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Home : Publications : Departmental Publications : Working with the West
Supporting the western advantage
"Better national policy results from better input. The West has a strong tradition of public policy innovation, but needs the support of allies within the Government of Canada – like WD – to ensure that the Western perspective on national policy issues is heard and understood."
Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy
Canada's economic landscape is as diverse as its geography. In order to succeed, the unique challenges and opportunities that exist from coast to coast must be recognized and reflected in the national decision-making process, allowing every region to reach its potential and contribute to Canada's strength as a nation.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) ensures the West's voice is heard on the national stage. As an advocate for western interests, WD links the region's priorities with national resources and makes sure federal policies and programs meet the needs and aspirations of western Canadians. By coordinating programs between departments of the Government of Canada and with other economic development partners, WD maximizes the benefit received by the West.
WD brings people, ideas, communities and resources together in a collaborative effort to develop and diversify the western economy, and to achieve the West's goals of more sustainable communities, enhanced innovation performance and strengthened business competitiveness.
"WD's ability to bring stakeholders together, both directly and through funding research partnerships and conferences on western issues, is an essential ingredient in affecting meaningful changes in policies impacting the region."
-Canada West Foundation
Partnering for results
Since 1997, through its Canada Foundation for Innovation Support Program (CFI), WD has helped Western Canadian academic institutions receive $232.9 million in funding. The 72 awards to western institutions represent 27.6% of all CFI awards and 50.2% of CFI awards for national projects.
Western Canada's growing success is the result of contributions by numerous organizations – federal departments, western provincial governments, municipalities, academic and research institutions and community organizations – and countless individuals whose efforts enhance economic performance and quality of life in communities across the West. WD plays an essential role in bringing these diverse economic development stakeholders together to create pan-western perspectives and responses to emerging issues and opportunities.
Through these partnerships, WD matches national resources and strategies with regional needs and issues, leveraging those resources to derive maximize benefits for western Canadians.
In Alberta, for example, WD provided funding to help the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation develop the Greater Edmonton Competitiveness Strategy. The Strategy identified ten industry clusters that are creating a next-generation, knowledge-based economy in the region. In the Fall of 2004, one of these clusters, Microsystems and Nanotechnology, hosted a leading international conference to help drive the development of the industry. The 9 th Annual Conference on the Commercialization of Micro and Nano Systems, sponsored by WD, generated a $1.2 million economic impact and four new business connections that resulted in $1 million in new projects.
Championing western interests
Western Canada is a distinct region, with its own unique issues and priorities. WD plays an important role in ensuring western Canadian needs are taken into account in national policy decisions, influencing the decisions that impact western Canadian economic performance and quality of life.
Promoting the interests of Western Canada and western Canadians improves understanding and awareness of regional issues and opportunities, leads to action that helps achieve a more effective approach to western Canadian priorities and results in a greater share of federal program activity and procurement in Western Canada.
Examples include WD's work in assisting the establishment of the National Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Alberta and the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan; engaging western Canadian stakeholders on the development and implementation of national priorities such as the New Deal for Cities and Communities and environmental technologies; and ensuring Western Canada's interests are promoted abroad through Government of Canada trade and investment activities such as the U.S. Enhanced Representation Initiative.
Understanding the West
In 2004 WD established a three-year agreement to support the National Research Council's highly successful Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) in the West. Through the agreement, WD is providing $9 million to help small western firms develop new products, processes and services by working one-on-one with highly-skilled engineers and scientists. These investments are helping firms develop new products and services and market them domestically and globally. IRAP is putting the tools for success into the hands of Western Canada's entrepreneurs, building global competitiveness one community and one business at a time.
An understanding of the unique western reality is essential for the success of any venture in Western Canada. This is true for businesses, as well as for governments that create and implement policies and programs designed to impact the West's economic, social and environmental landscape.
Each year, WD supports a number of research projects and initiatives that lead to a better understanding of western trends, issues and opportunities. Recent examples include:
Western Canada's Cost Advantage: The Best Place to do Business! was developed by WD with International Trade Canada, Canadian Posts in the United States and the western provinces. Based on the 2004 KPMG Competitive Alternatives international business cost study, the brochure compares six Western Canadian cities with cities in the western U.S., demonstrating that Western Canada is a low-cost leader. January 2005.
Western Canada's Small Business Markets: A Survey of Selling was compiled by the University of Alberta's Western Centre for Economic Research. The report presents new findings on export markets served by western Canadian small businesses in the technology, manufacturing and business services sectors. December 2004.
From Mind to Market: Case Studies of Successful Environmental Technology Companies in Western Canada was produced by WD in response to arequest by participants in the December 2003 Environmental Technology Forum. The study profiles four western environmental technology companies that have taken a concept through commercialization to realize sustained revenue. November 2004.
Biodiesel in British Columbia is a feasibility study produced by Eco-Literacy Canada and WISE Energy Co-op. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the activities needed to establish commercial biodiesel entities in B.C., including an examination of standards and regulatory issues; technology availability; cost and processing analysis; potential markets and distribution channels; and environmental impact comparisons. May 2004.
A Primer on Western Canadian Entrepreneurship is a study conducted by the Western Centre for Economic Research. The Primer looks at various models describing the process of creating a new venture, considers the lessons provided by successful firms, and identifies some of the support structures available to start-ups in Western Canada. April 2004.
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