1. Name of Horizontal Initiative:
Western Economic Partnership Agreements

2.Name of Lead Department: Western Economic Diversification Canada

3. Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative : August 2003

4. End Date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 2010

5. Total Federal Funding Allocation: $100 million

6. Description of the Horizontal Initiative: The Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs) are joint federal/provincial initiatives aimed at fostering increased economic activity and quality of life in communities across Western Canada. New WEPAs were signed with each of the four western provinces in late 2003. They build on a previous set of agreements, which allocated a total of $160 million over five years towards federal-provincial economic priorities. Cost shared on a 50:50 basis, the new WEPAs will invest a total of $200 million in the Western Canada economy over the next four years.  More information is available on the WD internet site. >> view Western Economic Partnership Agreements. 

7. Shared Outcome(s): To encourage economic development in Western Canada and provide for greater federal-provincial co-operation and co-ordination of economic development activities. As well, to increase Aboriginal participation in the economy. In addition several province specific priorities are being pursued.

8. Governance Structure(s): The key roles and responsibilities of partners are as follows:

• Minister of Western Economic Diversification – overall program management and accountability to Parliament, including media relations, appointment of federal Management Committee members, project approvals where the federal share is between $1M - $10M;
• Western Economic Diversification Canada – oversight and monitoring of the program ensuring effective management and a coordinated approach to communications and provision of services including operational services, information management, and communications services;
• Provincial Departments – program management and accountability to Legislatures, appointment of provincial Management Committee Members, project approvals, administration and delivery of provincially allocated funds and provincially delivered projects.

9. Federal Partners Involved in each Program

10. Names of Programs

11. Total Allocation

12. Planned Spending for 2005-06

13. Planned Results for 2005-06

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Western Economic Partnership Agreements

$100M

$22.75M

Development of evaluation framework

Management of projects 

14. Results to be Achieved by Non-federal Partners: Varied. Dependent upon provincial/federal priorities.

15. Contact Information:

Jim Monzer
Senior Policy Advisor, Headquarters Western Economic Diversification
(780) 495 6881

Suite 1500 Canada Place, 9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton Alberta, T5J 4H7

16. Approved by:

Nadean Langlois
Director Programs, Headquarters Western Economic Diversification
(780) 495 4973

Suite 1500 Canada Place, 9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton Alberta, T5J 4H7

17. Date Approved:

March 18, 2005