Lab worker wearing lab coat, safety goggles and using a pipette on a blue green background.

What We Heard: Sex and Gender Based Analysis Plus Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus questionnaire on biosafety and biosecurity resources in June 2025. More than 600 respondents shared their experiences and perspectives, providing valuable insight into how Public Health Agency of Canada resources are used and where improvements could be made.

Overall, respondents expressed strong confidence in the Public Health Agency’s Centre for Biosecurity. Most agreed that the information provided supports compliance with the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations, and many highlighted the Training Portal, Pathogen Safety Data Sheets, and interactions with knowledgeable Centre for Biosecurity staff as key strengths. Importantly, the analysis found no statistically significant differences in experiences across demographic groups, suggesting the regulatory framework itself does not create differential impacts.

Where challenges were identified, they were primarily operational in nature. Respondents noted the need to:

  • improve clarity with plain-language
  • provide more practical examples
  • strengthen French translation quality
  • enhance search and navigation functions within online resources

A small number of respondents also raised accessibility considerations within their facilities and laboratories, including:

  • limited access to appropriately sized and culturally compatible personal protective equipment (for example: personal protective equipment that accommodates different body types or religious attire)
  • lack of seating or benches for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (impacting staff with limited mobility or age-related physical considerations)
  • physical workspace constraints (particularly in older facilities or regions with limited internet access)

We are using this feedback to strengthen the integration of Sex and Gender Based Analysis Plus considerations into biosafety and biosecurity resources, communications, and engagement activities. We sincerely appreciate the time invested and thoughtful input provided and look forward to continuing this dialogue as we work to improve our programs and tools.