ARCHIVED – Canada Energy Regulator – 2019–20 Departmental Results Report – Supplementary information tables

In 2019–20 organizational efforts to increase GBA+ capacity included the following:

The implementation of GBA+ requirements in the CER Act-which includes but is not limited to training of Commissioners and staff assessing applications submitted under the CER Act.

The launch of a GBA+ Community of Practice-this community focuses on raising awareness of GBA+ across the organization, participants learn from each other and provide support, when requested, to staff in applying GBA+ to their work.

To determine training and development needs for staff at the CER, research and data collection is conducted regularly. This has included reviewing key documents (research of COVID-19 impacts on the Canadian workforce, internal records of consultation sessions, internal communications and return to office plan and risk assessments and conducting GBA+ Pulse Surveys, to name a few. Comparative analysis based on interviews and information exchange with peer organizations at the federal levels, including Women and Gender Equality, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and CER internal stakeholder groups, is an additional component of our collaborative and inclusive approach toward ensuring CER staff are being provided learning and development opportunities. This all in support of the CER Act and increasing GBA+ capacity at the CER. Additionally, the CER will continue to consider GBA+ and inclusivity lens in guidance and policy development throughout the CER.

Ongoing efforts to assess data needs occurs at the Program activity level. As part of the Transforming Data and Information Management Focus Area, several initiatives were implemented to unlock data trapped within the text of CER documents-a process that will help prevent future harm, enhance regulatory transparency, facilitate future analytical projects and enhance engagement.

In 2019–20 the following GBA+ efforts were implemented within the Infrastructure, Tolls and Export Applications Program:

There are GBA+ requirements for assessment in the CER Act. Section 183.2 (c) of CER Act outlines what factors need to be considered in Commission recommendations to the Minister such as health, social and economic effects, including with respect to the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors.

GBA+ training was developed and then delivered for staff who assess applications

Development of internal GBA+ guidance for staff began with completion expected in 2020–21.

Filing guidance was issued on assessing GBA+ requirements in applications and the CER started assessing applications using this guidance.

Data collection for GBA+ information in applications is recorded through the CER’s regulatory database (REGDOCS) along with how the results of the assessment are addressed.

Safety and oversight activities are not expected to negatively impact Canadians from identifiable groups. Specific conditions placed on an applicant relating to GBA+ matters in the application assessment process are enforced in subsequent safety oversight activity and the CER assesses the need to address data gaps related to gender disaggregated data.

The CER conducts a GBA+ analysis pursuant to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation for its regulatory development projects. The CER works to strengthen its regulatory framework by assessing the impact that proposed regulations could have on Canadians from identifiable groups. Communications with regulated industry uses gender-neutral terms and promotes gender-neutral terminology.

In 2019–20 GBA+ efforts within the Regulatory Framework Program included:

Development of work instructions for regulatory instruments began in 2019–20 with completion targeted for 2020–21.

As part of the plan-do-check-adjust cycle within the CER’s management system, considerations were identified on how to make the program more transparent, accessible and better understood for a broader audience.

In 2019–20 GBA+ efforts within the Company Performance Program included:

Expanding the Indigenous Monitors program so more CER-regulated projects could benefit from Indigenous knowledge during their construction (this was a joint-effort with the Engagement Core Responsibility)

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The CER assesses how groups of women, men and gender-diverse people may experience engagement on policies, programs and projects differently. The CER seeks to understand and build better and more enduring relationships with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders, and will continue to build its capacity to collect and test feedback from engagement efforts to support its GBA+ approach. This work will be carried out in a respectful manner, ensuring that the privacy of Canadians is protected.

In 2019–20 GBA+ efforts within the Stakeholder Engagement Program included:

A review of data being captured and whether it provided meaningful information on whether the program was being effective for Canadians.

This review was part of the plan-do-check-adjust cycle in the CER’s management system and it was determined that more meaningful data was required to inform effective program delivery, which includes GBA+ work.

As a result, in 2020–21, the CER Stakeholder Engagement Program refined their program indicators and methodology to collect data that better supports decision-making in carrying out program activities.

In 2019–20 GBA+ efforts within the Indigenous Engagement Program included:

Implementing the Indigenous Cultural Competency Initiative-providing staff, Board of Directors, and Commissioners with a framework to work with Indigenous Peoples (includes but is not limited to-guidance, training, awareness building)

 Expanding the Indigenous Monitors program so more CER-regulated projects could benefit from Indigenous knowledge during their construction (this was a joint-effort with the Safety and Environment Oversight Core Responsibility)