Home : Reports and Publications : Departmental Strategies : Official Languages Act : 2002-2003
Part 1: General Information
1. Identification of institution
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 1500, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, AB T5J 4H7
Telephone: (780) 495-4164
Facsimile: (780) 495-4557
Web site: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca
2. Brief description of the institution's mandate
"Working with the West", (Western Economic Diversification Canada, 2003)
The Departmental Mandate
Founded in 1987, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is mandated to promote the development and diversification of the economy of western Canada and to advance the interests of the West in national economic policy. WD has offices located in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. In addition, the department has a Western Canada Business Service Network delivering services throughout the West.
WD pursues activities that:
- support the development of new and innovative technologies;
- encourage and support western enterprise in business; and
- ensure sustainable prosperity in communities throughout the region.
Although WD's three strategic directions - Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Communities - can be described individually, in reality they are not discrete, but intertwined. Innovation is often the result of entrepreneurial activities that drive the emergence of new sources of long-term employment and wealth. That, in turn, enhances the sustainability of local communities and the quality of life for their residents. Many of WD's initiatives are designed to address several priorities at once.
In all its activities, WD uses strategic partnerships - with other levels of government, the private sector, universities and communities - to maximize the investment in western Canada's most valuable resources, the talents, energies and ideas of its people.
Underlying all of WD's initiatives is the goal of ensuring that every western Canadian - including Aboriginal people, youth, women, Francophones, and residents of remote and northern communities - has an opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, the economic success of the West and our entire country.
Understanding the West
"Western Canadians stand at the intersection of dramatic
change in both their region and the global environment.... The choices
we make today will have a decisive impact on the prosperity of the
West for generations to come."
- From Building the New West, an initiative of the Canada West Foundation,
sponsored by Western Economic Diversification Canada in partnership
with provincial governments and private donors.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) plays a central role in ensuring western needs are taken into account in national policy decisions. WD acts as an advocate for the West by working with stakeholders to achieve the synergy necessary for collective action on specific projects. Advocacy can also involve a much broader range of activities necessary to harness the collaborative efforts of a diverse group of stakeholders on common initiatives.
The first step in developing new policies and initiatives for western Canadians is understanding the region's needs, aspirations, and opportunities. Each year, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) sponsors a number of research projects and initiatives that lead to a better understanding of critical areas such as: opportunities in medical research, trends in small business, research infrastructure capacity, urban growth challenges, and broad economic and social trends. Many of these research initiatives are funded in partnership with provincial governments, academic institutions, think tanks and the private sector.
3. Officers responsible
| Departmental Champion: | Judy Ferguson Assistant Deputy Minister Ottawa Region 141 Laurier Street, 5th Floor Ottawa, ON K1P 5J3 Telephone: (613) 952-7096 Facsimile: (613) 941-1096 Internet: judy.ferguson@wd-deo.gc.ca |
| National Coordinator: | Anastasia Lim Headquarters Western Economic Diversification Canada Suite 1500, Canada Place 9700 Jasper Ave. Edmonton, AB T5J 4H7 Telephone: (780) 495-4977 Facsimile: (780) 495-6876 Internet: anastasia.lim@wd-deo gc.ca |
| British Columbia Regional Coordinator: |
Jean Laberge |
| Alberta Regional Coordinator: |
Kiran Cahoon |
| Saskatchewan Regional Coordinator: |
Marie Bouchard |
| Manitoba Regional Coordinator: |
Denise Lécuyer |
4. Period covered by Action Plan
This Status Report covers the activities and achievements for the period of April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003. The Action Plan itself is a multi-year plan, covering April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2004.