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Home : Programs and Services
Programs & Services
Core Programs | Non-Core Programs | Legislation
Core Programs
Western Diversification Program (WDP): Supports activities that develop and diversify the western Canadian economy and activities where economic benefits and job creation occur primarily within Western Canada. Funding is focused on activities that support innovation, promote a competitive and expanded business sector in Western Canada, and develop sustainable communities that improve the competitiveness and quality of life in the West.
Under the WDP, there are several major initiatives, including:
- Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs): Represent a multi-year funding commitment to foster increased economic activity and to improve the quality of life in communities across Western Canada. WEPAs, which are equally cost-shared with each of the four western provinces, will allocate $50 million to targeted federal and provincial priorities, including innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable communities.
- Conference Support Program (CSP): Offers a means for WD to develop and maintain valuable linkages with important western stakeholder groups. This program offers support to non-profit industry associations, economic development organizations and academic institutions holding conferences and events that support federal government and WD objectives.
- The Canada Foundation for Innovation Support Program : Designed to enhance western institutions' rates of participation in the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). WD reimburses qualified western research institutions up to 90 per cent of eligible direct costs incurred to a maximum of $20,000 for to assist with the cost of preparing a CFI proposal.
WD Loan Investment Fund Program : Leveraged loan funds in partnership with various financial institutions. WD contributes funds to a "loan loss reserve", which is intended to partly offset higher risks associated with eligible loans. This allows financial institutions to supply loan capital to clients to whom it would not otherwise make loans.
Business Service Delivery Network Program : Supports increased access to services in Western Canada through service delivery agreements with community-based organizations that provide business services and access to capital. An example of recipients of funding under this program are the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOS) that provide enhanced services to Francophones, including training, access to capital, information services, marking advice, networking and marketing.
Community Futures Program (CFP) : Supports Community Futures Development Corporations to enhance economic development in rural areas. Contributions support the service delivery costs of CFDCs in the four western provinces and provide capital for an investment fund. This investment fund provides financial assistance local SMEs to create and maintain employment in the community.
Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI) : Provide business guidance and services to over 40,000 women across the Western Canadian provinces, with loans, business counseling and skills training.
Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs) : Provide the public with a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations and respond to enquiries regarding starting a new business or improving an existing one.
Non-Core Programs
Non-core funding represents Government of Canada funds delivered by WD in support of national initiatives.
Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative (SICEAI) : An Industry Canada program delivered by WD in the West. This national program, which was completed 31 March 2005, supported forest-dependent communities across Canada that experienced a negative impact on local employment since the introduction of the U.S. countervailing duties on softwood lumber.
Infrastructure Canada Program : Improves urban and rural community infrastructure and Canadians' quality of life. The program is cost-shared with provincial and municipal levels of government and with private partners where applicable. WD delivers this national program in the four western provinces.
Red River Flood Protection Program : Reflects the on-going water control and dyke-building efforts associated with the Manitoba flood.
Legislation That Governs Program Activity And Expenditures Of WD Include:
Western Economic Diversification Act  : The purpose of this Act is to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of Western Canada in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation. The Act requires that the WD Minister undertake three mandatory duties :
- guide, promote and coordinate the policies and programs, including those related to industrial benefits, of the Government of Canada in relation to the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada;
- lead and coordinate the efforts of the Government of Canada to establish cooperative relationships with the provinces constituting Western Canada, business, labour and other public and private organizations for the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada; and
- compile detailed information on all programs and projects undertaken by the Minister for the purpose of measuring trends, development and progress in the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada.
Small Business Loans Act and Canada Small Business Financing Act : These two Acts authorize the development and expansion of small business across Canada in cooperation with financial institutions. Through this legislation, loan loss guarantees are provided to the financial institutions, which grant loans to eligible businesses as provided for under the Acts. Although WD reports the western Canadian portion of this statutory financing, the Small Business program is administered entirely by Industry Canada.
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