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Success stories

It's the individuals and businesses that continue to make a difference in the lives and communities in Western Canada. Here are their success stories.

Western Canadian success stories and how WD helped

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Publication date Region Category Stories
2021-10-25 Saskatchewan Value-added agriculture
Three Farmers Foods

Community Futures helps Three Farmers grow into new markets

With the support of Community Futures, Three Farmers Foods was able to increase its production capacity to sell its snack foods into new markets.

Publication date: 2021-10-25
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Value-added agriculture

2021-07-26 Manitoba Indigenous, Women

Fashion that creates spaces for everyone, no matter what size you wear

WD supported Anne Mulaire Designs to develop online and direct marketing strategies, boost production capacity and patent its cutting-edge production process.

Publication date: 2021-07-26
Region: Manitoba
Category: Indigenous, Women

2021-07-14 Manitoba Digital technology, Women
Sumegha Gupta, President and CEO of NSD Tech Inc., outlines critical role of women as natural multi-taskers.

Sumegha Gupta shows how women can succeed as technology entrepreneurs

WD supported NSD Tech Inc. through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, to upgrade and market CARMIS—client management software for non-profit agencies serving refugees and immigrants.

Publication date: 2021-07-14
Region: Manitoba
Category: Digital technology, Women

2021-07-06 Alberta Life sciences, Digital technology
Two men view a digital scan of a heart on a monitor between them.

Heart scans reach a new level with Circle Cardiovascular

Blending artificial intelligence into cardiovascular imaging software is new to the market. It will also help doctors work more efficiently and help more patients.

Publication date: 2021-07-06
Region: Alberta
Category: Life sciences, Digital technology

2021-06-18 Alberta Digital technology
Winged drone is launched at the Foremost UAS Test Range.

The Foremost UAS Test Range brings innovative drone technologies to Southern Alberta

The Foremost Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Range offers 700 square nautical miles of restricted airspace in rural Alberta, perfect for developing drone technology and fueling Western Canada’s growing role in the UAS sector.

Publication date: 2021-06-18
Region: Alberta
Category: Digital technology

2021-06-11 Alberta Digital technology
Development and commercialization of AltaML AI/ML software platforms to solve business problems

AltaML uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help businesses solve problems

AltaML uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help Alberta businesses unlock the competitive advantage in their data.

Publication date: 2021-06-11
Region: Alberta
Category: Digital technology

2021-06-02 Alberta Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology
Bench-top magnetic resonance spectrometer

Calgary’s Nanalysis is successfully disrupting scientific measurement for chemists worldwide

From pharmaceuticals to agriculture: How Nanalysis is transforming scientific measurement for researchers worldwide.

Publication date: 2021-06-02
Region: Alberta
Category: Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology

2021-05-17 Alberta Advanced manufacturing
Lab technician at work

From salon and spa to manufacturing leader

From salon and spa to manufacturing leader, EC Labs is leading the charge to establish a personal care manufacturing hub in Alberta, while setting its sights on the global market.

Publication date: 2021-05-17
Region: Alberta
Category: Advanced manufacturing

2021-05-12 Manitoba Life sciences
Trevor Gascoyne, Director of Operations, Orthopaedic Innovation Centre in Winnipeg

Testing medical products like N-95 respirator masks to fight COVID-19

Martin Petrak, President and CEO, and Trevor Gascoyne, Director of Operations, share how the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre in Winnipeg has become an internationally accredited laboratory to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Publication date: 2021-05-12
Region: Manitoba
Category: Life sciences

2021-04-13 Alberta Community economic development

Keeping the wheels turning by putting service first

For many Albertans, inter-city bus transportation and parcel delivery connects them safely to family, neighbours and medical services that are not available in their own community. COVID-19 public health measures are impacting this essential service.

Publication date: 2021-04-13
Region: Alberta
Category: Community economic development

2020-11-19 Alberta Women, Indigenous
Colouring books

Colouring It Forward advances reconciliation through Indigenous art

Colouring It Forward embraces art to advance education on Indigenous issues and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Publication date: 2020-11-19
Region: Alberta
Category: Women, Indigenous

2020-11-17 British Columbia Clean technology, Indigenous, Natural resources
Signage outside of FPInnovations building

FPInnovations: Powering Up BC Communities with Sustainable Energy Systems

BC-based not-for-profit organization, FPInnovations, partnered with the Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation’s to develop a new biomass energy system to power community buildings, create jobs, stimulate the economy, and reduce reliance on diesel.

Publication date: 2020-11-17
Region: British Columbia
Category: Clean technology, Indigenous, Natural resources

2020-10-23 British Columbia Women, entrepreneurship

Women-owned business creates diverse, sustainable feminine hygiene products

Aisle is creating diverse and sustainable menstrual products for women across Canada.

Publication date: 2020-10-23
Region: British Columbia
Category: Women, entrepreneurship

2020-10-21 British Columbia Business growth, women

Entrepreneurs supported through the Women’s Enterprise Initiative, gluten-free bakery prospers

Origin Bakery co-owners Tara Black and Marion Scott have found their niche selling gluten-free goods in Victoria, British Columbia. With support from the Women’s Enterprise Center, Tara and Marion run a thriving business with a sweet future.

Publication date: 2020-10-21
Region: British Columbia
Category: Business growth, women

2020-10-19 British Columbia Women, business growth, entrepreneurship

“The Werk” is an entrepreneur’s dream to transform how we work

Christina Disler started Werklab with a vision to transform our relationship to work. Now she is helping entrepreneurs and small business-owners achieve work-life balance through “The Werk”, an online health and wellness editorial platform for business owners.

Publication date: 2020-10-19
Region: British Columbia
Category: Women, business growth, entrepreneurship

2020-10-16 British Columbia Business growth, economic diversification, clean technology, clean resources

B.C.-based cleantech innovators envision a cleaner, greener future

Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC), Acuva Technologies, Quadrogen Power Systems, and BumperNow are four BC-based cleantech companies transforming the cleantech ecosystem

Publication date: 2020-10-16
Region: British Columbia
Category: Business growth, economic diversification, clean technology, clean resources

2020-10-07 Alberta Advanced Manufacturing, Business Growth, Digital Technology, Economic Diversification

Calgary-based Attabotics is reinventing the supply chain

Attabotics is taking inspiration from nature and disrupting traditional logistics, storage and fulfillment. This Calgary-based innovation combines robotics with efficient ant colony design to reduce warehouse footprints by 85%.

Publication date: 2020-10-07
Region: Alberta
Category: Advanced Manufacturing, Business Growth, Digital Technology, Economic Diversification

2020-09-21 Alberta Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology, Life sciences
Kent Imaging develops imaging technology for the medical world using technology called spectroscopy.

Kent Imaging provides healthcare professionals with visual insight

Kent Imaging is expanding its services with the introduction of near infrared spectroscopy-imaging technology, which allows healthcare professionals to monitor tissue viability at a wound or surgical site in a timely and non-intrusive manner.

Publication date: 2020-09-21
Region: Alberta
Category: Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology, Life sciences

2020-09-10 Saskatchewan Francophone, Skills and training
Nurses at the University of Regina

University of Regina program trains Francophone nurses

A unique partnership between the University of Regina’s La Cité French language hub and faculty of nursing is preparing nurses to care for Saskatchewan patients in French as well as in English.

Publication date: 2020-09-10
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Francophone, Skills and training

2020-08-19 British Columbia Francophone, Tourism, Women
Trying on hats

Local luxury hat shop attracts cultural tourists to Nelson, B.C.

With the support of the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) and the Économusée network, Lillie and Cohoe is establishing its luxury hat shop as a cultural tourism destination in the heart of Nelson, B.C.

Publication date: 2020-08-19
Region: British Columbia
Category: Francophone, Tourism, Women

2020-08-13 Manitoba Women

How an entrepreneur with disabilities grew her Dog Nerd business in Manitoba

Lisa Hazelwood seized the opportunity to overcome barriers. She got the support she needed from Equal Opportunities West’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Lisa’s business, Dog Nerd, is a dog sport and training centre that uses positive training methods in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Publication date: 2020-08-13
Region: Manitoba
Category: Women

2020-08-07 Alberta Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology
Cyclist

Cochrane, Alberta’s, 4iiii blazes trail in global sports technology industry.

With its light and robust power meter, Cochrane’s 4iiii is poised to take over the global fitness monitoring market.

Publication date: 2020-08-07
Region: Alberta
Category: Advanced manufacturing, Digital technology

2020-07-08 Alberta Value-added agriculture, Women, Clean technology
Rindi Bristol, Senior Director of Whole Leaf

Alberta-grown jobs, industry-wide innovation. Whole Leaf transforms the produce sector.

Whole Leaf is transforming the leafy green section of the produce department. Using less water, its pesticide- and chemical-free produce brings new ideas to Canadian tables.

Publication date: 2020-07-08
Region: Alberta
Category: Value-added agriculture, Women, Clean technology

2020-07-17 Saskatchewan Francophone, Tourism
Over The Hill Orchards and Winery owner Dean Kreutzer

Over the Hill Orchards, Saskatchewan's first Économusée ®

Over the Hill Orchard and Winery is attracting attention as Saskatchewan’s first Économusée ®. Over the Hill makes wines and jams on site using fruit grown in their orchard, providing a unique artisanal experience to French and English-speaking visitors.

Publication date: 2020-07-17
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Francophone, Tourism

2020-03-11 Alberta Women, Business growth
Michelle Hordal of Adaptabilities

AdaptAbilities - enhancing quality of life & fostering inclusion

AdaptAbilities is an inclusive environment where people with special needs can develop essential life skills.

Publication date: 2020-03-11
Region: Alberta
Category: Women, Business growth

2020-03-05 Manitoba Business growth, Francophone, Women
Julie’s Creations designs cabinetry, kitchens and bathrooms

Bilingual business Julie’s Creations designs cabinetry, kitchens and bathrooms in Manitoba

Julie Germain moved from Quebec to Manitoba to learn English. Now, she designs beautiful rooms for Manitoban homes in both English and French at Julie’s Creations.

Publication date: 2020-03-05
Region: Manitoba
Category: Business growth, Francophone, Women

2020-03-04 Manitoba Business growth, Francophone
CDEMM funding recipients

Support for Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities and entrepreneurs

Bilingual entrepreneurs and municipalities in Manitoba have a lifeline. Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) is there to help them grow.

Publication date: 2020-03-04
Region: Manitoba
Category: Business growth, Francophone

2020-02-17 Saskatchewan, Pan-Western Trade, Advanced manufacturing
Agritechnica

WD helps Canadian farm machinery manufacturers market in Europe

The Canadian-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has opened up new doors for Western Canadian agricultural equipment makers that are large enough to drive a combine through.

Publication date: 2020-02-17
Region: Saskatchewan, Pan-Western
Category: Trade, Advanced manufacturing

2020-02-03 British Columbia Advanced Manufacturing
4D Labs at Simon Fraser University

Investing in advanced manufacturing centre at SFU in Burnaby, British Columbia

These days, it seems like the online universe is expanding from computers to everyday items. With a smartphone, we can unlock doors and adjust thermostats.

Publication date: 2020-02-03
Region: British Columbia
Category: Advanced Manufacturing

2020-01-24 Manitoba Francophone, Women
Educalme brings bilingual mindfulness to Manitoba schools

Educalme brings bilingual mindfulness to Manitoba schools

Two young teachers in Manitoba wanted to share mindfulness practices with their French-language students, but they could not find bilingual materials geared to young people. So, they created their own, and Educalme was born.

Publication date: 2020-01-24
Region: Manitoba
Category: Francophone, Women

2019-12-17 Saskatchewan Indigenous, Clean technology
Cowessess Renewable Energy Storage Facility

First Nation creates carbon-free electricity and new economic opportunity

With help from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), Cowessess First Nation's unique hybrid renewable energy project is a first in Canada.

Publication date: 2019-12-17
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Indigenous, Clean technology

2019-06-28 Pan-Western Francophone
Two participants in the Official Languages Twinning Program

Official Languages: Who’s your “twin”?

At Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) we’re bolstering our bilingual bench strength in both official languages.

Publication date: 2019-06-28
Region: Pan-Western
Category: Francophone

2019-02-05 Manitoba Francophone, Community economic development, Tourism
Advertisement for documentary t the heart of Manitoba's Francophone Community

Entreprises Riel

At the Heart of Manitoba's Francophone Community is a documentary film produced by Tourisme Riel and Entreprises Riel, about the strong Francophone and Métis culture in the province.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: Manitoba
Category: Francophone, Community economic development, Tourism

2018-09-04 Manitoba Indigenous, Business growth, Skills and training
Participants at Vision Quest

Vision Quest

In 2018, Vision Quest marked its 22nd annual conference and trade show: "From Vision to Reality", through partnerships with 5 primarily Indigenous-based Community Futures Development Corporations.

Publication date: 2018-09-04
Region: Manitoba
Category: Indigenous, Business growth, Skills and training

2018-08-04 Manitoba Women, Business growth, Skills and training
SHEday 2018

SHEday 2018

The one-day, annual conference sprouted from a desire to provide services to female business professionals and a venue for them to network.

Publication date: 2018-08-04
Region: Manitoba
Category: Women, Business growth, Skills and training

2018-08-04 British Columbia Youth, Community economic development
Karina LeBlanc's Field of Dreams

Karina LeBlanc's Field of Dreams

Canadian Olympic soccer star Karina Leblanc now has a sports field in Maple Ridge, BC, where she can share her passion for sports with the next generation of Canadian athletes.

Publication date: 2018-08-04
Region: British Columbia
Category: Youth, Community economic development

2018-08-04 British Columbia Clean technology
Food in plastic packaging

Reduce, reuse… rethink recycling

If only there were durable packaging materials that were also biodegradable. A western Canadian company may have the solution.

Publication date: 2018-08-04
Region: British Columbia
Category: Clean technology

2018-08-04 Alberta Women, Skills and training
Cora-Lee Fedoruk, with Women Building Futures

Women Building Futures - You got this!

The pursuit of inclusive participation in the economy requires a change in perspectives and a change in traditional ways of thinking. This belief prompted a small group of women to set up Women Building Futures (WBF) in 1998.

Publication date: 2018-08-04
Region: Alberta
Category: Women, Skills and training

2019-02-05 British Columbia Clean technology, Digital technology
Cherry orchard

Semios precision technology helps growers respond to crop threats

Farmers and engineers are working together to keep fresh produce on our shelves. They are finding innovative solutions to challenges from climate change, harmful pesticides, and crop disease.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: British Columbia
Category: Clean technology, Digital technology

2019-02-05 Alberta Clean technology, Natural resources
Solving high pressure risk through intelligent innovation

Solving high pressure risk through intelligent innovation

The aptly named, Intelligent Wellhead Systems (IWS) knows a lot about working under pressure in the energy sector.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: Alberta
Category: Clean technology, Natural resources

2018-09-04 Saskatchewan Skills and training, Youth
Saskatoon youth learning new skills

Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre – creating inclusive and responsive opportunities

Vulnerable, inner city youth lack the training, experience and, in a lot of cases, confidence to secure good jobs that can lead to careers in the skilled trades. At the same time, employers in many industries find it difficult to hire young tradespeople.

Publication date: 2018-09-04
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Skills and training, Youth

2018-09-04 Saskatchewan Digital technology
Solido employee at work

Solido Design Automation bought by German conglomerate

Saskatchewan based Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative recipient, Solido Design Automation Inc, is a world leader in microchip design and characterization software powered by proprietary machine learning technology – a form of artificial intelligence.

Publication date: 2018-09-04
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Digital technology

2019-02-05 British Columbia Digital technology, Trade
Submarine interior

Canadian Navigation Technology makes waves on a global level

Over 600 naval vessels across the globe rely on tactical navigation software from British Columbia's OSI Maritime Inc.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: British Columbia
Category: Digital technology, Trade

2019-03-06 Alberta Francophone
Edmonton's Francophone Radio Cité 97,9

Radio Cité brings Edmonton's Francophone community together

Radio Cité brought the heart and the people. WD helped them with funding. Now Radio Cité is making beautiful music and so much more for Edmonton's francophone community.

Publication date: 2019-03-06
Region: Alberta
Category: Francophone

2019-02-05 British Columbia Community economic development
BC wildfires

Rebuilding after British Columbia wildfires

The 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons were the worst in British Columbia's history. British Columbians regrouped and WD was there to help.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: British Columbia
Category: Community economic development

2019-02-05 Manitoba Community economic development
Woman holding head of lettuce grown in Churchill, Manitoba

Churchill Region Economic Development Fund

The Churchill Region Economic Development Fund helped businesses survive when the town was cut off from ground transportation.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: Manitoba
Category: Community economic development

2019-05-22 Saskatchewan Clean technology, Francophone
HumaTerra's operations

Francophone farmers growing green with HumaTerra

What do francophone farmers in Saskatchewan, an agricultural scientist from France and about a trillion microbial organisms have in common? The drive to make prairie soil more fertile and productive!

Publication date: 2019-05-22
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Clean technology, Francophone

2019-02-05 Alberta Indigenous, Skills and training
Trade Winds for Success - Alexander Hunter

Investing in Indigenous Peoples in Alberta

In 2015, Trade Winds to Success Training Society received $1,069,938 from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) to support the expansion of pre-apprenticeship training for Indigenous Peoples in Alberta.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: Alberta
Category: Indigenous, Skills and training

2019-12-09 Manitoba Francophone, Clean technology, Trade
Raynald Pambrun of Raysolar

Raysolar brings renewable energy to Africa

Manitoba’s Raysolar sets up solar and wind energy systems. Technical expertise combined with being able to work in both of Canada’s official languages has opened up doors to expand into Francophone African countries.

Publication date: 2019-12-09
Region: Manitoba
Category: Francophone, Clean technology, Trade

2019-02-05 Saskatchewan Clean resources, Natural resources
The Mine Overlay Site Testing (MOST) facility in Saskatoon.

Getting the MOST out of mine reclamation

Returning a mine site to its original state is far more complex than covering it over and planting trees. The design and materials that go into the cover system must ensure that mine wastes are properly sealed off.

Publication date: 2019-02-05
Region: Saskatchewan
Category: Clean resources, Natural resources

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