2024-25 Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

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Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

Transport Canada’s Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) Centre of Excellence (Centre) provides oversight and guidance on the department’s GBA Plus initiatives. While working in close collaboration with the support of subject matter experts across the department, the Centre has continued to:

  • Support and monitor all Transport Canada GBA Plus initiatives.
  • Lead a “GBA Plus Intra-departmental Network” to promote greater integration of GBA Plus tools and knowledge into our operations and practices.
  • Serve as the main Transport Canada point of contact for:
  • Support the “Gender Inclusiveness Co-Champions” whose shared role includes:
    • Promoting and providing leadership on Transport Canada’s commitment to applying GBA Plus and the Policy Directive on Sex and Gender Information Practices to modernize how the department collects sex and gender information.
    • Ensuring that Transport Canada’s policies, programs, and initiatives are inclusive of all individuals by considering other identity factors beyond sex and gender, such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.
    • Promoting continued advancement of more informed and responsive policies, programs, and initiatives. We use GBA Plus as an analytical tool to systematically consider the various obstacles, barriers and conditions faced by different groups of people, in all their diversity, to achieve the overarching goals of improving gender equality and contributing to a more fair and equitable society.
    • Advancing the department’s work related to updating the collection, display, and use of sex and gender data to align with the Policy Directive on Sex and Gender Information Practices.
  • Represent Transport Canada at Assistant Deputy Minister-level meetings and working groups.
  • Provide overarching guidance to support subject matter experts (e.g., within air, rail, marine, etc.) with respect to questions that impact the development of GBA Plus assessments related to Cabinet documents.
  • Support Transport Canada's access to online GBA Plus training and other pertinent resources.

Capacity

In 2024-25, the Transport Canada GBA Plus Centre of Excellence:

  • Continued to promote GBA Plus mandatory training – with over 90% of Transport Canada employees having completed the online GBA Plus training offered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS);
  • Regularly engaged the approximately 90+ GBA Plus Network members at Transport Canada through email updates and meetings/events, including hosting speaking engagements with an Indigenous scholar and City of Montreal GBA Plus analyst as part of GBA Plus awareness week learning activities; and,
  • Participated in interdepartmental and international meetings and events promoting GBA Plus best practices.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

1.5 FTEs were dedicated to GBA Plus at Transport Canada during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program

Core responsibility 1: A safe and secure transportation system

Aircraft Services

Program goals: The Aircraft Services Program is a federal government internal aviation service provider that operates a fleet of 50 aircraft, delivers aeronautical services to Transport Canada and Other Governmental Departments, and supports the Government of Canada (GC) in response to the surveillance of the waterways through the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP).

The program focuses its efforts on ensuring and promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness within Transport Canada. As part of GBA Plus activities, the program is proactively seeking to recruit greater diversity within its workforce.

Target population: Specific regions or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender 60-79% men
By income level Strongly benefits high income individuals
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

The target population of the program’s services relates to specific regions or sectors of the economy. The program services are provided almost exclusively to government clients from either the Civil Aviation directorate at Transport Canada with the majority of the program’s services being provided to other federal departments, especially the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Government of Canada employees benefiting from services provided by the program have been predominantly male identifying to date. While the program does not develop or maintain overall GC recruitment strategies, internally, the program’s staff involved in hiring processes must complete the Canada School of Public Service course – Inclusive Hiring Practices for a Diverse Workforce. The program is implementing GBA Plus through its internal hiring practices to develop a more diverse workforce.

The Aircraft Services Directorate (ASD) at Transport Canada reaches out to industry, educational institutions, trade shows, and attends the biennial Canadian Women in Aviation (CWIA) conference, to promote the aviation industry and with the intent of developing a more gender balanced environment within the directorate. ASD strives to creatively come up with ideas and initiatives to better represent society.

Following the launch of the “Women of ASD” network in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, ASD has continued its operations. For instance, during 2024–25, there were multiple internal events, at least two of which featured outside speakers who discussed their expertise and experiences as women working in male-dominated fields. The women of ASD network is an initiative that serves as a networking mechanism to support and strengthen the community of women across the directorate by increasing communication, providing training and resources, tips, and tools.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The program has taken a targeted approach to increasing the diversity of the fleet maintenance team. To promote ASD as an employer of choice among Employment Equity (EE) groups, ASD has expanded its job advertising efforts through various platforms, including LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and aviation-specific job boards such as AeroWeb and Elevate Aviation magazines.

The Technical Services branch was able to reach their goal of female students hire over the past few years in hopes of increasing interest in our industry. The statistics for FY 2022-23 was 67% female (6/9); 2023-24 was 50% female (4/8); and 2024-25 was 50% female (5/10). Hiring selection processes have been specifically targeted toward under-represented populations, and work is ongoing with human resources specialists to attract a more diverse workforce through future career opportunities within the program.

Aviation Safety Oversight and Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Aviation Safety Oversight Program verifies that the aviation industry complies with the regulatory framework through certifications, assessments, validations, inspections, and enforcement.

The Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework Program develops policies, guidelines, regulations, standards, and educational materials to advance civil aviation safety in Canada and align with international civil aviation standards.

Target population: The aviation industry, including the remotely piloted aircraft systems industry.

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Predominantly men (80% or more men)
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

While the aviation industry is predominantly comprised of men, all Canadians indirectly benefit from a safe civil aviation system.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework program aims to advance a safe civil aviation system, which positively impacts Canadians. For each regulatory proposal, Transport Canada conducts a GBA Plus assessment to determine if the proposed regulations will have differential impacts based on identify factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. In 2024-25, the program did not identify any significant differential impacts on gender and diversity as a result of changes made to the Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework.

The initiatives, work, and programs being undertaken by Transport Canada under the Technical Programs and Evaluation Collaboration (TPEC) group do not have a specific demographic audience; this work is targeted at all Canadians, and gender impacts were not required to be examined within their scope. As with all divisions within Transport Canada, TPEC continues to take action to hire more diverse and qualified professionals within the division.

The information on impacts for programs being undertaken by the Pilot Training and Licensing group is “not available” according to the report definition, as the impacts are not targeted at any individual group but at all Canadians, and gender impacts were not required to be examined within their scope. However, significant efforts are being made to hire more diverse and qualified female professionals within Transport Canada.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The programs are safety focused and do not collect identity-factor data. Data collection is limited to event-specific information, and only the minimum necessary data required to fulfill the program’s safety mandate is gathered.

Aviation Security Oversight and Aviation Security Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Aviation Security Oversight Program ensures that Canadian aviation regulated entities (e.g., aerodromes, air carriers, Primary Security Line Partners, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and Air Cargo Security Program participants) remain in compliance with the Canadian aviation security regulatory framework.

The Aviation Security Regulatory Framework Program develops, administers, and oversees the policies, regulations, and standards needed to: support the secure conduct of day-to-day activities within the Canadian aviation sector and ensure Canada’s aviation security regulatory framework is aligned with international standards.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly Gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Aviation Security regulatory framework establishes requirements to safeguard passengers and goods travelling on aircrafts and at aerodromes. As it continues to evolve, the framework has become increasingly comprehensive and prescriptive, reflecting greater alignment with international standards.

No GBA Plus impacts have been identified at this time. However, there is a risk that more stringent regulatory requirements could increase service delivery costs for air carriers, which may in turn be passed on to travellers. This could affect affordability for some Canadians, particularly those with lower incomes. That said, most air carriers already follow international standards when operating globally. Aligning with these standards supports consistency of travel practices, which in turn provides a more predictable travel experience for travellers in Canada.

Although women remain under-represented in the aviation industry, aligning Canada’s regulatory framework with international standards is not expected to create or reinforce barriers to their participation in the industry.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Transport Canada, as the regulator, does not collect specific GBA Plus data. However, the program will continue to conduct analysis regionally (all Canadian regions, including Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern, and Pacific) or geographical (e.g., urban centers) impacts, and/or other GBA Plus factors, with the data that is available.

Emergency Management

Program goals: The Emergency Management Program is responsible for administering Transport Canada’s responsibilities under the Emergency Management Act as they relate to:

  • prevention/mitigation strategies;
  • emergency preparedness; and
  • response to and recovery from transportation-related emergencies.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

The program monitors emerging or potential threats to the national transportation system to ensure that Transport Canada is ready to manage and respond to emergencies affecting Canada’s transportation system. The program is not designed to offer individual benefits. By its nature, it is broader in scope and about managing and maintaining the safety and security of Canada's critical transportation system for the broader public good.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Given the program is focused on incidents across the transportation system and activities to enhance transportation resiliency and emergency preparedness, the data framework focuses on incident response data from transportation sector stakeholders (owners, operators, first responders, other government departments). The data is used to assess emergency management procedures of stakeholders and inform departmental and whole-of-government engagement and intervention as necessary.

Although the program does not collect data at the individual level, geographic data provides some understanding of community-level impacts (e.g., latitude/longitude of incident) and may help to distinguish urban versus rural considerations when undertaking future policy decisions. Though this does not inform impacts on distinguishing features, it can augment understanding of any disproportionate impacts on communities and thus contribute to factors affecting the well-being and prosperity of those within the communities.

The program also considers impacts on the supply chain in its tracking of and reporting on, emergencies, to mitigate issues such as the lack of access to essential supplies for remote and isolated populations. For example, if a wildfire cuts off a main rail line for transporting supplies to an isolated community, efforts under the Emergency Management Program would entail working with partners to identify alternative delivery routes or modes. Data is also collected on the diversity of the workforce to inform staffing decisions.

Marine Safety Oversight and Marine Safety Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Marine Safety Oversight Program provides oversight and certification of the marine industry, including domestic non-pleasure (commercial) craft and pleasure craft and foreign commercial vessels, to enhance the safe operation of the marine transportation system by promoting and verifying compliance with regulatory requirements. The program collects a variety of GBA Plus data.

The Marine Safety Regulatory Framework Program contributes to protecting the public interest by developing regulations, standards, and policies that establish minimum requirements for safety and environmental protection and promote safe marine practices. The program works to help underrepresented groups enter the marine industry through the Marine Training program and incorporates GBA Plus analysis in the regulatory process.

The Marine Safety Oversight and Marine Safety Regulatory Framework Programs are closely connected. The Marine Safety Regulatory Framework program may use data from the Marine Safety Oversight program when conducting GBA Plus analyses. Likewise, the Marine Safety Oversight program oversees the implementation of regulations developed by the Marine Safety Regulatory Framework program.

Target population: Specific regions or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Predominantly men (80% or more men)
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

Canada’s marine transportation safety oversight and regulatory framework benefits all Canadians by ensuring a safe transportation system. While those directly involved in the marine transportation system benefit directly through the marine safety oversight regime and the marine security regulatory framework, a safe transportation system is essential for Canada. The direct beneficiaries of the Marine Safety Oversight program, notably owners, operators, and crew of marine vessels, are predominantly male.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The programs carry out oversight and enforcement activities, and statutory inspections on vessels regardless of seafarers' sex, age, gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, etc. There is no GBA Plus data collected concerning oversight or statutory inspections of the marine transportation system – i.e., promotion and verification of vessel (statutory) compliance with requirements, audits, and other oversight of recognized organizations (the bodies authorized to inspect on behalf of Transport Canada), and enforcement actions taken in the event of non-compliance. Currently, no planned actions to collect GBA Plus data with respect to oversight of the marine transportation system are being considered, where negative differential impacts as a result of this approach are highly unlikely.

However, the Marine Safety Oversight program does collect data on seafarers and Marine Inspectors. The program is working to modernize its seafarer certification databases and currently has the following databases that collect certain GBA Plus related data:

  1. Automated Certification Examination System (ACES): Age, gender, location, and language preference of seafarers who are certificated by Transport Canada.
  2. Multimodal Personnel Document Issuance System (MPDIS): Age, gender, location, and language preference of seafarers who are certificated by Transport Canada.
  3. Pleasure Craft Operator Competency (PCOC) Database System: Sex, age, location, and language preference of PCOC cardholders in Canada. Analysis can be performed for GBA Plus purposes based on the known data available at Transport Canada on Canadian seafarers and Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) holders in Canada.
  4. Transport Canada Inspector Database (TCID): Age, location, and language preference (not gender) of Transport Canada marine inspectors.

The department is modernizing the collection of “gender” and “sex” data based on the Treasury Board of Canada directive titled: “Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada’s Sex and Gender Information Practices”. At an international level, Transport Canada is bound by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW Convention), 1978 and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC,2006). The STCW Convention captures “gender” data in a binary context and the MLC,2006 uses the term “sex”. Changes made by Transport Canada must align with these two conventions which are in the process of being modernized.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has started a comprehensive review of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW Convention), 1978 with the goal to modernize and update the convention which include indicators but not limited to gender and sex. Canada is actively participating in this comprehensive review initiative which will take some time to complete.

Marine Safety Regulatory Initiatives:

  • All Marine Safety Regulatory initiatives undergo a detailed GBA Plus analysis; however, the Marine Safety Regulatory Framework program does not collect sufficient microdata to enable it to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. Available data is used as part of a GBA Plus analysis to assess the economic and social impacts of each Marine Safety regulatory amendment or new proposed regulations, as required under the Cabinet Directive on Regulation. The Marine Safety Regulatory Program will continue to consider gender-based impacts to guide the development of future marine safety regulations.
  • As stated in the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, departments and agencies are to undertake an assessment of social and economic impacts of each regulatory proposal on diverse groups of Canadians, in accordance with the Government of Canada's commitment to implementing GBA Plus. For this purpose, the Marine Safety program at Transport Canada conducts GBA Plus analysis for every regulatory amendment or new proposed regulation based on data/statistics available and/or collected by the Marine Safety and Security programs (under oversight).
  • Transport Canada is an active member of the IMO’s Gender Equality Network. Transport Canada advocates increasing the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in the maritime sector. The network aims to create a more inclusive environment by supporting the advancement and empowerment of women in maritime professions.
    • 2024 was the first year of implementing the Global Strategy for the IMO Women in Maritime Associations (2024-29) with a focus on capacity-building, networking, and policy advancements. Key strategic objectives included increasing the visibility of women in maritime leadership roles, fostering knowledge sharing through training opportunities, and advocating for accurate gender-disaggregated data collection.
  • These efforts are part of the department’s ongoing work to advance the UN 2030 Agenda, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Marine Medical Certificates:

  • Concerning the Marine Medical Certificates, the department is modernizing the collection of “gender” and “sex” data collected based on the Treasury Board of Canada directive titled: “Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada’s Sex and Gender Information Practices”.

Intermodal Surface Security Oversight and Intermodal Surface Security Regulatory Program

Program goals: Since 2025-26, these two programs have merged into the Rail Security Program which is responsible for ensuring that railway companies comply with all applicable legislation, regulations, and policies. Oversight work includes on-site remote inspections and enforcement. Regulatory proposals are assessed for social and economic impacts, aligning with the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and Canada’s commitment to GBA Plus.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Rail Security program oversees federally regulated passenger and freight railway companies to provide Canadians with a secure rail network. The program is responsible for verifying that federally regulated railways are compliant with railway security legislation, regulations, and policies by conducting security inspections at railway sites, stations and facilities; and, when required, take enforcement actions. By ensuring the security of rail transport for all Canadians, the Rail Security Program also helps to ensure the security of all groups, including gender and diversity groups. However, the program does not measure the impact on individual groups specifically.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The Rail Security program looks for opportunities to collect information to monitor and report on GBA Plus commitments, such as through the development of GBA Plus assessments related to Treasury Board Submissions, budget proposals, and regulatory proposals.

As the program does not and is not required to collect security incident data specifically on gender and diversity (serves all Canadians), a GBA Plus data collection plan is not forthcoming. However, the program complies with the required guidance pertaining to GBA Plus analysis as outlined in this response.

Marine Security Oversight and Marine Security Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Marine Security Oversight and Marine Security Regulatory Framework programs regulate, certify, and oversee the security of the marine transportation system – including vessels, marine facilities and ports – in Canada. The Marine Security Regulatory Framework program uses GBA Plus analysis in the regulatory process and the Marine Security Oversight program collects some data on GBA Plus.

Target population: Specific regions or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Predominantly men (80% or more men)
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

Canada’s marine transportation security oversight and regulatory framework benefit all Canadians by ensuring a secure transportation system. While those directly involved in the marine transportation system benefit directly through the marine security oversight and regulatory framework, a secure transportation system is essential for Canada.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity
  • The programs primarily deal with entities and not individuals. The programs currently collect data on vessels, marine facilities, and corporations, and any information on individuals is limited to contact information for their roles related to vessels, marine facilities, or corporations.
  • The programs collect data on the age, location, and language preferences (not gender) of Transport Canada marine inspectors through the Transport Canada Inspector Database (TCID).
  • There are no planned actions to collect additional GBA Plus data with respect to security oversight of the marine transportation system at this time. However, the programs will continue to consider gender-based impacts in guiding the development of future initiatives including the recruitment and retention of marine inspectors within the Marine Security programs.
GBA Plus data collection plan

The programs do not collect information directly related to GBA Plus at this time. However, all Marine Security regulatory initiatives undergo a GBA Plus analysis. The programs will continue to consider gender-based impacts to guide the development of future marine security regulations. The Cabinet Directive on Regulation states that departments and agencies are to undertake an assessment of social and economic impacts of each regulatory proposal on diverse groups of Canadians, in accordance with the Government of Canada's commitment to implementing GBA Plus. For this purpose, the Marine Security programs at Transport Canada conduct GBA Plus analysis for every regulatory amendment or new proposed regulation based on data/statistics available and/or collected by the Marine Safety and Security programs (under oversight).

Multi-modal and Road Safety Oversight and Multi-modal and Road Safety Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Multi-modal and Road Safety Oversight Program helps prevent road-related injuries and fatalities by ensuring the safety compliance of vehicles and equipment used on Canada’s roads, serving drivers, passengers, and all road users. The Multi-modal and Road Safety Regulatory Framework Program’s top priority is to reduce the number of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities on Canada’s roads by actively protecting and improving road and motor vehicle safety.

Target population: Canadians; Transport Canada legislative/regulatory and oversight programs, and other federal department regulatory programs

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

The two programs target the automotive sector (e.g., manufacturers, industry, technology companies, and academia), however, these initiatives are also expected to directly benefit Canadians, including drivers, passengers, and other road users (e.g., pedestrians, bicyclists), by reducing deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle collisions.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The department continues to evaluate its GBA Plus data collection in relation to reportable road traffic collisions, fatalities, and serious injuries. In March 2025, Transport Canada launched its Motor Vehicle Casualties Dashboard to help users explore trends of fatalities and injuries in motor vehicle collisions, based on all police-reported crash data collected from the National Collisions Database. The dashboard allows users to apply customizable filters to obtain road fatality and injury data focused on specific details, including age and gender.

The programs continue to integrate best practices on GBA Plus data collection and analysis into all its program areas. Enforcement activities are concerned with the nature and/or gravity of non-compliance affecting Canada’s transportation system. They are undertaken for the benefit of all Canadians.

Transport Canada continues to apply a GBA Plus lens in the procurement of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) to promote proper fit, inclusivity, and safety for inspectors, delegated officers, and all employees. This approach ensures that diverse body types, gender identities, and varying work conditions—including remote locations and hazardous environments—are carefully considered in every stage of procurement. Operational Support Services (OSS) has developed a GBA Plus Clothing and Procurement Initiatives Tracker, which outlines current procurement activities aligned with these principles.

Multimodal Integrated Technical Training (MITT) continues to implement its MITT Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines in the design, development, delivery, and review of training. This does not include any GBA Plus data collection.

Rail Safety Improvement Program

Program goals: The Rail Safety Improvement Program provides federal funding for projects that contribute to increasing safety at high-risk grade crossings and along rail lines through investments in infrastructure upgrades, technology pilots, research, education and awareness initiatives that aim to reduce collisions and trespassing incidents, increase the resilience of the rail sector against climate change and extreme weather events, as well as increase public confidence in Canada’s rail transportation system. Eligible recipients include provinces, territories, municipalities, local governments, road and transit authorities, crown corporations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations (including academia), Indigenous groups, and private landowners.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Not available

Other key program impacts

In 2024-25, the design of Rail Safety Improvement Program’s (RSIP) call for proposals for investments in research and education prioritized projects that were intended to have a behavioural impact on identified at-risk groups (youth/teenagers, young adults, and Indigenous communities). Results provided to date from selected recipients indicate the following progress in relation to the identified at-risk groups (drivers, youth/teenagers, young adults, Indigenous communities):

  • Educational materials available in 16 Indigenous languages
  • In-person engagement with several Indigenous communities across the country regarding rail safety
  • Engagement with drivers through social media efforts and community events
  • Engagement with youth and teenagers through school presentations, social media campaigns and community events
GBA Plus data collection plan

In December 2023, the program launched a call for proposals under its research and education stream, targeting the following at-risk groups, in addition to the public at large:

  • Drivers (i.e., new drivers, professional drivers, large equipment operators and recreational vehicles users)
  • Youth and teenagers (aged 12-18)
  • Young adults (aged 18-35, particularly young male adults); and/or
  • Indigenous communities (particularly those living near railway tracks)

A total of five projects were approved and are expected to be completed by March 2027. Recipients are required to submit a final report detailing the outputs, reach and impacts of their activities and initiatives on the identified at-risk groups.

Rail Safety Oversight and Rail Safety Regulatory Framework

Program goals: The Rail Safety Oversight Program and Rail Safety Regulatory Framework Program ensure efficiency and sustainability through legislation, regulations, and standards like the Railway Safety Act. Oversight includes inspections, safety management system (SMS) audits, and enforcement. Regulatory proposals are assessed for social and economic impacts, aligning with the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and Canada’s commitment to GBA Plus.

Target population: Specific Regions or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Predominantly men
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

A safer rail network benefits over 400 communities served by passenger rail (VIA Rail), particularly rural, remote, and Indigenous communities served by long-distance and regional routes where alternative forms of transportation may be limited or unavailable. Across all passenger rail routes, women make up 60 per cent of ridership, young people and students make up 20 per cent, and seniors make up 13 per cent.

Meaningful engagement with remote and Indigenous communities ensures that all voices are heard in the development of various aspects of the programs.

Overall, the programs achieve safety and environmental benefits for Canadians.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Rail Safety Oversight program oversees federally regulated passenger and freight railway companies to provide Canadians with a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible rail network. The Rail Safety Regulatory Framework program is responsible for verifying that federally regulated railways are compliant with railway safety legislation, regulations, rules and engineering standards through conducting safety inspections of equipment, operations, track, bridges, crossings, and signals, to verify compliance with federal rules and regulations; SMS audits (which verify the development and implementation of a railway’s SMS); and, when required, taking enforcement action.

By ensuring the safety of rail transport for all Canadians, the programs also help to ensure the safety of gender and diversity groups. However, they do not measure the impact on these groups specifically.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The programs look for opportunities to collect information to monitor and report on GBA Plus commitments, such as through the development of GBA Plus assessments related to Treasury Board Submissions, budget proposals and regulatory proposals.

The programs do not collect data related to incidents and accidents, as this information is required by regulation to be submitted directly by railways to the Transportation Safety Board. As a result, Transport Canada has limited ability to extract GBA Plus insights from this data. Nevertheless, the programs adhere to all applicable guidance related to GBA Plus analysis, as outlined in this response.

Security Screening Certification

Program goals: The Security Screening Certification Program conducts background checks and verifications of persons who are required to obtain a Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) in order to obtain unescorted access to restricted areas in airports and marine ports. The program promotes a secure transportation system by preventing unlawful acts of interference by assessing a person's suitability to hold a TSC.

Note: The program name has been updated to Security Clearances from 2025-26.

Target population: Specific regions or sectors of the economy

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender 60-79% men
By income level Somewhat benefits low-income individuals
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

The TSC program is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsored by employers for employment in restricted areas of airports and marine ports. It supports government operations, engagement, and promotes public safety and security of the Canadian transportation system. TSC’s are granted to those who successfully pass security background checks. More men than women generally apply to the program to meet their work requirements. The resulting demographic distributions of TSC holders depend on the applications received from industry.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Transport Canada Security Screening Programs (SSP) collect information from applicants that is required to conduct background checks and assess the level of risk individuals may pose to the security of the transportation network. Individual gender and diversity data points are not factored into the security background checks as they are not relevant in TSC decision-making. At this time, there is no indication to support that the conduct of security background checks and the collection of applicant information is disproportionately affecting any group of persons based on identity factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, age, etc. The quantitative data below describes the gender and diversity of current TSC holders.

Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Gender characteristics of TSC holders 64% of TSC holders were male in FY 2024-25 Data from the TSC program records management system - The Vault While no new data is collected by the program, applications are submitted electronically and near error-free, providing a high level of confidence in analyses.
Age/life stage characteristic of TSC holders 54% of TSC holders were between the ages of 20 and 39 in FY 2024-25. 36% were between the ages of 40 and 59 for the same period. Data from the TSC program records management system - The Vault  
Geographical characteristics of TSC holders 33% of TSC holders work in Ontario in FY 2024-25 Data from the TSC program records management system - The Vault  

*2024–25 or most recent

GBA Plus data collection plan

The online TSC application in the Transportation Security Service (TSS) portal has removed human intervention in data validation and allows for near error-free submissions, providing higher level of confidence in the data used for decision-making regarding TSCs. The program can analyze TSC data holders by selecting demographic features (male/female, age, and country of origin). The data does point to more male TSC holders than females. This result is linked to the applications that come in and trends with general demographics in the transportation sector. The Transport Canada Security Screening programs are collecting more data on employment demographics in the transportation sector that would serve as a comparison for how reflective TSC holders are to the overall workforce. The program also continues to improve access to data from the TSC. To date, developers are required for access to more granular data. Interactive dashboards and reports to some degree, can be pulled from the program’s record management system and continue to be fine-tuned to support reporting on GBA Plus. Planning is underway to examine options for greater data analytics, for example, on trends and to gather relevant data from TSC industry partners.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Oversight

Program goals: The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Oversight Program promotes compliance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, by monitoring industry through a strong regulatory framework, issuing essential certificates, and providing awareness and outreach initiatives. GBA Plus is applied to all Canadians through broadly gender-balanced safety awareness and Indigenous engagement activities.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly Gender Based
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Transport Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) program is actively integrating GBA Plus principles into its programs and policies to ensure inclusivity and address the diverse needs of Canadians.

  • Inclusive Documentation and Training: Since 2021, the program has been revising manuals and procedures to use gender-neutral language, ensuring that all inspectors feel represented. These documents undergo GBA Plus analysis during updates to maintain inclusivity.

In 2024–25, Transport Canada attended five different meetings and events primarily focused on emergency management situations. The program supports various Indigenous communities with emergency preparedness and response. Through this support and presence, the Department gains knowledge and understanding of the diverse realities of communities across Canada, which in turn shapes its responses and approach.

  • Engagement with Indigenous Communities: Working in close collaboration with Indigenous Relations, the program has undertaken ongoing engagement efforts. This has included a consultation on proposed regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods by drones in September 2023, and a survey distributed via the National Indigenous Relations Engagement Opportunities Bulletin in May 2025. No concerns were raised through these engagements.

The program has also initiated work toward further consultations on proposed amendments to Part 12 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, with the objective of enhancing support for the safe and reliable transport of dangerous goods in remote and Indigenous communities.

  • Regulatory Framework Considerations: While recent regulatory amendments, such as the site registration requirements, are primarily aimed at businesses and are not expected to have differential impacts based on identity factors, Transport Canada conducted GBA Plus reviews to ensure that no unintended barriers are created. Consultations with stakeholders, including the Assembly of First Nations, were held, and no specific concerns were raised.
Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Percentage of planned versus completed outreach products created per year 90% Total of 12 out of 13 planned products have been published or are ongoing (including awareness campaigns and web revamp). Safety Awareness Program Annual Plan, and Safety Awareness Program Annual Report Bulletins, one-pagers, PowerPoint presentations, awareness campaigns and social media, were created or amended following noncompliance trends. New risks identified, as requested by industry/following regulatory amendments.
Percentage of planned versus completed outreach activities.

100% of planned activities have been completed

Total of 38 events for FY 2024-2025

 Safety Awareness Program Events Tracker Promotes awareness of new regulations, supports training with fire departments and industry, and advances ERAPs through outreach to better inform the public and emergency authorities.
Percentage of increased awareness sessions with Indigenous communities raising awareness of the TDG Program. 0% Status quo. Maintained relation with organizations – 5 recurring events for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 Surface Indigenous Engagement Strategy deck, Safety Awareness Indigenous Engagement tracker.

Number of events organized/attended in collaboration with other directorates - Rail Safety, Indigenous Relations.

Number of events where TDG information was shared with Indigenous communities.

*2024–25 or most recent

Other key program impacts

The program worked with other groups within Transport Canada to determine the most effective way to implement pertinent GBA Plus practices into relevant future Risk Assessments, such as direct consultations and input from Indigenous groups.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The program is assessing its internal GBA Plus reporting and data capabilities to align with the Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada’s Sex and Gender Information Practices. This assessment aims to enhance the program's ability to monitor and report impacts by gender and diversity.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Technical Support

Program goals: The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Technical Support Program serves as a technical centre of expertise on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. It identifies and promotes best practices for the transportation of dangerous goods.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly Gender Based
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
GBA Plus data collection plan

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Technical Support program functions have been transferred to Transport Canada’s Emergency Management program, and the GBA Plus results for this item have been considered as part of the Emergency Management program outcome.

Core responsibility 2: Green and innovative transportation system

Climate Change and Clean Air

Program goals: The Climate Change and Clean Air Program is focused on reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air contaminants from the transportation industry to improve the health of Canadians and the environment.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

The Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iZEV) was open to all Canadians - including individuals, businesses, and organizations - looking to purchase or lease eligible zero-emission vehicles.

The iMHZEV Program was open to all Canadian businesses and organizations looking to purchase or lease eligible medium- or heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.

The marine decarbonization program aims to deliver long-term environmental benefits for all Canadians by reducing marine-related emissions, with added health and environmental gains from lower air contaminants and noise pollution, particularly for workers and urban communities near ports. It also supports broader climate change mitigation, which disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including Indigenous and northern communities. While the program will not immediately remedy existing gender disparities in the marine labour market, it will not exacerbate them, and no negative impacts are anticipated for women, men, or gender-diverse individuals.

Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Distribution of iZEV program incentives for new zero-emission vehicles across various identifying factors including gender, ethnicity, age and income level.
  • 14.4% of respondents reported a household income less than $75,000
  • Just under 15.5% of respondents self-identified as a visible minority, of which 6.6% identified as Indigenous
  • 69.7% of respondents identified as male
  • 66.6% of respondents indicated they were above 45 years of age
  • 77.8% of respondents indicated their main residence type was a house
  • 87.7% of respondents lived in Quebec, BC, or Ontario
  • 15.4% of respondents lived in a rural or small community (under 10,000 people)
  • 81.9% of respondents had some form of post-secondary education.

Mandatory data collected from individual iZEV recipients upon receipt of incentive: Name (no gender) and date of birth only

Data collected from the voluntary iZEV Questionnaire Survey for individuals: Indicator-household income, age, gender, ethnicity, highest level of education, size of community and number of vehicles owned/leased

Mandatory data collected from business/organization iZEV recipients upon receipt of incentive: CRA business registration number (no personal data except the name of the company representative)

Data collected from the voluntary iZEV Questionnaire for businesses/organizations: Province/territory of org's HQ, size of community HQ is located in.

 GBA Plus results must be interpreted cautiously, as responses were voluntary and limited to iZEV recipients, not all vehicle users or demographics.

*2024–25 or most recent

The data provided is from the Summer 2024 iteration of the iZEV and iMHZEV questionnaires, providing data on recipients whose vehicles were delivered in the 2023 calendar year.

The 2025 iteration of the iZEV and iMHZEV questionnaires is expected to launch in Summer 2025 and will survey all recipients whose vehicles were delivered in the 2024 calendar year (exception being made for the iZEV Program where recipients who took delivery of their vehicles in 2025 before the pause of the program on January 12, will be included in the survey).

Other key program impacts

The iZEV program is open to Canadians of driving age—individuals, businesses, and organizations. As ZEVs become more affordable, purchasers are expected to reflect the broader vehicle-owning population, including diverse languages, education, gender, marital status, culture, and beliefs.

The iMHZEV program targets the medium and heavy-duty vehicle sectors, traditionally male dominated, but is open to Canadian businesses and organizations.

The transition to ZEV, and trucks in particular, impacts various groups. Air quality benefits women—especially those who are pregnant—children, low-income and racialized communities. Cleaner, easier-to-drive trucks may attract underrepresented groups, though older and lower-skilled workers may face job displacement, making access to training and employment critical.

Supplementary information sources

Torbatian, S., Saleh, M., Xu, J., Minet, L., Mahagammulla Gamage, S., Yazgi, D., Yamanouchi, S., Roorda, M. J., & Hatzopoulou, M. (2024). Societal co-benefits of zero-emission vehicles in the freight industry. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(18), 7814–7825. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c08867

European Clean Trucking Alliance, Framework of Benefits of zero-emission trucks for workers, September 2023, https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/framework-of-benefits-of-zeroemission-trucks-for-workers/261099715

Natural Resources Defense Council, Breathing Easy: Truckers’ Health and the Rise of Zero-Emission Trucks, August 18, 2023, https://www.nrdc.org/bio/guillermo-ortiz/breathing-easy-truckers-health-and-rise-zero-emission-trucks

GBA Plus data collection plan

The iZEV and iMHZEV programs collect GBA Plus demographic data from recipients who choose to participate in annual questionnaires. Participation is voluntary, so the results reflect only a sample of all recipients. As a result, the data may not fully represent the entire recipient population and should be interpreted with caution.

The iZEV questionnaire was revised in 2023–24 with input from Statistics Canada to improve clarity and response rates.

Transport Canada leads the Zero-Emission Vehicle Council, a forum bringing together experts from the private sector, academia, NGOs, and all levels of government to address challenges and opportunities in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The Council has highlighted affordability and accessibility issues, including the need for affordable EVs, accessible options for people with disabilities, and inclusive charging infrastructure. Transport Canada also co-chairs the Federal-Provincial-Territorial ZEV Working Group, where rural and northern needs are discussed. In 2024–25, research explored barriers to EV adoption among people with disabilities and in rural and northern communities. These findings will inform the development of future federal EV support programs.

For the remaining Climate Change and Clean Air (M10) groups, GBA Plus data collection efforts are either:

  • Not available or not reported on
  • Limited to general research activities benefiting all Canadians

Environmental Stewardship of Transportation

Program goals: The Environmental Stewardship of Transportation Program promotes the environmental stewardship of transportation by undertaking activities to meet the legislative requirements for impact assessments, managing and remediating Transport Canada’s contaminated sites, and promotes compliance with environmental legislation, guidelines and policies applied to federal lands as well as the greening of Transport Canada’s operations for owned and operated airports and ports, through the Greening Government Strategy.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Supplementary information sources

A GBA Plus analysis was conducted in advance of Cabinet and Treasury Board approval of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) Phase V (2025-2030) to determine the influence the program will have on different demographic groups. The analysis identified that Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted by federal contaminated sites due to consumption of country foods, which is linked to the cultural traditions of hunting and foraging. FCSAP will continue to directly benefit Indigenous Peoples as part of its overall objective to reduce risks to human health in and around areas where Indigenous Peoples live. Reporting for the last year of FCSAP Phase IV (2024-25) concentrated on improved program delivery by bundling sites, improving information sharing, engagement and collaboration with Indigenous communities; and enhancing the FCSAP model and approach to performance measurement and reporting that conveys the program’s results to Canadians.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The application of GBA Plus to the impact assessment process is a legislative requirement under the Impact Assessment Act. In impact assessment, GBA Plus is used to identify who is impacted by a project and assess how people may experience impacts differently. GBA Plus insights are used to improve project design and develop mitigation measures that address these differential impacts. For impact assessments led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, GBA Plus is integrated into all aspects of assessments: planning, impact statements, impact assessments, decision making, follow-up, compliance and enforcement.

Transport Canada, in its capacity as a Federal Authority pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act, is committed to continuing to support and advance a greater understanding of the intersection of sex and gender with other factors within Canada’s Impact Assessment System. Transport Canada is an active participant in the FCSAP program where broader gender-based impacts are considered. Program commitment information is collected to provide the program with some understanding of a baseline with respect to, for example, the number of hours worked by Indigenous peoples and specifically Indigenous women on contaminated sites/projects.

Indigenous Partnerships and Engagement

Program goals: The Indigenous Partnerships and Engagement Program is operating as a centre of expertise, which provides services to other Transport Canada programs and works with other federal partners to support “whole-of-government” initiatives (i.e., across multiple departments) to advance Indigenous reconciliation.

Target population: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples living in Canada

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The Indigenous Partnerships and Engagement (IPE) program is responsible for Transport Canada’s reporting on the advancement of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls to Justice. During 2023-24, the IPE identified gaps in departmental results information and collaborated with various programs at Transport Canada and Other Government Departments to provide additional data regarding this initiative. In February 2025 at the federal-provincial-territorial ministers of transportation meeting with the National Indigenous Organizations, the federal Minister of Transport committed to establishing an internal working group on the implementation of the MMIWG Calls for Justice. The aim of the working group will be to assess how Transport Canada currently implements the Calls for Justice related to transportation and to work with Indigenous partners to explore opportunities.

The program also engaged with the Native Women’s Association of Canada, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada on different Transport Canada-led initiatives. Having these groups participate in engagement opportunities is essential to understand the intersectional experiences of Indigenous women. The program shares all engagement opportunities for ongoing and newinitiatives with these organizations, and the organizations establish which areas are of interest for further engagement and input.

Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Number of awareness/training sessions led by Indigenous women, which includes their intersectional perspective.

In 2024-25, there were 7 events with 10 speakers in total participating, (7 identify as female and Indigenous). A newsletter that featured female Indigenous resources about Red Dress and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including a link to a session on overcoming adversity and reclaiming power, was also developed and circulated interdepartmentally.

Awareness and Reconciliation published 6 newsletters, all of which featured Indigenous Peoples who identify as female.

 Internal Program data (excel tracker with event data and speaker info; newsletter info) The Indigenous Relations and Navigation Protection Directorate keeps track of all speakers and/or participants, including those that identify as women.

*2024–25 or most recent

Other key program impacts

The program recognizes the importance of GBA Plus considerations in its consultation and engagement approaches and day-to-day work. When undertaking consultation and engagement activities, the program encourages internal stakeholders to work together with Indigenous groups and communities to identify approaches that are inclusive, community-based and community-led. Traditional Indigenous forms of governance, such as the clan system and Elders/Women’s/Youth Councils, are intrinsically inclusive and model GBA Plus considerations.

GBA Plus data collection plan

The program continues to explore ways to identify better ways to capture and report on data related to training/awareness sessions, using GBA Plus as a lens for distinguishing participation at these events and training sessions.

In Fall 2024, the program launched the Engagement and Consultation Hub, the departmental database for tracking engagement and consultation activities. As a result, Transport Canada has started to collect data on meetings with Indigenous women’s organizations, such as the Native Women’s Association of Canada. This data will support future decision making and integrate a GBA Plus lens into the work and consultations that are led by Transport Canada.

Program goals: The Navigation Protection Program is responsible for administering and enforcing the Canadian Navigable Waters Act(CNWA) and the Wrecked Abandoned Hazardous Vessels Act (WHAVA). This includes authorizing ‘works’ (i.e., any human-made structure, device, or thing) on Canada’s navigable waterways and managing obstructions and enforcing prohibitions, including depositing, throwing, and dewatering (the removal of water).

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The program supports the Government of Canada’s objective of ensuring that at least 5% of the total value of contracts are issued to Indigenous businesses by awarding contracts for the remediation and removal of vessels of concern in Canadian waters.

From the CNWA perspective, the program regulates physical impediments to the public right to navigate, which benefits all Canadians; regardless of whether one enjoys their public right to navigate, everyone benefits from the assurance of navigable marine shipping access for the movement of goods through Canada’s waters.

From the WAHVA perspective, the program regulates abandoned vessels and dilapidated vessels. Addressing these vessels is beneficial to public safety, the environment and navigation in the area and for the coastal communities, which indirectly benefits all Canadians.

Other key program impacts

Indigenous contracting related to the remediation and removal of vessels of concern is an area where policy objectives are being pursued and could serve as a future indicator of GBA Plus activity within the program.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Within the program, hiring managers have consistently applied GBA Plus criteria in the staffing of positions. The program continues to develop and improve data collection methods regarding GBA Plus requirements beyond the general demographic information that the program captures for application purposes.

Protecting Oceans and Waterways

Program goals: The Marine Training Program, funded the Oceans Protection Plan, and with the support of the Marine Safety Regulatory Framework program, seeks to provide greater opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous Peoples and Northerners to enter the marine industry. Since 2018, 1,713 students from underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous Peoples and Northerners, graduated from marine training, many of whom found careers in the Canadian marine industry. The program’s long-term goal is to enhance the demographic diversity of the people employed in the Canadian marine industry by developing training programs that reflect traditional knowledge, using culturally appropriate learning material, meeting the learning needs of remote coastal communities, and ultimately equipping participants with the necessary expertise to find employment in the marine sector.

Target population: Women, Indigenous Peoples, and Northerners / Specific regions or sectors of the economy (coastal and northern communities, marine industry)

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level Somewhat benefits low‑income individuals
By age group Not available – age data is not available for recipients of the Marine Training Program
Specific demographic group outcomes

Long term intended outcome: The demographic diversity of the Canadian marine industry workforce is enhanced, resulting in an increased representation of individuals from coastal and northern communities employed in the sector.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

As part of the Marine Training Program (MTP), Transport Canada is currently funding four recipient institutions with the following results:

  1. British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in partnership with Camosun College: since 2019, 359 students have graduated - 255 of whom identified as women and 120 of whom identified as Indigenous. A total of 222 graduates of the BCIT/Camosun College MTP have found employment in the marine industry.
  2. Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC): since 2019, 451 students have graduated – 102 of whom identified as women and 349 whom identified as Indigenous. A total of 232 graduates of the Nova Scotia Community College MTP have found employment in the marine industry.
  3. Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium (NFMTC): since 2018, 889 students have graduated, 889 of whom identified as either Inuit or Northerner, and 67 of whom identified as women. 256 of these graduates have found employment in the marine industry; and,
  4. Western Arctic Marine Training Consortium (WAMTC): This new project was approved on March 10, 2023, and training started on January 10, 2024. WAMTC graduated its first cohort of students on April 27, 2024. Since the beginning of the project, a total of 14 students have graduated, 2 of whom were women and 12 of whom identified as Indigenous. All graduates were offered employment in the marine industry.
Key program impact statistics
Statistic* Observed results Data source Comment
Indicator: % of graduates from the BCIT/Camosun College Marine Training Program who found employment in the marine industry

62% of graduates from the BCIT/Camosun MTP have found employment in the marine industry

(222 employed / 359 grads)

 Participant data collected by BCIT/Camosun College and submitted to Transport Canada. Data accuracy is dependent on graduates reporting back to the training schools.
Indicator: % of graduates from the NSCC Marine Training Program who found employment in the marine industry

51% of graduates from the NSCC MTP have found employment in the marine industry

(232 employed / 451 grads)

 Participant data collected by NSCC and submitted to Transport Canada. Data accuracy is dependent on graduates reporting back to the training schools.
Indicator: % of graduates from the NFMTC Marine Training Program who found employment in the marine industry

29% of graduates from the NFMTC MTP have found employment in the marine industry

(256 employed / 889 grads)

 Participant data collected by NFMTC and submitted to Transport Canada. Data accuracy is dependent on graduates reporting back to the training schools.
Indicator: % of graduates from the WAMTC Marine Training Program who were offered employment in the marine industry

100% of graduates from the WAMTC MTP were offered employment in the marine industry

(14 offered employment / 14 grads)

 Participant data collected by NFMTC and submitted to Transport Canada. Data accuracy is dependent on graduates reporting back to the training schools.

*2024–25 or most recent

Note: The target for the Marine Training program (all institutions collectively, cross-regional) is that by March 2027, 70% of Marine Training program graduates are employed in the marine sector.

Supplementary information sources

Marine Training Program: Highlighting the work of Nova Scotia Community College

Marine Training Program – a graduate launches her career at sea

GBA Plus data collection plan

On March 16, 2023, the MTP was extended for four additional years, with $29.8 million in funding being allocated to the program. With this extension, the OPP has enhanced its quarterly reporting requirements to ensure Transport Canada continues to track and monitor MTP efforts and performance targets.

Transportation Innovation

Program goals: The Transportation Innovation Program exists to further transportation innovation and help Transport Canada, industry, and Canadians transition towards integrating new and emerging transportation technologies.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

There are no specific group outcomes – the work of the program is broadly gender balanced and focuses on emerging technologies that can benefit Canadians.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

This program area conducts a broad array of research to inform the department's oversight of new transportation technologies. The benefits of this research accrue to all Canadians through improvements to air quality, a reduction in climate change impacts, and enhanced safety outcomes.

Data collected includes the number of projects funded and the number of technical reports, presentations, and papers produced.

In 2022-23, the program began a multi-year crashworthiness research program dedicated to studying the protection of women and children in vehicles. The outcomes of this work are peer-reviewed technical papers used to inform test methodologies, crash test dummy designs, digital models, and other tools. These tools are then utilized by the global community to enhance the protection of women in passenger cars and light-duty trucks.

Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
The source is program records from the crashworthiness research program Since 2022, the department tracked 3 peer reviewed technical papers, 2 internal reports and 1 conference presentation directly related to the protection of women in motor vehicles

IRCOBI.org /IRC 22-63 Comparison of the THOR 5th to the Hybrid III 5th in Full Scale Frontal Crashes

Transit Bus Research Final Report

IRCOBI.org /IRC 23-57 Occupant Protection in Transit Buses: Do We Have the Correct Tools?

IRCOBI.org /IRC 23-59 Digital Twin to Assess Public Transit Safety in Frontal Crash

Comparison of Non-Electric Vehicle Crashworthiness when the Bullet or Target is an Electric Vehicle (abstract)

Comparison of Female Crash Test Dummies to Each Other and to the Human Body Model – Phase III final report -internal report

Injury Biomechanics Symposium May 2025 Analysis of Rear Seat Shoulder Belt Anchor Position on Kinematics of Small Stature Female in Frontal Impact – conference presentation

 The abstract has been accepted at IRCOBI, but publication delayed due to Caretaker Act
Canadian Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics that include data about injuries and fatalities based on age, gender, region and vehicle type https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/statistics-data/canadian-motor-vehicle-traffic-collision-statistics-2021 Transport Canada’s National Collision Database (NCDB) Long term trends in this data would reveal changes based on GBA Plus indicators (e.g., urban vs rural trends)
The program conducts technical presentations wherein it shares research findings about female and child occupant protection. In 2024-25 there were approximately 16 technical presentations made to industry, governments (international, federal and provincial), consumer programs and academia. Presented test methods and analysis for the THOR-05 small female crash dummy to the EU technical working group to advance the development of this dummy.  

*2024–25 or most recent

Other key program impacts

Transport Canada has a long-standing internationally recognized program that focuses on the protection of women in vehicles. Research findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, technical working groups, and technical presentations to both industry and academia. But most importantly, the research contributes to public education. The Department regularly takes part in media interviews with a particular focus on providing women with guidance on how to enhance their safety while travelling in cars.

GBA Plus data collection plan

In 2024-25, the Department continued funding of a collaborative project with the University of Waterloo. The research combines physical and virtual test methods to advance crash safety of women occupants in vehicles. The funding for this program concluded in 2025, but the Department is exploring other sources of funding to sustain this important work.

Testing continues to help Transport Canada better understand the capabilities and limitations of the current crash test dummies when they are placed in different seat locations or postures (when compared to standardized test procedures).

This is an innovative and efficient way to understand injury mechanisms and identify potential safety countermeasures to enhance the protection of women in cars.

Core responsibility 3: Efficient transportation system

National Trade Corridors

Program goals: The National Trade Corridors Program supports efficient market access for products through investment in Canada's trade corridors. Through the management of infrastructure funds and using policy-based measures, the program is responsible for providing funding to help infrastructure owners and users invest in strategic projects.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Specific demographic group outcomes

All Canadians

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

The program supports a wide range of transportation infrastructure investments in trade corridors to allow for the efficient and fluid movement of goods across Canada. The benefits, which accrue to Canadians, include affordable access to goods that individuals and businesses require in daily life, including agricultural goods, medicine, construction materials, food products.

Transport Canada received data from Statistics Canada relating to gender, education level, income, and age in key transportation sector occupations. These include air pilots, flight engineers, flying instructors for the air sector, deck officers for marine, truck drivers, and railway and yard locomotive engineers for rail.

All four occupation groups are male dominated, with 95.7% of truck drivers, 94% of railway engineers, 92.6% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors, and 89.4% of marine deck officers being male. All four occupational groups also have a small proportion of young workers (age 15-24 years), with none having higher than 5.5% of workers being in that age range. Income distribution varies, with air pilots, marine deck officers, and railway engineers having a higher average income.

Transport Canada is committed to integrating GBA Plus data analysis into program design and development. This includes identifying opportunities to design programming that collects GBA Plus data to report on outcomes, where applicable.

National Trade Corridors Fund(NTCF)

Data collected includes the number of projects funded, by province and territory, and the number of projects currently underway or completed. This data is useful as it pertains to Canada’s Territorial North, where a significant population of Inuit live and work. Investments in this region provide access to communities and unlock resource-rich areas that will contribute to new jobs and economic growth activity.

Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
NTCF Projects funded in the North The NTCF has funded 26 projects in Arctic and Northern Regions NTCF Project approvals Projects support connecting communities and building infrastructure. Of these, 3 projects are completed, and the remaining are underway.

*2024–25 or most recent

Other key program impacts

Access to affordable goods is a key driver of economic well-being, and a lack of access disproportionately impacts lower-income, women, and racialized Canadians. These groups often spend a higher proportion of their income on essential goods (e.g., food, hygiene products and transportation). This is further compounded by access challenges in remote and Northern regions, where transportation of goods can be limited at certain times of the year (e.g., fly-in or marine-only access). Connecting these communities to Canada’s trade corridors will contribute to economic well-being and bring new opportunities to people in the region including Inuit and First Nations Peoples.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Transport Canada acquired GBA Plus data from Statistics Canada’s 2021 census. Conducted every five years, the Census is a nationwide survey that collects comprehensive information about the Canadian population, including demographics, languages, income, education, and employment. This data supports evidence-based decision-making by governments, researchers, and organizations. The next census is scheduled for May 2026, with data expected to be released starting in mid-2027. In the interim, Transport Canada will continue to provide GBA Plus data from the 2021 Census.

Four specific data sets were purchased:

  • Visible Minority
  • Indigenous Identity
  • Immigration Status
  • Education

For each of these data sets the program has the following data:

  • Industry (including transportation sector)
  • Employment Income (median and average income)
  • Work Activity (part-time, full-time, etc.)
  • Geography (urban and rural)
  • Age (seven different age groups starting with 15-24 years)
  • Gender (men, women, total)

Transportation Analysis

Program goals: The Transportation Analysis Program conducts research and analysis to better understand the key indicators affecting the transportation sector. This includes key barriers to recruitment, training, and retention of underrepresented groups (e.g., women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, Inuit, and Northerners) into the transportation labour force sector. Transport Canada continues to work with various partners to support the creation of quality jobs and to ensure Canada’s workers have the skills and training needed to support our economy and businesses.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors.
Specific demographic group outcomes

No specific demographic groups have been identified as experiencing benefits or harms as a result of this analysis. The data is being shared internally to Transport Canada and no barriers to participation have been identified.

The job vacancy rate in the transportation and warehousing sector declined from 3.6% in March 2024 to 2.8% in March 2025. This is now slightly below the economy-wide average, which declined from 4% to 3.0% over the same period.

In 2024, the transportation sector played a vital role in the national economy as it relates to moving $1.6 trillion worth of international trade, contributing $92.5 billion (4.1%) of Canada’s gross domestic product, and employing 1.02 million workers. The transportation workforce faces ongoing challenges around workforce diversity and representation across various demographic groups. Key workforce characteristics include:

Sex and Gender:

  • Women remain significantly underrepresented, making up just 7% of air pilots, 4% of truckers, 11% of deck officers, and 6% of railway engineers.
  • The workforce remains predominantly male and white, including a lack of gender and racial diversity in many transportation sectors.

Age:

  • Young Canadians (age 15 to 24 years) make up 13% of the national labour force.
  • Mid-career workers (aged 25 years to 45 years) make up 43% of the national labour force.
  • Older workers (aged 45 to 64 years) make up 38% of the national labour force.

Indigenous Representation:

  • Indigenous Peoples are the fastest-growing population, represent only 5% of truck drivers and 3% of air pilots, flight engineers and instructors.

Immigration:

  • Immigrants account for 25% of the Canadian population but hold 29% are trucking jobs, 16% are pilots and 10% are marine deck officers.

Geographic and Economic Factors:

  • Rural workers often dominate marine deck officers and truckers with 34% and 26%, respectively, compared to the national average of 17%.
  • Economic barriers for high training costs limit access for lower-income individuals.

Education:

  • Students have graduated with a post-secondary education and/or training certificate from a known accredited institution. Those who graduated are broken down into the following categories:
    • 86% of air pilots, flight engineers, mechanics or instructors
    • 84% are marine deck officers or engineers
    • 55% are railway engineers
    • 46% are truckers

Several key drivers and challenges have been identified in the transportation sector, which include, but are not limited to:

  • demographic changes and a rapidly aging workforce;
  • social, cultural, and economic barriers leading to challenges in recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups;
  • innovation and emerging technologies that require new and upskilling of current skills;
  • high training costs and time to invest in upgrades to certification and licensing;
  • low entry-level wages;
  • work-life balance (especially for single parents);
  • lack of awareness of career opportunities; and,
  • regulatory barriers blocking innovative training methods.
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

This program uses existing census data collected by Statistics Canada to conduct internal analysis (to support analysis on transportation labour shortages) and to support other teams within Transport Canada who need data for their own GBA Plus analysis.

Transport Canada’s Marine Training Program trains underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous Peoples, Inuit, and Northern, and women, for employment in the marine sector. The training program reflects traditional knowledge, uses culturally appropriate learning materials, and meets the learning needs of remote coastal communities. The department is also negotiating reciprocal agreements with several countries for recognition of marine certifications to fill vacant seafarer positions in Canada.

Other work looks at pilot testing digital methods to speed up the processing of worker certification and licensing in federally regulated transportation sectors (e.g., aviation, marine and rail). For aviation, Transport Canada continues to undertake digital transformation initiatives designed to streamline exams, flight tests, and licensing services to bring a more efficient and user-friendly system.

Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment

Distribution within the transportation industry (in-demand occupations) of the following groups:

  1. Women
  2. Youth
  3. Indigenous Peoples
  4. Immigrants
  5. Geographic and Economic Factors
  6. Education
  1. Women make up approximately 7% of pilots, 4% of truckers, 11% of deck officers, and 6% of railway engineers.
  2. In the transportation sector, young Canadians (age 15 to 24 years) make up 13% of the national labour force; mid-career workers (aged 25 to 44 years) make up 43% and older workers (aged 45 to 64 years) make up 38% of the national labour force.
  3. Indigenous Peoples are the fastest growing population but make up 5% of truck drivers and 3% of air pilots, flight engineers and instructors.
  4. Immigrants account for 25% of the Canadian population, but 29% are truck drivers, 16% are pilots and 10% are marine deck officers.
  5. Rural workers often dominate marine deck officers and truckers with 34% and 26%, respectively, compared to the national average of 17%.
  6. Students who graduated with a post-secondary or training certificate are 86% as air pilots, flight engineers, mechanics or instructors; 84% are marine deck officers or engineers; 55% are railway engineers; and 46% are truckers.

2021 Census Canada and Statistics Canada reports.

Industry reports (e.g., Trucking HR Canada, Canadian Council of Aviation).

Commissioned reports (e.g., Conference Board of Canada, Deloitte).

 Statistics are from the 2021 Census Canada and Statistic Canada reports.

*2024–25 or most recent

Other key program impacts

The program does not have specific indicators but shares existing data to other Transport Canada groups to support their work. This includes data on representation in the transportation workforce, such as the presence of women, racialized groups, immigrants, and Indigenous Peoples, as well as employment and wage gaps.

Supplementary information sources

Source for all program data is Statistics Canada's Census of Population 2016 and 2021. The next year of census data to be purchased will be 2026.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Building on extensive analysis undertaken in 2023-24, Transport Canada continued to promote internally the use of 2021 Census data and engaged a discussion on the importance and limitations of the use of disaggregated data in transportation policy work, and raise awareness on the importance of GBA Plus and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work. This includes engagement sessions that were held with stakeholders and clients within the department to continue to raise awareness and solicit their input to continue to refine this analysis. The addition of new GBA Plus indicators continues to be investigated and advanced to provide additional insights and user analysis. The program also continued to explore the National Travel Survey microdata available on Statistics Canada’s website to gather more information on transportation users disaggregated by level of income and sex.

Transport Canada does not directly collect internal data on the transportation sector. Instead, it leverages existing data sources to identify gaps and inform our work. For GBA Plus, the department primarily uses data from the 2021 Census, which provides comprehensive information on mobility and the Canadian transportation labour force.

To monitor and report on impacts by gender and diversity, Transport Canada collects sufficient data to develop analyses and presentations relating to diversity and inequalities within Canada’s transportation workforce. The program has also engaged the transportation sector stakeholders to gather input that supports this work. Additionally, it incorporates data from various sources, including Employment and Social Development Canada’s COPS data and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada program data (e.g., temporary foreign workers, express entry, foreign students, and post-graduate work permits).

Looking ahead, the program will continue to integrate gender and diversity-related data into its analysis where relevant. The department will seek out new data sources from international organizations, other jurisdictions, academia, and industry associations within the transportation sector. Relevant gender and diversity datasets will be published on the Transportation Data and Information, as they become available. This work is ongoing, and no specific timelines apply.

Transportation Infrastructure

Program goals: The Transportation Infrastructure Program provides efficient and effective delivery of programs in the domains of transportation infrastructure and services in the air and marine modes to ensure that transportation assets and services are available for use to support local economic development and respond to social needs while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, such as accessible washrooms and family-friendly policies.

Target population: All Canadians

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-balanced
By income level No significant distributional impact
By age group No significant intergenerational impacts or impacts on generations between youths and seniors
Key program impacts on gender and diversity

In regard to managing Transport Canada’s legacy transportation assets and other activities within the program, Transport Canada does not collect socio-demographic data on users that would allow monitoring differential impacts on clients of differing genders/other intersecting identities. Activities are not expected to negatively impact Canadians based on gender or relative vulnerability. Transport Canada facilities and ferry vessels must comply with relevant regulatory and other requirements, including the provision of separate gendered washrooms and accessible washrooms. More broadly, the operation of these assets plays an important role in terms of supporting local economic development, including tourism, as well as responding to social needs and serving local populations.

The three Eastern Canada Ferry Services support local communities and are important to regional economies. Ferries owned by Transport Canada are Canadian-flagged and must comply with Canadian Flag State rules and meet Canadian regulatory requirements, including safety issues and the inclusion of accessible washrooms on board. The operators do not collect gender specific data from travelers. Passenger vehicle crossings make up the majority of traffic for each of the three routes, with commercial traffic comprising, on average, ten percent of traffic. The commercial trucking industry is comprised primarily of male truck drivers. There are separate men’s and women’s washroom facilities at all six ferry terminals and on the four vessels. The ferry services also have family-friendly travel policies in place, which provide space for the unique needs of different groups of passengers, including women (e.g., women traveling with children). Safety features, such as maintaining well-lit passenger areas, improving onboard security and protection, which are presumably of greater benefit to persons of all identity factors.

Ferry users, tourists, local, and regional communities of all identity factors will directly benefit from the proposal through the provision of safe and reliable ferry services supporting the movement of people and goods. The operators are expected to continue to offer family-friendly policies, such as children under a certain age traveling at no cost and different fares for children, students, adults and seniors, including both men and women. Consistent with current practice, fare increases will be capped at the level of inflation up to a maximum of two percent.

Vessel repair and maintenance are done in Canada, which directly benefits the local communities through the provision of well-paying jobs while providing industrial and broader long-term economic benefits (e.g., regional economic development and long-term job creation). It supports tourism and commercial activities in Eastern Canada through the continued provision of safe and reliable ferry services.

GBA Plus data collection plan

Within the program, there are no planned actions to collect GBA Plus data at this time. Neither Transport Canada nor the operators of Transport Canada-owned ferries and certain airports collect socio-demographic data on users that would support monitoring differential impacts on clients of differing genders/other intersecting identities. GBA Plus analysis is completed with respect to certain program renewals and Treasury Board Submissions within the program, such as for the renewal of the Ports Asset Transfer Program, and for new ferry vessel procurement.

Transportation Marketplace Frameworks

Program goals: The Transportation Marketplace Frameworks Program creates the policies, laws, regulations, and international agreements that encourage Canada’s transportation sector to be efficient movers of people and goods, and competitive. One of the key objectives related to GBA Plus is to improve diversity and inclusion across the Transport Canada portfolio.

Target population: Concerning appointments across Transport Canada, the Crown Corporation and Portfolio Governance division at Transport Canada collects data to measure the rate of success in equity-seeking communities for Governor in Council (GiC) and Ministerial appointees; to increase the level of representation, where possible; and making fact-based decisions.

Distribution of benefits
Distribution Group
By gender Broadly gender-based
By income level No significant distributional impacts
By age group Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation
Specific demographic group outcomes

The Program benefits the demographic group identified given this group comprises the majority of appointees.

Key program impacts on gender and diversity

Data is collected to track progress and measure success in achieving the Government of Canada’s 50-30 objective. One of the key objectives is to improve diversity and inclusion across Transport Canada. Recruitment strategies focus on attracting qualified candidates who reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of linguistic, employment equity groups (i.e., women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities), as well as members of ethnic and cultural groups.

The 50 – 30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, Canadian businesses and diversity organizations.

The goal of the program is to challenge Canadian organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplaces, while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table.

The 50 – 30 Challenge asks that organizations aspire to two goals:

  • Gender parity (50% women and/or non-binary people) on Canadian boards and/or in senior management; and
  • Significant representation (30%) on Canadian boards and/or senior management of members of other equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Racialized, Black, and/or People of colour ("Visible Minorities"), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit, as the founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.
Key program impact statistics
Statistic Observed results* Data source Comment
Gender 42% are women Candidate Self-Declaration Form Observed results are based on the information contained in the self-declaration forms submitted and do not account for candidates refraining to self-declaring.
Visible Minorities 9% are visible minorities Candidate Self-Declaration Form Observed results are based on the information contained in the self-declaration forms submitted and do not account for candidates refraining to self-declaring.
Indigenous 7% are Indigenous Candidate Self-Declaration Form Observed results are based on the information contained in the self-declaration forms submitted and do not account for candidates refraining to self-declaring.
People with disabilities 2% are people with disabilities Candidate Self-Declaration Form Observed results are based on the information contained in the self-declaration forms submitted and do not account for candidates refraining to self-declaring.
2SLGBTQ+ 2% are 2SLGBTQ+ Candidate Self-Declaration Form Observed results are based on the information contained in the self-declaration forms submitted and do not account for candidates refraining to self-declaring.

*2024–25 or most recent

GBA Plus data collection plan

Recognizing gaps in information collection as self-identification is voluntary, the program has implemented direct communication with federal appointees within the Transport Canada portfolio to ask them to self-identify. This information is used to update data analysis tools already in place and to provide more concrete and reliable information analysis. The program continues to collect this data as new appointments are made. Recruitment strategies are focusing on attracting qualified candidates who reflect Canada’s diversity in terms of linguistic, employment equity groups (i.e., women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities), as well as members of ethnic and cultural groups.

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