ARCHIVED - Western Economic Diversification Canada

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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

2.1 Strategic Outcome
The western Canadian economy is competitive, expanded and diversified – Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The following section describes Western Economic Diversification Canada program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. WD plans for meeting the expected results and financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each program activity are also included.

This section will contain a discussion of plans surrounding the following program activities:

• Business Development and Entrepreneurship
• Innovation

2.1.1 Program Activity: Business Development and Entrepreneurship

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
67	48,849	65	38,989	65	38,478

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Strong SMEs in Western Canada with improved capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace.	SME revenue (All SME sizes) (Excluding Non-employees), ($ millions)	$428,596 (Stable growth rate)
	SME employment, (All SME sizes) (Excluding Non-employees)	2,508,300 (Stable)
	Annual capital amount accessed by SMEs through WD programs	$78,825,105

Program Activity Summary:  WD works with western Canadian businesses, industry and research organizations to undertake initiatives to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, support trade and investment attraction and penetration of western Canadian technologies, services and value-added products into international markets.  Through this program activity, value-added production will be strengthened through support for initiatives in priority sectors to introduce new products, technologies, or innovations to existing production and processes.  This program activity will also improve access to risk capital and business services for entrepreneurs and small business through programs and services offered in conjunction with other business services organizations and associations.

WD will implement this program activity through the following sub-activities:

• Improved business productivity;
• Market/trade development;
• Industry collaboration;
• Foreign direct investment; and
• Access to capital.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:

• To encourage and enable industry led solutions to productivity challenges, WD will focus on sectors/clusters that are ‘ready’ to implement productivity enhancements;
• Ensure that export readiness/advisory information services continue to be provided to SMEs; support international business development projects targeting the US and Mexico, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions; and undertake targeted research and analysis to better understand trade and investment policy issues impacting Western Canada; and,
• Continue to increase the availability of risk capital and work with the members of the WCBSN to address the needs of SMEs.

Benefits for Canadians: 

Productivity growth is considered to be a key component of long-term economic growth and increasing the long-term material standard of living of Canadians.

WD’s investments will result in increased export opportunities for SMEs and enhance their capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace.  Improving business productivity and expanding markets will lead to new jobs in the West.

2.1.2 Program Activity: Innovation

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
56	77,264	54	55,036	54	49,070

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A stronger knowledge-based economy.	Total Income from the Commercialization of Intellectual Property ($ millions)	$40.40
	Business Expenditure on R&D as % of GDP	.60%
	Employment in Natural and Applied Science and Related Occupations as a % of Total Employment.	6.60%

Program Activity Summary: Innovation facilitates the West's transition to a knowledge-based economy.  Through innovation, knowledge is translated into new products and services and to new ways of designing, producing or marketing existing products or services for public and private markets.  This program activity recognizes that innovation occurs at the firm level, through a highly complex interdependent system that includes elements such as knowledge infrastructure, basic and applied research and development, highly qualified people (HQP), access to adequate patient financing, technology commercialization facilities and support systems and mechanisms to link these elements to each other.  The process of innovation is not linear or isolated but occurs within a broader context known as an "innovation system".  This program activity will strengthen the western innovation system in order to facilitate the development of clusters and to enhance the potential of innovation to create value and wealth.

WD will implement this program activity through the following sub-activities:

• Technology adoption & commercialization;
• Technology linkages;
• Technology research & development;
• Community innovation;
• Technology skills development; and
• Knowledge infrastructure.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:

• WD recognizes that to enhance technology commercialization, efforts need to be made to engage the organizations that introduce new products to markets.  Research on priority technology sectors indicates that there are niche opportunities to increase commercialization. To pursue this priority, WD will undertake further sector research and analysis to pinpoint gaps and opportunities and will explore new approaches such as pilot demonstrations, first user or internship programs to engage new and existing clients; and,
• In building the knowledge-based economy, WD will support projects which build foundational elements such as knowledge infrastructure, which contributes to physical assets for research and skill building; research and development, which leads to technologies with commercial potential; skills development, which leads to highly qualified personnel; and effective linkages, which contributes to increased connections and synergies among innovation system members. 

Benefits for Canadians: 

WD’s investments in innovation projects will contribute to a diversified western economy and a knowledge-based economy.  This will result in new products, greater access to capital in new economy sectors, and increased employment opportunities.

 

2.2 Strategic Outcome
Communities in Western Canada are economically viable – Community Economic Development

The following section describes Western Economic Diversification Canada program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. WD plans for meeting the expected results and financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each program activity are also described.

Details on the following program activities are provided:

• Community Economic Planning, Development & Adjustment
• Infrastructure

2.2.1 Program Activity: Community Economic Planning, Development, & Adjustment

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
68	81,280	66	37,389	66	36,946

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Communities have increased economic opportunities and capacity to respond to challenges.	Employment:  # of new jobs created  (000's)	84 (Grow at a slower rate)
	Net migration rate - international and domestic	81,879 (Grow at a slower rate)

Program Activity Summary: This program activity involves economic development and diversification initiatives that support communities to sustain their economies and adjust to changing and challenging economic circumstances.  It includes facilitating economic recovery from depressed economic circumstances.  It ensures that economic, social and environmental considerations are taken into account in initiatives designed to foster community growth and economic development.  It involves projects that assist communities to assess community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential for new economic activity and to develop and implement community plans.  The process involves community-based consultations/facilitation and strives to integrate federal programs, services and horizontal initiatives directed towards western Canadian communities.

WD will implement this program activity by supporting initiatives in:

• Community planning;
• Community development; and
• Community economic adjustment.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:

• Delivery of the western component of the two-year, $1-billion Community Adjustment Fund announced in Budget 2009.  This national initiative will support initiatives activities such as community transition plans that foster economic development, science and technology initiatives, and other measures to promote economic diversification;
• Promote rural diversification through support of projects that help communities to undertake value-added processing and encourage new opportunities for skilled employment;
• Support projects that enhance Aboriginal participation in the economy; and,
• On behalf of the federal government, deliver, monitor and evaluate the Community Economic Diversification Initiative and Airport Improvements Initiative components of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle response in BC.

Benefits for Canadians: 

This program activity contributes to the development of strong and economically vibrant communities that in turn, contribute to strong, economic growth for Canada.  Through WD’s investments, communities have increased economic opportunity and capacity to respond to challenges.  WD works with community leaders and other orders of government to integrate federal programming and horizontal initiatives to maximize leverage.

2.2.2 Program Activity: Infrastructure

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
13	7,566	10	1,040	7	574

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
To maximize economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits to western Canadians through investments in public infrastructure in a coordinated manner with provincial and municipal governments.	Percentage of key Informants with the opinion that WD delivery of Infrastructure programs resulted in investments that reflect western Canadian infrastructure priorities	50%
	$ value of federal infrastructure projects funded per fiscal year	$5,900,000
	$’s leveraged in addition to federal $’s for projects funded per fiscal year	$11,800,000

Program Activity Summary: WD provides public infrastructure funding in Western Canada to meet the Government of Canada's commitment to growth and the quality of life of all Canadians.  This program activity will renew and build infrastructure in rural and urban municipalities across Canada allowing them to compete in the regional, national and global economy.  WD delivers infrastructure programming in partnership with Infrastructure Canada and the four western provincial governments.
WD will implement this program through in the following sub-activities:

• Green municipal infrastructure;
• Local transportation infrastructure; and
• Cultural, recreational, tourism, telecommunications, and affordable housing infrastructure.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:

• Delivery of the western component of the Recreational Infrastructure Canada initiative announced in Budget 2009.  This national initiative will provide $500 million over two years to support construction of new community recreational facilities and upgrades to existing facilities;
• Continued administration of the Infrastructure Canada Program until the program’s sunset by March 31, 2011;
• Continued delivery of Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund;
• Administration of Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund projects;
• Delivery of the Building Canada Fund Communities Component and non-transportation related Major Infrastructure Component projects; and,
• Continued collaboration with Infrastructure Canada and the other Regional Development Agencies to improve the delivery of national infrastructure programs.

Benefits for Canadians: 

Investment into Canada’s infrastructure system will result in a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.

2.3 Strategic Outcome
Policies and Programs that strengthen the western Canadian economy – Policy, Advocacy & Coordination

The following section describes Western Economic Diversification Canada program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. WD plans for meeting the expected results and financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each program activity are also described.

Details on the following program activities are provided:

• Collaboration & Coordination
• Advocacy
• Research & Analysis

 

 

2.3.1 Program Activity: Collaboration and Coordination

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
21	2,888	20	2,789	20	2,783

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Better coordinated economic development activities, policies and programs in the West.	Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD activities provide better coordinated economic activities, policies and programs in the West	55%
	$’s of project funding ($’s WD project funding plus $’s leveraged)	$350,040,000
	% of projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets	85%

Program Activity Summary:  Collaboration and coordination 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, or the not-for-profit sector in order to plan or precipitate actions that result in a greater degree of development and/or diversification of the western economy.  This can involve the process of developing policies and programs with other governments or partners to leverage resources and address economic challenges or taking advantage of economic opportunities in a coordinated fashion.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following:

• Work in partnership with the four western provinces to implement the Western Economic Partnership Agreements and other joint federal-provincial arrangements;
• Further the efforts of the working group of Western Deputy Minister’s with responsibility for economic development and innovation; and, 
• Participate in western-based consultation forums such as the Federal Councils located in each western province, regional trade teams, and Senior Western Innovation Officials.

Benefits for Canadians: 

Through this program activity, WD engages with other people and organizations to bring communities, ideas and resources together. WD links the views of western Canadians with national policies, priorities and programs to ensure effective and efficient approaches are taken to strengthen the western Canadian economy. The Department’s leadership and coordinating role helps to identify economic challenges and opportunities for the West. These activities also support the development of an appropriate federal response either through the investment of departmental resources or by collaborating with other appropriate federal departments and agencies.

2.3.2 Program Activity: Advocacy

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
31	3,246	30	3,211	30	3,213

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Better coordinated economic development activities, policies and programs in the West.	Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD activities provide better coordinated economic activities, policies and programs in the West	55%
	$’s of project funding ($’s WD project funding plus $’s leveraged)	$350,040,000
	% of projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets	85%

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

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to work collaboratively with other federal departments and agencies, provincial governments and industry stakeholders (as appropriate) to:

• Advance the business case for developing transportation, distribution and logistics centres in the West;
• Encourage an increase in Western Canada’s value-added content in global supply chains through the federal Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridors Initiative and the Mid-Continent Trade Corridor;
• Promote the West’s aerospace, defence, security, shipbuilding and high-technology industries to key federal stakeholders and international prime contractors looking to identify suppliers for the federal government's defence procurement; and,
• Champion Western Canada’s contributions to the federal science and technology (S&T) strategy, including the potential of western Canadian innovation to bolster national competitiveness and productivity.

Benefits for Canadians: 

Through this program activity, WD ensures that key federal policy makers are aware of western issues and that western Canadians are able to access and participate in federal programs. As a result, the West is more likely to benefit from federal and joint federal-provincial policies and programs that are relevant to the region’s economic opportunites and challenges. Similarly, western Canadians are more likely to participate in federal and joint federal-provincial economic programs, resulting in a stronger regional economy and economic benefits for all of Canada .

2.3.3 Program Activity: Research & Analysis

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
10	2,666	10	2,610	10	2,606

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Improved understanding of western Canadian economic issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities.	Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD research and analysis contributes to an improved understanding of western Canadian issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities	55%
	# of spokesperson and media references to WD economic research and analysis	20

Program Activity Summary: Research and Analysis involves preparing and disseminating information that results in an increased understanding of western Canadian challenges, opportunities and priorities and which provides the factual 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.  This program activity includes external consultation on key economic issues or opportunities facing Western Canada with leaders from both the private and public sectors.

Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:

• Enhance engagement with universities to support student led research in areas of shared priorities;
• Support research to develop policy options for Western Canada that helps position it for long-term success in the global economy;
• Develop strategies, policies and programs for long term growth and competitiveness; and,
• Deepen understanding of Canadian stakeholders of economic opportunities associated with the Asia-Pacific Gateway & Corridor and/or the Mid-Continent Trade Corridor.

Benefits for Canadians: 

This program activity ensures that the Department has the information and understanding needed to provide a balanced, regionally sensitive approach that addresses western Canadian priorities, maximizes the Department’s effectiveness, and supports the development and implementation of WD strategic directions and priorities. In this way WD will strengthen the western Canadian economy and the competitiveness of Canada as a whole.

 

2.4 Strategic Outcome
The following program activity supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

2.4.1 Program Activity: Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
135	18,762	131	17,773	131	17,705

Program Activity Summary & Planning Highlights :

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization.  These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services.  Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

 

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