Join the discussion: Gender-based Analysis Plus of the CanExport Program
Current status: Closed
Opened on July 20, 2022 and closed to new input on August 9, 2022
Consulting with past CanExport SMEs program applicants
The Government of Canada is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion across the whole-of-government to achieve better results for all Canadians. To support this mandate, the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is reviewing its CanExport program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to ensure that it creates equitable outcomes that foster a more inclusive approach to trade.
As part of this effort, we are holding a public consultation to hear from past CanExport SMEs clients that are traditionally under-represented in international trade that have applied to the program, but whose project was declined for funding. This includes businesses owned or led by:
- women
- Indigenous Peoples
- people who are part of visible minority groups
- members of the LGBTQ2 community
We welcome comments on your experiences, ideas or proposals as part of this consultation.
Canadians have until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 9, 2022, to express their interest in participating by filling out this survey: CanExport Review: Group Discussion Recruitment Tool.
Purpose of the consultations
The objective of the CanExport Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) consultation is to:
- assess whether applicants have encountered any barriers and/or unconscious bias
- determine how the program can be improved from an equity, diversity, and inclusion perspective
- increase the levels of participation and approval rates for businesses that are owned or led by people from diverse backgrounds
The TCS uses GBA+ to help policy-makers incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion in the way that we deliver programs. This approach will ensure that the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade and investment are more widely shared by Canadian businesses owned and led by people from all backgrounds.
We would like to hear what your program experience has been like, in order to identify the nature of encountered barriers (if applicable) and implement effective changes to address them.
Who is the focus of this consultation
This consultation is open to CanExport SMEs past applicants whose projects were declined for funding, whose businesses are owned or led by groups that are traditionally underrepresented in international trade. These groups are:
- women
- Indigenous Peoples
- people who are part of visible minority groups
- members of the LGBTQ2 community
Consultation details
CanExport has hired Goss Gilroy inc. (GGI), expert GBA+ consultants, to organize and conduct a two-way discussion between participants and a GGI consultant, to identify the nature of encountered barriers, and exchange ideas and proposals to help inform decisions.
CanExport is seeking to consult 10 English speaking, and 10 French speaking CanExport SMEs past applicants self-identifying as a member of a diversity group, whose project had been denied for funding in the past. The individuals that respond first will be prioritized for participation in the consultation group, which should last approximately an hour.
GGI will provide background information and a consultation questionnaire in advance to participants to help frame and guide discussions.
Consultations will be in English and in French via an online meeting platform (such as MS Teams, Zoom or WebEx). GGI will coordinate with you to find a time for this discussion.
The points that you raise in discussions with GGI will be kept confidential and results will be presented in aggregate form only. These discussions will not have any impact on any current or future funding applications to the CanExport Program.
Privacy notice
All personal information created, held or collected will be kept strictly confidential; it is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on how information will be collected, please read Global Affairs Canada’s privacy statement
Related links
- Date Modified:
