ARCHIVED - Western Economic Diversification Canada - Report

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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome: The western Canadian economy is developed and diversified

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) works to develop and diversify the economy, contributing to productivity and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the West, helping to build companies that are innovative and competitive in the global marketplace and reducing the region's dependence on primary industries.

WD's strategic outcome is advanced through the following program activities:[25]

• Business Development: Strong small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Western Canada with improved capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace;
• Innovation: A strong knowledge-based economy;
• Community Economic Development: Communities have increased economic opportunities and capacity to respond to challenges and investments in public infrastructure;
• Policy, Advocacy and Coordination: Policies and programs that strengthen the western Canadian economy;
• Internal Services: Effective and efficient support for advancing the organization's strategic outcome.

Program Activity: Business Development

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
82	52,536	82	52,536	82	53,024

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Strong SMEs in Western Canada with improved capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace	SME revenue (excluding non-employee)	$322 million
	SME employment (excluding non-employee)	2.5 million
	Annual international trade: value of exports excluding primary production sectors	$38.5 billion[26]

Program Activity Summary

WD works with industry, non-profit and research organizations to enhance business productivity, assist SMEs in developing new and innovative products and services for the global marketplace, increase the penetration of western Canadian technologies, services and value-added products into international markets, attract foreign direct investment and improve access to capital. Through this program activity, WD also collaborates with other stakeholders such as provincial governments and non-profit organizations to provide business programs and services to entrepreneurs and SMEs.

This program activity includes business productivity and competitiveness as well as trade and investment, departmental priority areas that are described in Section I.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following business development activities in 2011-12:

• supporting initiatives directed at SMEs to improve business processes, accelerate product development, adopt best practices, create business networks and improve access to skilled labour;
• providing business information and services for SMEs in both rural and urban areas through the Western Canada Business Service Network;[27]
• assisting western Canadian companies to access federal procurement and industrial regional benefits opportunities;
• strengthening SME engagement in international markets;
• supporting the development and marketing of key trade assets in Western Canada such as gateways and corridors;
• building awareness of Western Canada as a competitive investment destination.

Benefits for Canadians

WD's business development activities will result in SMEs that are strong, productive and competitive, the creation and expansion of firms, job creation as well as an increase in export opportunities for SMEs and foreign investment in Western Canada. These activities will contribute to long-term economic growth and prosperity for Canadians.

Program Activity: Innovation

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
62	69,169	62	69,169	62	64,406

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A stronger knowledge-based economy	Total income from the commercialization of intellectual property	$20.4 million[28]
	Business Expenditures on Research and Development (BERD) as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)	0.55%
	Employment in natural and applied science and related occupations as a percentage of total employment	6.5%

Program Activity Summary

Innovation is a key driver of economic growth and development. WD works with universities, research institutes, other federal departments, provincial governments as well as industry associations and consortia to strengthen the western Canadian innovation system by building technology linkages and by supporting technology adoption and commercialization, R&D, community innovation, technology skills development and knowledge infrastructure.

Technology commercialization is a key component of this program area and is one of WD's operational priorities described in Section I.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following innovation activities in 2011-12:

Benefits for Canadians

WD investments in innovation will result in increased R&D performed in Western Canada, new infrastructure to support innovation and technology commercialization, an increase in the number of technologies and products commercialized in the West, an increase in skilled personnel engaged in R&D and new private sector investment in R&D and technology commercialization. Strengthening Western Canada's capacity to attract new investment and undertake R&D that leads to technology commercialization and innovation is important to competitiveness and prosperity and provides the foundation of a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

Program Activity: Community Economic Development

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
72	40,042[29]	69	27,105	68	23,105

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Communities have increased economic opportunities and capacity to respond to challenges, as well as the necessary investments in public infrastructure	Employment: number of new jobs created	39,000
	Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD delivery of infrastructure programs resulted in investments that reflect western Canadian infrastructure priorities	50%

Program Activity Summary

WD undertakes community economic development initiatives that help urban and rural communities sustain or develop their economies and adjust to changing and challenging economic circumstances. This includes implementing federal economic adjustment programs and investing in public infrastructure.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following community economic development activities in 2011-12:

• completing the delivery of the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) and the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, both part of Canada's Economic Action Plan (EAP), with a focus on ensuring the completion of projects and the quick and efficient processing of financial claims from clients (for more information, refer to section 2.1.6.);
• supporting community economic development services and activities;
• investing in initiatives that enhance Aboriginal participation in the economy;
• delivering national infrastructure programs[30] across the West on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity results in new business activity and job creation, increased viability and diversification of local economies and new investments in public infrastructure in communities. The development of strong and economically vibrant communities will better enable them to take advantage of new economic opportunities and respond to economic challenges.

Program Activity: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
60	9,049	60	9,049	60	9,012

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Policies and programs that strengthen the western Canadian economy	Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD activities provide policies and programs that support the economic development of Western Canada	(Not applicable[31])
	Percentage of WD projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets	85%

Program Activity Summary

WD supports policy research and consultation to better understand issues facing the West, develops and implements strategies to ensure the consideration of western economic policy issues and priorities in the development of federal policies and programs as well as engages in activities that enhance collaboration and coordination of key stakeholders.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following policy, advocacy and coordination activities in 2011-12:

• representing western interests in the development of national policies and strategies;
• promoting the capabilities of western Canadian companies to national and international contractors with Industrial Regional Benefits obligations or other federal procurement opportunities;
• collaborating with key stakeholders and other federal organizations;
• supporting research that assists in the development of relevant policy options for Western Canada.

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity contributes to national policies and programs that strengthen the western Canadian economy, better-coordinated economic development activities across the West and improved understanding of western Canadian economic issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities. This creates a stronger western Canadian economy and economic benefits for all of Canada.

Program Activity: Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
131	24,734	131	24,711	131	24,711

Program Activity Summary

Internal Services support WD's programs and other corporate responsibilities. This includes management and oversight services, communications services, human resources management services, financial management services, information management services, material services and travel and other administrative services.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following internal services activities in 2011-12:

• continuing Public Service Renewal initiatives, with a focus on integrated business planning, strategic recruitment, employee development and workplace renewal;
• evaluating current performance indicators and Performance Measurement Framework to ensure that WD is able to demonstrate and communicate its impact on the western Canadian economy and support evidence-based decision making;
• improving and enhancing integration of project management and reporting systems to better respond to WD's needs;
• establishing information management policies and procedures as well as improving the electronic storage of records;
• 
  contributing to the Greening Government Operations targets by reusing or recycling surplus electronic and electrical equipment, reducing printers and paper consumption as well as developing a green meeting guide (for more information, refer to WD's Greening Government Operations table[32]);
• implementing its 2011–16 Investment Plan to comply with Treasury Board policy on Investment Planning and the Management of Projects.

Canada's Economic Action Plan Activities

Activity Summary

Budget 2009 provided resources to WD to deliver EAP programs in the West to provide timely, targeted and temporary economic stimulus for communities to mitigate the impacts of the economic downturn. The RInC program and the top-up funding delivered through the Building Canada Fund,[33] which originally ended March 31, 2011, have been extended to October 31, 2011, to allow for the successful conclusion of approved projects.

The RInC program is forecast to create or maintain approximately 3,000 jobs and almost 1,400 new and improved local infrastructure components over the life of the program. Of these, 652 jobs and 301 infrastructure components are expected to be created or maintained during the remaining seven months of the program in 2011-12. This represents $69 million in total infrastructure spending by all parties, including federal, provincial and municipal governments and non-governmental organizations. It is anticipated that WD will meet or exceed these targets.

Planning Highlights

WD plans to undertake the following EAP activities in 2011-12:

• ensuring the payment of committed funds to recipients for costs incurred by October 31, 2011;
• ensuring that approved projects are meeting timelines and that performance indicators are reported in a timely and accurate manner;
• working with clients to maximize the impact and results of investments and ensuring effective communication of these results to the public.

Benefits for Canadians

WD's investments in the RInC program will create new jobs and provide stimulus for communities across Canada, contributing to communities that are more viable and providing a legacy of long-term economic and recreational infrastructure.

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