, the Canadian Firearms Program considered accessibility and inclusion while planning training sessions and workshops. This included strategically selecting accessible training rooms and facilities with universal access to accommodate participants with disabilities affecting movement. In addition, the program ensured that seats near screens or instructors were reserved for participants with visual or hearing impairments.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada supports access to justice and combats gender-based violence by conducting intelligence assessments on serious and organized crime group activity. This includes intelligence products on illicit drug markets, street gangs, and firearms violence. These assessments help equip policing services with the intelligence needed to effectively allocate resources to combat organized crime in communities across Canada.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Criminal Intelligence Service Canada modified the Canadian Criminal Intelligence System by expanding categorization options for gender and race data. The unit also continued to advance GBA Plus principles through its staffing and recruitment practices. To support the program’s commitment to GBA Plus, employees completed training on topics including on GBA Plus, Positive Space Ambassadors, and conflict resolution. Throughout the year, women were strongly represented in upper management, with 8 out of 15 leadership positions being held by women.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

Forensic Science and Identification Services works nationally and internationally to provide support through forensic science services, crime scene forensic identification, fingerprint identification, criminal record repositories and the National DNA Data Bank. The program is committed to ensuring GBA Plus is integrated within program culture by developing a GBA Plus Advisory Committee and prioritizing sensitivity and inclusion in all training.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-2025, Forensic Science and Identification Services advanced GBA Plus though strategic planning and data collection. Through its Canadian Police Information Centre, the program updated gender categories and enhanced narrative fields to support culturally relevant investigations, especially in cases of missing persons.

The program’s proactive human resource strategy has contributed to a 35% representation of women working in Forensic Identification Services. From a leadership standpoint, 50% of divisional managers and officer-level positions across the country are currently held by women.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

The Canadian Police College kept pace with shifting demands in law enforcement for specialized training and leadership development opportunities. The College helped address the increased need for expertise in the workforce that is reflective of increasingly diverse policing and communities in Canada by increasing access to specialized training.

Target population

Law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Second group: 60% to 79% men

By income level

Third group: No significant distributional impacts

By age group

Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts between youth and seniors

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Canadian Police College advanced key initiatives in Gender-Based Analysis Plus, cultural competence, and equity, diversity, and inclusion to strengthen its workforce in 2024-25. Throughout the year, the College continued its speaker series, including a presentation from a partner police service on femicide. In a different educational series, an employee was hired to lead the development of educational material focused on leadership, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, the College hosted a symposium and forum on hate crime in March 2025, further enhancing cultural competence and fostering discussions on critical social issues.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus considerations were embedded into academic standards, learning, and development processes. For example, course instructors and subject matter resources selection ensured that gender and diversity issues were addressed. Several courses highlighted inclusive practices, with significant female representation among subject matter resources.

Additionally, a lecture on gangs was delivered by a subject matter resource from a partner police service in western Canada, focusing on the importance of building partnerships with Indigenous groups to improve police-public relations and enhance community safety. Throughout course delivery, inclusivity was emphasized, with open doors for students to discuss any concerns. The course selection process remained inclusive with no gender or geographic discrimination and candidates were selected based on operational needs and criteria.

A Truth and Reconciliation course was designed during this reporting period, offered beginning in May 2025. Additional courses will be cross-listed under the Professional Development Centre for Indigenous Policing (PDCIP). All courses under this Program aim to expand learning opportunities that enhance officers’ understanding of Indigenous issues and reconciliation efforts. The course was developed by an Indigenous officer in collaboration with Indigenous community members and in consultation with the Canadian Police College’s Indigenous Cultural Advisor.

Finally, the Canadian Police College undertook several initiatives to structure, analyze, and store data in accordance with best practices in information management and recordkeeping requirements.

GBA Plus data collection plan

While no specific gender data was collected, end-of-course surveys provide valuable feedback on course content, delivery, and campus facilities. This feedback was used to improve the products and services offered by the college. Additionally, the college explored supportive technologies to ensure the governance, privacy, and transparency of data collection and tracking methods, safeguarding the privacy of clients and stakeholders.

Program goals

Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services integrates GBA Plus into all aspects of its program areas and advances initiatives that combat crimes of interpersonal violence, including online child sexual exploitation, interpersonal crimes, and missing persons. The branch worked to optimize systems to collect more specific data, identify trends, and report on impacts by gender as it currently collects statistics related to several gender-based violence crimes, such as online child sexual exploitation, missing persons/unidentified remains, and serious violent and sexual crimes.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

By gender

Third group: Broadly gender-balanced

By age group

First group: primarily benefits youth, children or future generations

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Sensitive and Specialized Investigative Services enhanced the reporting mechanism within the case management system specific to online child sexual exploitation investigations. Within the system, the program streamlined data input processes, supported more automated and accurate national statistics on these offences and identified Canadian victims uploaded to the International Child Sexual Exploitation Database. In collaboration with their research and intelligence units, the program was able to effectively identify trends, enhancing its ability to report on impacts by gender, and contributing toward its ability to improve law enforcement responses based on observed trends. During the reporting period, Canada increased the number of identified Canadian victims uploaded to the International Child Sexual Exploitation Database, managed by INTERPOL, by approximately 21% (693) from 3,353 to 4,046 identifications and uploads) to further support investigations and minimize duplication of efforts.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

Specialized Technical Investigative Services is composed of 3 branches: Air Services, Protective Technical Services and Technical Investigative Services. In 2024-25, the service line continued to ensure GBA Plus was integrated into program policies and explored opportunities to include GBA Plus within more facets of the program.

Target population

Law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Specialized Technical Investigative Services committed to the continued utilization of GBA Plus in the implementation of processes, projects and other initiatives. The unit also continued to advance GBA Plus principles through its staffing and recruitment practices.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available

Program goals

Departmental Security continued to implement GBA Plus and strived to remove unconscious biases in the development and maintenance of security policies, standards, security consultations, and guidance to all stakeholders. The program continued to enhance GBA Plus awareness to facilitate integration within program culture and business processes.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, Departmental Security significantly increased the number of employees who have completed recommended GBA Plus courses. The program regularly held discussions on unconscious bias, and employees were encouraged to confront their biases through peer reviews. Consultation and review of all publications ensured that the input of stakeholders was prioritized locally, regionally, nationally, and within the RCMP. This work ensured the inclusion of diverse perspectives and allowed concerns noted during the development process to be promptly addressed.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Departmental Security consulted with the RCMP’s GBA Plus Centre of Expertise during the process of updating security questionnaire screening forms. Using the guidance and advice provided, the program also began a full-scale review of all security screening related forms and other materials.

Program goals

Operational Information Management/Information Technology Services worked to incorporate GBA Plus in the design and delivery of business services such as digital solutions and strived to enhance the well-being and equitable outcomes for all program employees.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Launched in 2024, the RCMP race-based data collection pilot used a collaborative approach to guide the development of a data foundation in the RCMP. The development of this system enabled the curation and cleaning of operational and race-based data, which improved data quality. The program also ensured access to sensitive data was limited and proper governance over the usage of data was in place. In addition, the pilot included the creation of an analytics toolkit connected to the data foundation, which was used to upskill key analysts on the use of these modern tools. Throughout the year, the RCMP implemented a new data governance program to address current and future data challenges, opportunities, risks, and innovation relating to both race-based and organizational data. The program created a roadmap to enable the release of tools that leveraged online platforms to provide the public with consultation opportunities on race-based data collection.

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2024-25, the program drafted standard GBA Plus clauses and shared them with Public Services and Procurement Canada for inclusion in RCMP IT professional services contract biding materials. Efforts also continue to incorporate an educational component on the importance of GBA Plus assessments in digital projects and initiatives, both at intake and during project stages of the Project Management Framework.

Program goals

The Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration program oversees the administration of the Firearms Act and related regulations. In 2024-25, applied GBA Plus to better inform the implementation of regulatory changes and improvements to service delivery to its clients. In addition, the program integrated a GBA Plus approach throughout the planning, design and delivery of the Canadian Firearms Digital Services Solution to enhance and create greater accessibility of services and expanding its reach.

Target population

All Canadians and law enforcement

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Not available

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In 2024-25, the Canadian Firearms Licensing and Registration program supported the development of the Canadian Firearms Digital Services Solution by conducting 11 usability testing sessions. These sessions were specific to the instructor and Service Delivery Agent communities. Both services were tested by users with varying degrees of comfort with technology. Additionally, based on a limited data set, the Canadian Firearms Program identified a higher than anticipated system rejection of firearms licence applications requested. Investigating further, the program consulted demographic data to aid in the identification of gaps in application completion.

GBA Plus data collection plan

As part of the Canadian Firearms Program review of service delivery and continuous improvement, the program used demographic information to plan course deliveries that were matched to the needs of the communities in which the deliveries were planned. For example, it was determined based on feedback that there was demand in northern communities for women-only firearms safety courses. In response, the program delivered women only trainings, an initiative that was deemed successful by the hosting communities. In addition, a survey for users of the MyCFP Portal was developed. Sent upon successful submission of an application, the survey provides clients with the opportunity to share feedback on their experience with the MyCFP Portal. This allows the Canadian Firearms Program to develop and introduce enhancements based on user feedback.

Program goals

The National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) collects victim reports of cybercrime and fraud at a national level, including optional indicators applicable to gender and diversity. Optional victim indicators, such as age, gender, ethnicity and language, are used to inform strategic and operational measures to combat cybercrime, including victim outreach, prevention and other activities.

Target population

Canadian victims of cybercrime and fraud

Distribution of benefits

Not available

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System collected GBA Plus-related information from victims who voluntarily chose to share it. The data included markers on gender, languages spoken, age, ethnicity, and indigenous identity. Full implementation of the National Cybercrime Solution and the National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System is now planned for 2025-26.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Not available