Finance Canada says there are ‘limits’ to transparency on gender-based analysis
OTTAWA — A newly released memo from Finance Canada says departmental officials regularly examine how proposals from across the government affect women and men in different ways, but suggests they want to keep their conclusions secret.
The document discusses how the federal government would respond to a June 2016 report on gender-based analysis from the House of Commons committee on status of women, which recommended such analysis be mandatory across all departments and agencies.
The memo, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, indicates the long-standing practice of federal cabinet secrecy would prevent the sharing of analyses.
“While we aim for the highest level of transparency, due to Cabinet confidences there are limits to what central agencies can provide to third parties with respect to reporting on our challenge functions,” says the Aug. 30, 2016, memo to Paul Rochon, the deputy minister.