Canada Energy Regulator – 2023–24 Departmental Results Report – Supplementary Information Tables - Gender-based analysis plus
| Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity | |
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| Governance | |
The CER continued advancing GBA Plus practices within the organization and assessed options for governance and resources to support capacity building, monitoring, reporting and application of GBA Plus practices in program delivery. |
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| Capacity | |
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| Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus | |
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The CER employs a decentralized approach with dedicated staff in each program coordinating GBA Plus related activities. GBA Plus is integrated into all CER program activities and not tracked or quantified as a separate role/effort. |
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| Energy Adjudication Core Responsibility | |||||||||||||
Program Infrastructure, Tolls and Export Applications |
Program goals The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) makes decisions and recommendations to the Governor in Council on applications, which include impact assessments, using processes that are fair, transparent, timely, and accessible. Target population This program predominantly focuses on the review of energy projects. As such, the target population of the program includes the following:
The majority of the energy projects occur in Western Canada. Distribution of benefits Not available. This is a regulatory program, not service or transfer payment focused. While some activities or projects may be possible to disaggregate out by identity factors, there is no one focus group for the main outcome of this overall program. This is a stable program integrated into normal operations. As such, no large fluctuations are expected, while continual and incremental improvement continues. Key program impacts on gender and diversity Key program impact statistics
Other key program impacts Reconciliation, a Strategic Priority for the CER in 2023-24, continues to be a main focus for all of the CER’s core responsibilities. The CER is undertaking increasing number of activities to engage with Indigenous communities and organizations and continuing to explore ways in which to accommodate preferences to maximize participation in CER adjudicative processes. There are GBA Plus requirements for assessment in the CER Act. Section 183.2 (c) of CER Act outlines what factors need to be considered for pipelines in Commission recommendations to the Minister. Similar requirements for offshore renewable energy can be found in Section 298.3 (a) and for international power lines in Section 262.2(c). Filing guidance has been issued on assessing GBA Plus requirements in applications and staff assess applications using this guidance. In 2023-24, all applications submitted for physical projects were assessed against guidance. These actions support the Minister’s mandate to apply GBA Plus in decision-making. The CER continues to provide staff with training to ensure that people are competent and qualified to provide GBA Plus analysis. Ensuring Socio-Economic Analysts in the Energy Adjudication core responsibility are skilled in conducting social impact assessments, with equity considerations playing a central role, is an important part of individual professional development. The CER’s Hearing Managers, Process Advisors, and Socio-Economic Specialists help ensure that the CER’s early engagement activities, Alternative Dispute Resolution services, and adjudicative processes (including Indigenous knowledge sessions) are accessible to diverse groups, including women, men, gender-diverse, and underrepresented people. The Crown Consultation Team has worked to build relationships with Indigenous Peoples, establishing meaningful consultation processes that are respectful of the uniqueness of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. The CER’s Crown consultation approach is flexible to individual Indigenous communities’ preferences for consultation. Participant funding supports greater public participation and access to adjudicative proceedings and related early engagement and/or Crown consultation, specifically the participation of Indigenous Peoples, landowners and not-for-profit organizations potentially affected by projects being reviewed though the Infrastructure, Tolls and Tariffs program. Participant funding awards (Grants and Contributions) are reported publicly, as per the Guidelines on the Reporting of Grants and Contributions Awards, on the Government of Canada’s Open Data Portal. Supplementary information sources
GBA Plus data collection plan Tracking of Regulatory GBA Plus Outputs: The program is tracking regulatory output related to GBA Plus considerations within the Infrastructure, Tolls and Export Applications program:
Staff Review of Projects:
Participant Funding:
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Safety and Environment Oversight Core Responsibility |
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Program Company Performance |
Program goals CER regulated companies operate facilities in compliance with regulatory requirements and project specific conditions throughout the full lifecycle. As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, resources focus on adherence by companies to legal requirements in relevant legislation and/or legal instruments. The Company Performance program interacts with and supports other CER programs which include GBA Plus considerations. Target population This program supports on-going engagement, through the Stakeholder Engagement and Indigenous Engagement programs, with:
Distribution of benefits Not Available Specific demographic group outcomes Not Available Key program impacts on gender and diversity This program applies a GBA Plus lens to the planning and implementation of compliance verification activities. This program actively works with Indigenous monitors to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into compliance verification, and the program includes the opportunity for “Indigenous-led” compliance verification activities. A GBA Plus lens was applied in several instances to focus compliance verification activities based on feedback from equity deserving groups related to concerns about harassment and personal safety. Capacity is also being developed through the creation of a new socio-economic compliance program to expand compliance verification planning to proactively assess and enhance responsiveness to socio-economic factors including GBA Plus. The program also supports collaboration with adjudication project review teams and the engagement teams to develop regulatory strategies for project lifecycle oversight, ensuring that socio-economic effects including impacts to Indigenous rights and interests and GBA Plus factors are monitored and managed by companies effectively. This approach aligns with the Safety and Environmental Oversight core responsibility, which emphasizes the importance of setting and enforcing regulatory expectations throughout the full lifecycle of a project, from planning to construction, operation, and abandonment. GBA Plus data collection plan As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, the Company Performance indicators and associated data are not currently structured in a way that benefits are clearly disaggregated by identity factors. | ||||||||||||
Program Emergency Management |
Program goals CER regulated companies are prepared for emergencies and if an event does occur, spills are cleaned up and contamination remediation is conducted in an efficient and effective manner. As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, resources focus on adherence by companies to legal requirements in relevant legislation and/or legal instruments. The Emergency Management program interacts with and supports other CER programs which include GBA Plus considerations. Target population This program supports ongoing engagement, through the Stakeholder Engagement and Indigenous Engagement programs, with:
Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Not available Key program impacts on gender and diversity Not available GBA Plus data collection plan As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, the Emergency Management indicators and associated data are not currently structured in a way that benefits are clearly disaggregated by identity factors. | ||||||||||||
Program Management System and Industry Performance |
Program goals CER regulated companies comply with regulatory companies to have a management system that identifies and controls hazards and risks. Companies demonstrate an improved commitment to mitigating threats, including those related to safety culture. As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, resources focus on adherence by companies to legal requirements in relevant legislation and/or legal instruments. The Management System and Industry Performance Program interacts with and supports other CER Programs which include GBA Plus considerations. Target population This program supports ongoing engagement, through the Stakeholder Engagement and Indigenous Engagement Programs, with:
Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Not available Key program impacts on gender and diversity Not available GBA Plus data collection plan As a regulatory infrastructure compliance program, the Management System and Industry Performance indicators and associated data are not currently structured in a way that benefits are clearly disaggregated by identity factors. | ||||||||||||
Program Regulatory Framework |
Program goals This program is intended to deliver a Regulatory Framework that is robust, clear, transparent, coherent, and consistent. We apply a GBA Plus lens to our Regulatory Framework in our approaches to regulatory development. Target population This program supports ongoing engagement with:
Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Not available Key program impacts on gender and diversity This program applies a GBA Plus lens to the development, implementation, and monitoring of regulatory initiatives. When changes to the Regulatory Framework are contemplated, the program undertakes a GBA Plus analysis to determine whether such changes could affect or be affected by GBA Plus considerations. The Regulatory Framework program continued to apply a GBA Plus lens to the Review of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR), based on feedback from Indigenous People, regulated companies, landowners and other stakeholders. A GBA Plus lens was applied during the first phase of engagement. Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders were asked how they wanted to be involved in the OPR Review, and engagement was adapted accordingly. Input was also received on GBA Plus matters through direct questions in a Discussion Paper. In addition, the CER administered funding for Indigenous Nations and Communities to participate in the review, resulting in an unprecedented level of response and involvement for a regulatory review process. In 2023-24, the CER continued to engage on updates to the OPR and to analyze the feedback that has been provided to date. Input received in the first phase of engagement has guided the CER in shaping and executing the second phase of the OPR engagement process, including expanding the scope of the engagement to reach other potentially impacted groups. Supplementary information sources
GBA Plus data collection plan The Regulatory Framework program will continue to build tools and processes that will help the CER gather, collate, report and measure GBA Plus impacts as they relate to the development and management of the CER’s Regulatory Framework and regulatory initiatives. The CER will continue to apply a GBA Plus lens through the OPR and Filings Manual Review and other upcoming regulatory development projects to ensure that diverse groups and views are engaged. Specific to the OPR and Filing Manuals Review, the CER is providing funding to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Review Process. The CER will ask funding applicants to describe any underrepresented people or intersectional representation they intend to include in their engagement. Proposals engaging with underrepresented communities and demographics, such as youth, women and Elders will be prioritized. |
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Energy Information Core Responsibility Programs |
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Program Energy System Information |
Program goals To provide accessible, relevant and timely energy information developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including federal partners and Indigenous Peoples, that support Canadians in their research or decision-making. Target population All Canadians Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Canadians will benefit from expert-informed content that can be read with a Grade 8-10 reading level; images and charts that are assisted with textual descriptions; and content that is featured in both English and French. Some digital information products that are older or are experimental may lack key accessibility features. Accessible and readable content is created using the Government of Canada’s Web Experience Toolkit (WET), and Style Guide, respectively. Key program impacts on gender and diversity With the goal of producing accessible and useful Energy Information for all Canadians, and to seek collaboration and feedback, key impacts to diversity for this program include: Global outreach for Canada’s Energy Future 2023 (EF2023) The CER was part of the Canadian delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and presented EF2023 at the Energy Sector Resilience Against Climate-Driven Disruptions event, an International Energy Agency-led panel discussion. Presenting the CER's Energy Futures work at COP28 was a unique and significant opportunity to increase global awareness of the CER and showcase its expertise in energy modelling to government agencies and global leaders. Increased access to energy modelling The Canada’s Energy Future series explores how possible energy futures might unfold for Canadians over the long term. A new supplement, “Canada’s Energy Future 2023 – Modelling Methods,” now describes in detail the inner workings of each model in the modelling system that drives this series. Additional rationale of this modelling is also provided for broader outreach in the Market Snapshot, “What is energy modelling, and how can it help...?". Informing Canadians of emergent factors in the energy transition Market Snapshots played a key role this year in magnifying hard-to-find information on Canada’s energy transition. This is exemplified in explanations and visualizations of greenhouse gas sources and sinks (“Managing nature can help reduce...”), recent and potential trends on renewable natural gas (“Two decades of growth in renewable natural gas...”), and the potential for geothermal energy in Canada (“Geothermal Power is stable and low carbon...”). Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples Through the CER’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence (SFNNRCOE), the CER has engaged in ongoing discussions and information sharing, working towards the co-creation of indigenous-informed energy information products. Supplementary information sources
GBA Plus data collection plan This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor impacts by gender and diversity. In 2023-24, the program ran a pilot to measure the experience of website visitors on one product in the program, the Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles. This pilot used a survey method endorsed by the Government of Canada called the “Task Success Survey,” and was open to all website visitors. Results identified areas for improvement across a diversity of needs and stakeholder groups and informed a wider approach to measurement. In 2023-24, the program supported Priority Area 3 for the CER’s Accessibility Plan 2023–25, by consulting with internal service partners who are leading this project, to establish a CER-specific assessment tool. | ||||||||||||
Program Pipeline Information |
Program goals To increase the transparency and accessibility of information about CER-regulated pipelines, so Canadians can better understand the context, regulation and impact of CER-regulated infrastructure. Target population All Canadians Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Canadians will benefit from expert-informed content that can be read with a Grade 8-10 reading level; images and charts that are assisted with textual descriptions; and content that is featured in both English and French. Some digital information products that are older or are experimental may lack key accessibility features. Accessible and readable content is created using the Government of Canada’s Web Experience Toolkit (WET), and Style Guide, respectively. Key program impacts on gender and diversity With the goal of increasing the transparency and accessibility of information about CER-regulated pipelines, key impacts to diversity for this program include: Diversity and access in pipeline maps The CER launched five new interactive pipeline maps in its Pipeline Profiles product. These maps feature Indigenous lands, reflecting Canada’s diverse populations and where they reside in relation to pipelines. Each map also has a full textual description of its contents to support machine-assisted readers, in accordance with the Government of Canada Style Guide. Informing and engaging Canadians on pipeline information The program has also engaged with many Canadians at tradeshow booths and in stakeholder and rightsholders meetings to raise awareness on pipeline information products and receive feedback for improvements. Outreach to broader audiences also includes analysis of unauthorized activities near CER-regulated pipelines. Supplementary information sources
GBA Plus data collection plan This program does not collect sufficient data to monitor impacts by gender and diversity. In 2023-24, the program supported Priority Area 3 for the CER’s Accessibility Plan 2023–25 by consulting with internal service partners who led this project, to establish a CER-specific assessment tool. |
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Engagement Core Responsibility Programs |
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Program Indigenous Engagement |
Program goals The unique rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples are acknowledged and reflected in the CER processes and programs and that engagement with Indigenous Peoples is meaningful. This program supports other CER programs, in particular programs within the Safety and Environment Oversight and Energy Adjudication core responsibilities. Performance indicators and associated data are not currently structured in a way that benefits can be represented by numerical data. Benefits and results are reported through a narrative format. Target population Indigenous Peoples Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Please refer to the Engagement > Details on results > Indigenous Engagement section, and Gender-based analysis plus section, of the Departmental Results Report. Key program impacts on gender and diversity Key program impact statistics
Other key program impacts Under the CER Act, the CER must establish an advisory committee for the purpose of enhancing involvement of the Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous organizations in respect of CER-regulated pipelines, power lines and offshore renewable energy projects as well as abandoned pipelines. The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) was established to meet this commitment under the CER Act. The IAC completed a three-year work plan with five priorities: relationships and governance; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration); cultural competency and change management; Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in regulatory oversight; and crown consultation and accommodation. The CER will continue to learn from the IAC about how it can incorporate Indigenous perspectives in the organization and its work. This program supports ongoing engagement with Indigenous Peoples through collaboration and integration of efforts with other CER programs to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. In 2023-2024, the CER continued to develop engagement approaches that provided the organization with broad and diverse feedback on CER initiatives. For example, the CER formed a co-writing committee in support of the Indigenous Oversight Forum leadership meetings. The co-writing committee published an Indigenous-CER Leadership Meetings Summary Report that provided insight and will shape future planning. The CER’s co-creation approach respects a shared vision of Indigenous involvement in the compliance and oversight of a CER-regulated pipeline system and builds trust with participants. The CER has also taken strides in incorporating Indigenous protocol into its work. For example, the CER used distinction-based discussions with Indigenous Elders and Indigenous communities’ archive specialists to design its approach to returning historic CER hearing transcripts and audio files. Feedback indicates these efforts are appreciated by communities, as this project enables Nations to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions and philosophies that are held within CER hearing transcripts. Please refer to the Departmental Results Report narrative (Engagement) for more information on program impacts in 2023-24. Supplementary information sources GBA Plus data collection plan GBA Plus considerations were taken into account to assess the effectiveness of engagement, identify program improvements, and provide advice to the organization on ways to engage diverse views in a way that recognizes how Canadians from identifiable groups may experience engagement policies, processes, programs, and projects differently. As part of any new engagement planning process, adjustments are being tested to include an initial discovery phase to discuss with Indigenous Peoples the most effective way to consult and cooperate with Nations, communities and/or representatives in specific engagement initiatives. These continual improvement efforts will enhance engagement activities to make them even more relevant and meaningful for participants which will further influence the work of the CER. | ||||||||||||
Program Stakeholder Engagement |
Program goals The Stakeholder Engagement program defines and provides a performance framework for the CER’s approach to engagement with those affected by our decisions and our work. Target population The CER engages with various external parties to inform our decisions and improve our work such as:
Distribution of benefits Not available Specific demographic group outcomes Not available Key program impacts on gender and diversity Key program impact statistics
Other key program impacts The CER blends both planned and reactive engagement, combining careful planning and a capacity to adapt and react swiftly when circumstances demand it. Through its National Engagement Strategy, the CER has focused resources on planned engagement that is strategic and goal oriented, fostering more deliberate and effective interactions with target stakeholders. This program supports ongoing engagement with stakeholders through collaboration and integration of efforts with other CER programs to build meaningful relationships. Please refer to the Departmental Results Report narrative (Engagement) for more information on program impacts in 2023-24. Supplementary information sources GBA Plus data collection plan In 2023-24, the CER continued to evolve its assessment processes. After introducing a new internal assessment option in 2022-23 that incorporated different methods for collecting participant feedback, the CER adopted the best practice of issuing an external participant survey to measure the meaningfulness of the engagement activity, where appropriate. By building a toolkit of options for assessment, the CER can incorporate richer, more diverse feedback in its decision-making. The Land Matters Group Advisory Committee (LMG-AC) is made up of representatives from impacted landowners, associations of owners and users of lands, industry, land professionals, Natural Resources Canada, and CER staff. The LMG-AC operates as a two-way conduit of information between the CER and LMG members by providing participants with opportunities to share insight and advice on the protection of landowner rights and interests, with the ultimate goal of achieving regulatory excellence. By sharing information and real-life experience, the LMG continues to build awareness and develop relationships across a diverse network. |
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