From 1998 through March 2002, the Canada/Manitoba Economic Development Partnership Agreement directed $40 million into strategic projects that will expand the international competitiveness of Manitoba’s key growth sectors, commercialize new technologies, assist small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs, enhance the long-term economic self-sustainability of rural and urban communities, and increase tourism potential. The federal and provincial governments each contributed $20 million to the agreement.

The Partnership Agreement continues a history of federal/provincial cost-shared economic development agreements between the two governments. The purpose of the agreement is to promote greater federal- provincial co-operation in Manitoba’s economic development through a partnership program of strategic investments with other interested stakeholders.

The agreement is administered for Manitoba through the Canada/Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat, and for the federal government through Western Economic Diversification.