Home : Reports and Publications : Audit & Evaluation : Evaluation of the WCBSN – Sept 2004
1.0 Introduction
This document presents the findings and conclusions of the evaluation of the Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN). The overall objective of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, design, performance monitoring, and results of the WCBSN.
This section will present background information with respect to WCBSN, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), Women's Enterprise Initiatives (WEIs), Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs) and Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs). This section also details the evaluation issues and questions used to guide this evaluation. The next section (2.0) will outline the methodology used in this evaluation.
1.1 Structure of Report
This report is structured as follows:
- Section 1 contains this introduction, background information and evaluation questions;
- Section 2 presents the methodology;
- Section 3 presents the evaluation findings by issue;
- Section 4 outlines the key conclusions; and
- Section 5 presents the recommendations.
Annex A contains the overall survey findings.
Annexes B, C, D and E contain the survey findings by region.
1.2 Background
1.1.1 WCBSN
The mandate of Western Economic Diversification Canada's (WD) is to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of the West in national economic policy. These are, in part, achieved through WD's Western Canada Business Service Network, which has over 100 points of service including Community Futures Development Corporations, offices of the Women's Enterprise Initiative, Canada Business Service Centres, Francophone Economic Development Organizations and WD regional offices.
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)
With over 90 offices across the western provinces, the CFDCs play a key delivery role for WD. The primary focus of CFDCs is community economic development, access to capital, business services and strategic planning. CFDCs are non-profit corporations run by volunteer boards of directors, supported by staff. Each CFDC delivers a variety of services, which may include:
- local strategic economic planning;
- technical and advisory services to businesses;
- self-employment assistance programs; and
- services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities.
CFDC also provides financing opportunities to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Loans on commercial terms, equity financing, and loan guarantees are available through the CFDCs. In general, businesses seeking financing must:
- be located in a rural area of one of the four western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta or British Columbia);
- operate, or about to operate, in a designated CFDC area;
- contribute to local economic growth; and
- be seeking financing of up to $125 000.
The CFDCs local volunteer Board of Directors assesses applications. Training and assistance on preparing business plans are also available at the CFDC offices. CFDCs also deliver the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program, which provide loans of up to $125,000 to entrepreneurs with disabilities (see the document Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program).
Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs)
CBSCs are a network of offices located all across Canada. CBSCs aim to serve as Canada's primary source of timely and accurate business-related information and referrals on federal programs, services and regulations, without charge, in all regions of the country.
In Western Canada, the centres are known locally by names such as 'Business Services' or 'The Business Link' (see Figure 1). Most of the centres have their main offices in major cities. They also support a number of other centres in smaller locations spread across each province.
Table 1: An Overview of CBSCs in the Four Western Provinces
Centre name |
Business Services |
The Business Link |
Business Infosource |
Business Service Centre |
Centre location |
Vancouver |
Edmonton |
Saskatoon |
Winnipeg |
Other offices |
Victoria |
Calgary |
Regina |
|
Regional Access Centres |
63 |
34 |
16 |
23 |
Source: CBSC Evaluation, July 2002
CBSCs were designed to give Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a 'one-window' approach for business information. Behind the scenes, however, about 37 different federal, provincial and municipal departments work with the centres to provide the information needed by clients. In addition, the regional access centres are usually operated in partnership with local public or private sector organizations.
Women's Enterprise Initiatives (WEIs)
The objective of the Women's Enterprise Initiative is to provide customized services to help women entrepreneurs succeed. Funded through WD, offices of the Women's Enterprise Initiative provide business information and services specifically aimed at women entrepreneurs. Each WD region has set up its own component of this pan-western initiative. The WEI offices provide business loans, advice and information, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities. The non-profit groups, led by volunteer boards of entrepreneurs and business professionals, offer help to women who want to start and grow their own business.
Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs)
To further enhance Francophone economic development in French language minority communities, WD has brought FEDOs into the WCBSN. FEDOs operate in each of the four western provinces. The partners are La Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique, La Chambre économique de l'Alberta, Le Conseil de la coopération de la Saskatchewan and Le Conseil de développement économique du Manitoba.
FEDOs help ensure that relevant products and services are delivered in French speaking communities. FEDOs currently provide, to the extent possible, a comparable type and level of service as other service delivery network partners. They are independent entities that have their own boards of directors with broad representation from their respective provinces. Board members are knowledgeable about business as well as the challenges facing Francophone entrepreneurs.
Support from WD enables the four provincial organizations to provide enhanced services to Francophones, including:
- training;
- business and community economic development;
- access to capital;
- information services;
- marketing advice; and
- networking and mentoring.
1.3 Evaluation Issues
The evaluation will address the following issues:
Relevance
- Is there a need for the WCBSN?
- Is there overlap between the members of the network?
Governance and Delivery
- Is the current partnering arrangement between WD and the members of the network appropriate?
- Is the level of financial support of WD appropriate?
- Are the contractual arrangements appropriate? Complete?
- Is WD the only partner to the network organizations? What is the role of the other partners?
- Are the roles and responsibilities of each member clear? Are they appropriate?
- Is the frequency and format of the communications/meetings between network members appropriate?
- Is the network fostering a consistent and cohesive approach? Are members working together? Is there a need for a regional association among partners?
Results and Impacts
- Are the networks' activities resulting in more effective organizations? Are they improving their internal governance? Service delivery? Impacts on entrepreneurs and communities?
- Are lessons/best practices shared between network members?
- Are the results of the network meeting WD's expectations?
Monitoring and Accountability
- Do the reports provided by networks members to WD timely? Do they allow WD to effectively monitor the performance of the network? What exactly should be reported?
Cost Effectiveness and Alternatives
- Is the network approach cost effective, considering the WD investments and returns? Are there more cost effective alternatives or solutions?