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Sub-program Descriptions

Business Development

Improve Business Productivity

This sub-program supports western Canadian businesses, business service providers, industry and research organizations to undertake initiatives to enhance business productivity and competitiveness. This includes promoting awareness and adoption of management and business practices, access to supply chains, creation of business networks and access to skilled labour. This will also improve access to business services for entrepreneurs and small business through programs and services offered in conjunction with other business services organizations and associations. The methods of intervention employed include both direct funding of projects to improve business productivity, as well as funding support of Western Economic Diversification's Network Partners such as the Community Futures Development Corporations, the Women Enterprise Initiative organizations, the Francophone Economic Development Organizations, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities organizations, and Canada Business centres. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program and the Community Futures Program.  Funding support of the Canada Business centres is operations and maintenance funding.

Market and Trade Development

This sub-program builds western Canadian companies' capacity and knowledge in international business development to increase their penetration into international markets. It focuses on helping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industries to prepare for and participate in international business development, improving trade corridors of importance to Western Canada, diversifying markets and exports, and assisting SMEs to pursue government procurement opportunities and participate in trade promotion activities. When companies engage in international business development, the size of the market is increased, jobs are created, economic prosperity is increased, and the competitiveness and productivity of the sector increases. The methods of intervention employed include both operational support as well as transfer payments made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Industry Collaboration

This sub-program supports industry collaboration, joint venturing and strategic alliances that support entrepreneurial development and growth of the business sector in Western Canada. The primary method of intervention is through the funding support of industry conferences.  The expected result is an increase in the number of successful partnerships and strategic alliances. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Foreign Direct Investment

This sub-program enhances the capacity of Western Canada to attract and retain foreign direct investment by increasing awareness of this market among foreign investors. Foreign direct investment plays a significant role in strengthening economic development and building the industrial critical mass required to successfully compete in the global economy. It contributes to productivity gains, technology transfer, and increased international trade. The primary method of invention/intervention employed is operational support provided to trade missions, including hosting foreign  delegation visiting Western Canada and participation in trade mission abroad. Where transfer payments are made in support of this sub-program,  they are under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Access to Capital

This sub-program improves access to risk capital for entrepreneurs and small business through financing and services offered in conjunction with other business services organizations and associations. It is designed to improve the general availability of risk capital, and to improve the coordination and collaboration of investment-related services. The methods of intervention employed include both direct funding of access to capital projects, as well as funding support of Western Economic Diversification's Network Partners such as the Community Futures Development Corporations, the Women Enterprise Initiative organizations, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities organizations, and the Francophone Economic Development Organization in Manitoba.   Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program, the Community Futures Program, the Women's Enterprise Initiative Loan Fund, the Service Delivery Network Program, and the Loan and Investment Program.

Innovation

Technology Adoption and Commercialization

This sub-program provides support to small- and medium-sized enterprises to increase the commercialization and adoption of technologies, products, processes and services in the marketplace. It is necessary as technology commercialization diversifies the economy of Western Canada away from resource extraction and technology adoption increases productivity and competitiveness. It will result in more technology-based products, processes and services entering the domestic and international marketplace. It assists organizations that generate knowledge and inventions on the commercialization pathway and to facilitate technology adoption. The method of intervention employed in support of this sub-program are transfer payments in made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Technology Linkages

This sub-program will invest in networks, industry associations and other initiatives or events designed to build connections and synergies among the players of the innovation system. It is necessary because innovation is not a linear process, and requires multiple inputs at various stages. It contributes to increased venture investments in technology firms, more technologies commercialized, sharing of best practices, and increased collaborations. It is geared toward all members of the innovation system. The method of intervention employed in support of this sub-program are transfer payments made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Technology Research & Development

This sub-program supports applied research and development that has the potential to lead to a commercial product or service. It is necessary because technologies resulting from research often require additional development, demonstration and proving before they are mature enough to attract investment necessary for commercialization. The primary method of intervention employed in support of this sub-program are transfer payments made to research institutions under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Community Innovation

This sub-program will support the innovation capacity of communities across Western Canada through support for planning studies, skill development in remote and northern areas, and enhancing knowledge infrastructure. It is necessary to assist communities in their transition from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. It focuses on non-metropolitan communities. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Technology Skills Development

This sub-program supports the development of specialized skills related to technology and commercialization through targeted training and through internships, which enhance the skill level of scientists and their ability to respond to industry needs. It is necessary because highly qualified personnel are key to the knowledge-based economy, and its growth. It addresses gaps in skills. The method of intervention employed in support of this sub-program are transfer payments are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Knowledge Infrastructure

This sub-program supports knowledge infrastructure such as research equipment or buildings, which are key for research and development or specialized training. It is necessary because the generation of knowledge leads to new technologies, which have commercial potential, and to training of highly qualified personnel, who have a direct economic impact on academic, government and industry. It is geared to academic institutions (universities and colleges), research institutions and research hospitals, and helps them support the knowledge economy. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Community Economic Development

Community Planning

This sub-program assists communities in one or more of the following six components of strategic planning and management: community vision, development goals, objectives, targets, projects, and monitoring & evaluation. The methods of intervention employed to provide this assistance include both direct funding support for community planning projects, as well as funding support of Western Economic Diversification's Network Partners engaged in community planning activities, such as the Community Futures Development Corporations and the Francophone Economic Development Organizations.  The community vision provides the fundamental direction for the whole strategic planning process and is based upon the community’s values. The vision may arise from an assessment of the community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. The development goals are the set of desired outcomes that will take the community toward their vision. The development objectives are more specific and concrete outcomes, which must be achieved to move toward the desired goals. Targets are developed for each objective and include both timelines and specific achievement levels. Projects are the fundamental building blocks of the development strategy. Monitoring the progress of the economic development plan on an ongoing basis and evaluating the success of the community’s projects and other initiatives allows for adjustments to be made to the plan along the way. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program and the Community Futures Program.

Community Development

This sub-program strengthens the viability of the local economy, enhances community capacity and increases the participation of community members by encouraging and supporting them to take responsibility for their own economic development. It involves investments in communities that stimulate economic development and capitalize on the capacity, strengths and opportunities identified through community planning. The methods of intervention employed include both direct funding support for community development projects, as well as funding support of Western Economic Diversification's Network Partners engaged in community development activities, such as the Community Futures Development Corporation and the Francophone Economic Development Organizations. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program and the Community Futures Program.

Community Economic Adjustment

This sub-program assists communities facing severe adjustment impacts due to changing economic circumstances or events impacting on community well-being. Western Economic Diversification takes a leadership role in coordinating the efforts of the Government of to ensure a strategic and appropriate response that reflects community capacity and opportunities. The method of intervention employed in support of this sub-program are transfer payments made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Community Infrastructure

This sub-program provides community infrastructure funding in Western Canada to meet the Government of Canada's commitment to growth and the quality of life of all Canadians. It will renew and build infrastructure in rural and urban municipalities across Canada allowing them to compete in the regional, national and global economy. Western Economic Diversification delivers infrastructure programming in partnership with Infrastructure Canada and the four western provincial governments. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Infrastructure Canada Program and the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program.

Policy, Advocacy, Coordination

Collaboration and Coordination

This sub-program involves bringing people, ideas, communities and resources together. This is accomplished through engaging other levels of government, other federal departments, industry (in particular, industry associations), academia, and the not-for-profit sector in order to develop and diversify the western Canadian economy. This can involve the development of policies and programs with other orders of government or partners to leverage resources and address economic challenges, or to take advantage of economic opportunities in a coordinated fashion.

Research and Analysis

This sub-program involves conducting research and disseminating the results to increase the understanding of western Canadian challenges, opportunities and priorities, which provides the intelligence necessary to undertake internal or external policy and program development. This can include externally generated research; or in-house research and analysis involving economic overviews, environmental scans, analysis of federal or other government documents and sectoral or issue analysis that support departmental policy, planning or program development. It includes external consultation on key economic issues or opportunities facing Western Canada with leaders from both the private and public sectors. Transfer payments in support of this sub-program are made under the authority of the Western Diversification Program.

Advocacy

This sub-program aims to advance Western Canada's interests in national policies, priorities and programs, facilitating an improved understanding and awareness by policy makers of regional issues and opportunities. This leads to action by the federal government, partners or stakeholders to achieve a more balanced, regionally-sensitive approach to western Canadian priorities, or a greater share of federal programming or procurement in Western Canada. It can also involve advocating on behalf of federal government priorities within Western Canada. Specific examples include providing input into Cabinet submissions, establishing and participating in western-based consultation fora, advocating in support of specific regional projects or issues, and engaging western Canadian stakeholders in the development and implementation of national priorities.

 

 

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