Evaluation of the implementation of Gender-Based Analysis Plus at the Canadian Space Agency

This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Implementation of Gender-Based Analysis Plus practices at Canadian Space Agency (CSA) since the CSA’s GBA+ Policy took effect in 2017. This is the first thematic evaluation at the CSA and it was carried out by the CSA’s Audit and Evaluation Directorate between January 2020 and March 2021. This evaluation is included in the CSA's five-year Evaluation Plan and was conducted in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada's Policy on Results (2016). The concept of GBA Plus is not new to the federal government and has existed for decades through the principles of gender equality. In recent years though, the Government of Canada has placed a greater emphasis and commitment to advance equality and diversity and inclusion by closing the gaps between diverse groups of women, men and gender diverse people. As a result, GBA Plus is taking a more prominent place in the way the Government of Canada develops and delivers its programs. Federal departments and agencies have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that GBA Plus considerations are identified and that inequalities are corrected within the context of their respective programs and policies. As such, the CSA has the role and responsibility to promote these values to the Canadian space community and align itself with these priorities to make the Canadian space sector a more inclusive and diverse sector, and ensure its space projects and initiatives benefit diverse groups of Canadians equally and equitably to their best ability. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the CSA’s GBA Plus practices and internal processes in support of decision-making. The evaluation applied a mix methods approach for gathering data which included a comparative study, a literature and document review, an online survey to CSA employees, and individual or group interviews with internal and external stakeholders.