Mandate

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) was established in 1987 to help lessen Western Canada’s (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) strong economic dependence on natural resources. Under the Western Economic Diversification Act, 1988, the Department is mandated 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.”

In order to achieve this mandate, WD has worked with, and on behalf of, western Canadians to address a wide range of issues that affect the region’s long-term prosperity and the ability of its communities to prosper economically.

The Department organizes its programs and services to achieve the following Strategic Outcomes:

• A competitive and expanded business sector in Western Canada and a strengthened western Canadian innovation system (Entrepreneurship and Innovation);
• Economically viable communities in Western Canada with a high quality of life (Community Economic Development); and
• Policies and programs that support the development of Western Canada (Policy, Advocacy and Coordination).

WD’s strategic investments in these areas will help to fulfill WD’s vision to be a leader in creating a more diversified western Canadian economy that has competitive and innovative businesses and communities.

2007-2008 Highlights and Accomplishments

WD has not historically received many Privacy requests, and in 2007-2008 the Department received no requests under the Privacy Act.

Likewise, the department did not receive any privacy complaints, was not subject to any investigations, and there were no appeals or applications submitted to the Federal Courts.

However, as a result of the Management Accountability Framework, Treasury Board Secretariat identified deficiencies in WD’s Info Source listing on Sources of Employee Information and Personal Information Banks. While this feedback was received to late to improve its 2007 reporting requirements in this area, the ATIP Officer met with TBS officials in November 2007 to better understand the improvements required. In January 2008, the department’s Executive Committee approved the establishment of an Info Source Steering Committee to review WD’s listings. This committee incorporates various business areas of the department, and processes will be established to ensure the listings are kept evergreen and that new Personal Information Banks are registered with Treasury Board Secretariat.

Also noteworthy, WD has improved awareness of its ATIP responsibilities on its public web site (see Appendix B).