This page has been archived.
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
The original version was signed by
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)
Minister’s Message
Minister of State’s Message
As Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification, I am pleased to present the department’s Report on Plans and Priorities for 2009–2010.
Since 1987, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has worked on behalf of western Canadians to ensure the long-term development and diversification of a dynamic regional economy. Western Canada’s rich and diverse natural heritage, coupled with a growing innovation and entrepreneurial culture, contributes to the region’s economic stability and prosperity.
As Canada navigates today’s global economic uncertainty, WD will continue to work to help address the challenges faced by western communities and businesses. Now more than ever, WD’s role supporting economic diversification and investing in innovation and economic development will help to effectively bridge the gap between economic downturn and recovery.
In the coming year, WD will continue to strengthen Western Canada’s economy by investing in projects, programs and partnerships that support entrepreneurship, strengthen and contribute toward a sound economic future for western Canadians.
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Western Canada’s abundance of natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and innovative leaders make the West a truly dynamic economic driver for Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) continues to build a sound western economy by growing new ideas, supporting new business, and creating new jobs.
Innovation drives economic growth – it is about the new ideas that bring economic benefits from research. WD will concentrate its investments in research and development while focusing on bringing new products, services, and technologies to market. WD investments in the research, technologies, and people that create value from ideas position the West as a leader in innovation. Through innovation, we strengthen the economy for the long-term.
WD has taken many steps to support our entrepreneurs and this support fuels new business. Entrepreneurs have access to 100 points of service across the West that provide business advice and services to help them succeed by improving skills, increasing access to capital, and expanding participation in key export markets.
WD also works closely with western communities to diversify their economies. By helping communities take advantage of economic opportunities and adjust to changing economic circumstances, we are maintaining and creating new jobs. Combined with our delivery of community infrastructure, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada through the Building Canada plan, we are strengthening the West for the long-term.
It is important that our programs and policies remain relevant and effective for the West. In order to achieve these goals, WD regularly consults with western Canadians to better understand regional needs and represents the West in national decision making.
As we move forward, we will continue to help build on regional strengths to diversify the western economy by investing in western communities, entrepreneurs and innovators. At WD, we know that a strong West will mean a stronger Canada.
The Honourable Lynne Yelich, P.C., M.P.
Western Economic Diversification Canada was established in 1987 to lessen the West’s (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) strong economic dependence on its natural resources. Under the Western Economic Diversification Act, 1988, the department is mandated to:
WD’s Deputy Minister (DM) is based in its Headquarters office in Edmonton, Alberta. Regional offices are located in each of the western provinces – Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg, with a liaison office in Ottawa and regional satellite offices in Calgary and Victoria.
WD’s programs to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and community economic development are supported by the Department’s leadership and coordination role in furthering western interests and responding to western challenges. The Department works strategically through partnerships – with all orders of government, academic and research institutes, industry associations, and not-for-profit organizations – to implement initiatives that leverage funds and expertise for the benefit of the West and westerners.
Through its core resources, WD:
In support of national initiatives on behalf of the federal government, WD also:
In order to effectively pursue its mandate, WD aims to achieve the following strategic outcomes:
During this reporting period, WD will focus on the following operational priorities in order to achieve progress towards its Strategic Outcomes and better results for Canadians:
In addition, the Department has chosen to focus attention on the following management priorities which commit WD to strive towards a level of excellence in the management of its allocated resources in pursuing its Strategic Outcomes:
Through these investments, along with WD’s leadership in advocating for and responding to western challenges, WD is building a stronger West in a stronger Canada.
The chart below illustrates WD’s complete framework of program activities and program sub-activities, which roll-up and contribute to progress toward WD’s Strategic Outcomes.
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 |
---|---|---|
242,521 | 158,837 | 151,375 |
The financial resources table above provides a summary of the total planned spending for WD for the next three fiscal years.
Explanations for reductions in planned spending for this period are covered under each of the Strategic Outcomes.
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 |
---|---|---|
401 | 386 | 383 |
The human resources table above provides a summary of the total planned human resources for WD for the next three fiscal years. The decrease in FTE count in future years reflects the sunsetting of the incremental funding provided in Budget 2005, and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Funding program.
Vote # or Statutory Item (S) | Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording | 2008-09 Main Estimates |
2009-10 Main Estimates |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Operating expenditures | 48,753 | 41,725 |
5 | Grants and contributions | 215,271 | 195,245 |
(S) | Contributions to employee benefit plans | 5,322 | 4,801 |
Total | 269,346 | 241,771 |
Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth | 3.2% (Stable growth rate) |
Annual International Trade: value of exports excluding primary production sectors, $ million |
$42,922 (Increase) |
Research & Development (R&D) intensity: Gross Domestic Expenditures on R&D (GERD) as % of GDP |
1.3% (Stable) |
Program Activity | Expected Results | Forecast Spending 2008-09 ($ thousands) |
Planned Spending ($ thousands) |
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | ||||
Business Development and Entrepreneurship |
Strong SMEs in Western Canada with improved capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace. | 58,043 | 48,849 | 38,989 | 38,478 | Strong Economic Growth |
Innovation |
A stronger knowledge-based economy. | 87,506 | 77,264 | 55,036 | 49,070 | An Innovative and Knowledge-based Economy |
Total for SO 1 | 145,549 | 126,113 | 94,025 | 87,548 |
Business Development and Entrepreneurship – The change in planned spending for Business Development and Entrepreneurship in 2009–2010 and future years is due to a reallocation of resources to the new Internal Services program activity and the sunsetting of the incremental funding provided in Budget 2005 and the Canada Business service centres1, pending renewal of this program.
Innovation – The change in planned spending for Innovation in 2009–2010 and future years is primarily due to the completion of the construction of the International Vaccine Centre’s (InterVac) Biosafety Level II Containment Facility in Saskatoon, the reallocation of resources to the new Internal Services program activity and the sunsetting of the incremental funding provided in Budget 2005.
Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|
Disposable income per capita |
$31,082 (Increase) |
Labour productivity growth – real GDP per hour worked |
1.2% (Stable growth rate) |
Program Activity | Expected Results | Forecast Spending 2008-09 ($ thousands) |
Planned Spending ($ thousands) |
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | ||||
Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment |
Communities have increased economic opportunities and capacity to respond to challenges. | 109,506 | 81,280 | 37,389 | 36,946 | Strong Economic Growth |
Infrastructure |
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. | 2,265 | 7,566 | 1,040 | 574 | Strong Economic Growth |
Total for SO2 | 111,771 | 88,846 | 38,429 | 37,520 |
Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment – The change in planned spending for Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment in 2009–2010 and future years is primarily due to the completion of the Mountain Pine Beetle Initiatives (Community Economic Diversification Initiative and the Airport Improvements Initiative) as well as the Alberta and Saskatchewan Centenaries projects. It also reflects a reallocation of resources to the new Internal Services program activity and the sunsetting of the incremental funding provided in Budget 2005.
Infrastructure – The change in planned spending for Infrastructure in 2009–2010 and future years is due to the sunsetting of the Infrastructure Canada Program funding and the reduced operating resources related to the delivery of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
WD continues to deliver programs such as the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) and projects under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), on behalf of Infrastructure Canada, through an Other Government Department (OGD) suspense account. Under this delivery mechanism the Grants and Contributions resources associated with these programs are reflected in Infrastructure Canada’s reference level. WD will deliver the Building Canada Fund – Community Component and non-transportation related Major Infrastructure Component projects over a seven-year period.
Performance Indicators | Targets |
---|---|
Percentage of key informants with the opinion that WD activities provide policies and programs that support the economic development of Western Canada. |
55% |
$’s of project funding ($’s WD project funding plus $’s leveraged) |
$350,040,000 |
% of projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets |
85% |
Program Activity | Expected Results | Forecast Spending 2008-09 ($ thousands) |
Planned Spending ($ thousands) |
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | ||||
Collaboration and Coordination | Better-coordinated economic development activities, policies and programs in the West. | 6,055 | 2,888 | 2,789 | 2,783 | Strong Economic Growth |
Research and Analysis | Improved understanding of western Canadian economic issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities. | 4,254 | 2,666 | 2,610 | 2,606 | Strong Economic Growth |
Advocacy | Decisions by other organizations that improve economic policies and programs in the West. | 2,818 | 3,246 | 3,211 | 3,213 | Strong Economic Growth |
Total for SO3 | 13,127 | 8,800 | 8,610 | 8,602 |
Collaboration and Coordination; Research and Analysis; and Advocacy - The changes in these three program activities are primarily the result of the reallocation of WD operating resources to the new Internal Services Program Activity.
Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2008-09 ($ thousands) |
Planned Spending ($ thousands) |
Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | |||
Internal Services | N/A | 18,762 | 17,773 | 17,705 | Strong Economic Growth & An Innovative and Knowledge-based Economy |
Total for SO 4 | N/A | 18,762 | 17,773 | 17,705 |
Operational Priorities | Type2 | Links to Strategic Outcome (SO) & Program Activity (PA) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Technology Commercialization |
Ongoing |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
Trade and Investment |
Ongoing |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
Business Productivity and Competitiveness |
Previously committed to |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
Rural Diversification |
Previously committed to |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
WD places a priority on Management Excellence and continues to make progress in improving management practices as encouraged through the annual Management Accountability Framework assessment.
Management Priorities – Management Excellence | Type | Links to Strategic Outcome(s) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Public Service Renewal |
Previously committed to |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
Previously committed to |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
|
Integrated Risk Management |
Previously committed to |
SO 1 |
Why is this a priority?
Plans for meeting the priority
|
It is anticipated that during 2009–2010 WD will face some significant challenges in achieving its strategic outcomes and priorities stemming from largely negative and unstable economic conditions forecasted for Western Canada and throughout the global economy. WD’s mandate is to support economic development and diversification in the West. Implementing this mandate takes on a greater prominence and complexity during a period of major economic downturn when the region is facing low commodity prices and low or even negative economic growth in many sectors and areas of its economy.
As a commodity driven and trade oriented economy, much of Western Canada’s economic performance depends heavily on the resource sector and is vulnerable to world market conditions and the volatility of commodity prices. Economic growth in Western Canada has slowed significantly in 2008 and the outlook for 2009–2010 is deteriorating. Private sector forecasts, which
are the basis for developing WD’s target for real GDP growth for the region to guide its own strategies and priorities, have been downgraded considerably over the last few months.
While cognizant of these challenges WD, as the federal government’s regional development agency in Western Canada, is well positioned to advance the federal government’s agenda in stimulating the economy in the region while supporting projects and programs that position western Canadian industries, individual firms, and R&D organizations to compete effectively in the
global economy over the long term. The priorities and plans outlined in our Report on Plans and Priorities are designed to respond to current economic conditions in the West, while ensuring the Department remains flexible and responsive enough to address new challenges and opportunities that might emerge in the highly uncertain global marketplace.
In terms of general economic risk, as was recently highlighted in the June 2008 report of the Competition Policy Review Panel “Compete to Win”, a significant challenge to the West’s long term economic health and global competitiveness is the low rate of productivity in comparison to many of our most important global competitors - particularly the US which is by far our largest trade partner. Some key factors hindering productivity growth in Western Canada’s business sector include low investment in new machinery and equipment, slow adoption of new process and technology, lack of “capacity” to improve efficiency, lagging workplace training, and lack of human and financial capital. Productivity is also impacted by the shortage of skilled labour in Western Canada, as less skilled workers tend to be less productive. The trend of skilled labour shortage will likely persist as the West’s demographic structure shifts and more baby boomers move toward retirement.
To improve its competitive position in a global environment, Western Canada is challenged to create a more innovative, productive and diversified economy with a strengthened science and technology capability. Public investment in the economy of the West must place a priority on ensuring that research institutions and industries in the region support innovation, value-added production and the commercialization of new products, technologies and services into Canadian and international markets. This must be accomplished in a way that leverages new private sector investment that will build on the existing strengths of the industrial structure of each province, and also supports the development of new, knowledge-based industries and economic output driven by research and the commercial application of new discoveries and innovations. To stimulate new value added economic activity, business formation and skilled job creation, it is important to ensure that the environment and infrastructure for doing business in the West provides a strong foundation for improved productivity and competitiveness. Equally important are policies and programs that facilitate access to early stage capital, which is often an impediment to growth, especially for start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As much of the economy relies on trade, particularly with the US, Western Canada is sensitive to US’ economic recession, world economic slowdown and the fluctuation of the currency. In addition, many parts of Western Canada continue to be challenged with environmental and sustainability issues from resource extraction.
To counter the economic and business risks faced by many firms and industries due to uncertain continental and global market conditions, a greater emphasis must be placed on supporting western Canadian firms to access federal procurement opportunities at home and abroad, while capitalizing on our strategic positioning in the Asia-Pacific region and along the North, Central and South American corridors. The growing capacity of western Canadian research institutions and industries in key emerging sectors like aerospace, life sciences and biotechnology, environmental and new energy technologies, and nanotechnology has created opportunities to develop and secure new markets that represent long term growth for the West.
WD’s plans and priorities for 2009–2010 reflect a strong alignment with the needs of the western Canadian economy over the next year, and support key Government of Canada economic priorities and strategies. As the global economy adjusts to recent economic and financial shocks, the Department will maintain a flexible policy framework to ensure it remains relevant to its clients and maintains strong partnerships. This framework will allow WD to provide coordination and make strategic financial investments in support of the Department’s mandate and to ensure the continued development and diversification of the western economy to support overall Government of Canada priorities and plans.
When implementing its plans for 2009–2010 WD must also address some internal risks related to recruiting and retaining a skilled labour force in what is expected to be a continued highly competitive labour market, maintaining operational continuity, and demonstrating results for Canadians during a period of economic volatility and uncertainty. To respond to these challenges, WD will continue to place a priority on management excellence. This includes a focus on meeting Public Service Renewal objectives, including more fully integrating human resources planning with business planning to ensure we have the right people with the right skills in the right jobs, increasing our organizational capacity to measure and report on our impacts and results for Canadians, and refining our approach to risk management to ensure a sound understanding of operational and management risks faced by the Department and the implementation of policies and practices to ensure public funds are well managed and accounted for.
For the 2009–2010 fiscal year, WD plans to spend $242.5 million to meet the expected results of its program activities and contribute to its strategic outcomes.
The figure below illustrates WD’s spending trend from 2006-07 to 2011–2012.
Although the Department's resources as reflected in the chart have been reduced significantly due to the sunsetting of the Infrastructure Canada Program, WD continues to deliver programs such as the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) and projects under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), on behalf of Infrastructure Canada, through an Other Government Department (OGD) suspense account. Under this delivery mechanism, the Grants & Contribution resources associated with these programs are reflected in Infrastructure Canada's reference levels. WD is the delivery agent for the Community Component of the Building Canada Fund, totalling contributions of $334.5 million over a seven-year period, although only the operating funding to deliver the program will be reflected in WD’s reference levels.
The following section describes Western Economic Diversification Canada program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. WD plans for meeting the expected results and financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each program activity are also included.
This section will contain a discussion of plans surrounding the following program activities:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ 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 | $78,825,105 |
Program Activity Summary: WD works with western Canadian businesses, industry and research organizations to undertake initiatives to enhance business productivity and competitiveness, support trade and investment attraction and penetration of western Canadian technologies, services and value-added products into international markets. Through this program activity, value-added production will be strengthened through support for initiatives in priority sectors to introduce new products, technologies, or innovations to existing production and processes. This program activity will also improve access to risk capital and business services for entrepreneurs and small business through programs and services offered in conjunction with other business services organizations and associations.
WD will implement this program activity through the following sub-activities:
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:
Benefits for Canadians:
Productivity growth is considered to be a key component of long-term economic growth and increasing the long-term material standard of living of Canadians.
WD’s investments will result in increased export opportunities for SMEs and enhance their capacity to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Improving business productivity and expanding markets will lead to new jobs in the West.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ 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:
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:
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.
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:
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:
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:
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.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 | $11,800,000 |
Program Activity Summary: WD provides public infrastructure funding in Western Canada to meet the Government of Canada's commitment to growth and the quality of life of all Canadians. This program activity will renew and build infrastructure in rural and urban municipalities across Canada allowing them to compete in the regional, national and global
economy. WD delivers infrastructure programming in partnership with Infrastructure Canada and the four western provincial governments.
WD will implement this program through in the following sub-activities:
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following activities:
Benefits for Canadians:
Investment into Canada’s infrastructure system will result in a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and better communities, while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.The following section describes Western Economic Diversification Canada program activities and identifies the expected result, performance indicators and targets for each of them. WD plans for meeting the expected results and financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each program activity are also described.
Details on the following program activities are provided:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ 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) | $350,040,000 | |
% of projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets | 85% |
Program Activity Summary: Collaboration and coordination involves bringing people, ideas, communities and resources together. This is accomplished through engaging other levels of government, other federal departments, industry (in particular, industry associations), academia, or the not-for-profit sector in order to plan or precipitate actions that result in a greater degree of development and/or diversification of the western economy. This can involve the process of developing policies and programs with other governments or partners to leverage resources and address economic challenges or taking advantage of economic opportunities in a coordinated fashion.
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to undertake the following:
Benefits for Canadians:
Through this program activity, WD engages with other people and organizations to bring communities, ideas and resources together. WD links the views of western Canadians with national policies, priorities and programs to ensure effective and efficient approaches are taken to strengthen the western Canadian economy. The Department’s leadership and coordinating role helps to identify economic challenges and opportunities for the West. These activities also support the development of an appropriate federal response either through the investment of departmental resources or by collaborating with other appropriate federal departments and agencies.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ 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) | $350,040,000 | |
% of projects completed this fiscal year that successfully met or exceeded performance targets | 85% |
Program Activity Summary: This program activity aims to advance Western Canada's interests in national policies, priorities and programs. Advocacy facilitates an improved understanding and awareness by policy makers of regional issues and opportunities and leads to action by the federal government, partners or stakeholders to help achieve a more balanced, regionally sensitive approach to western Canadian priorities, or that result in a greater share of federal programming or procurement in Western Canada. The activity can also involve advocating on behalf of federal government priorities within Western Canada. Specific examples of this activity include providing input into Cabinet submissions, establishing and participating in western-based consultation forums, advocating in support of specific regional projects or issues, and engaging western Canadian stakeholders in the development and implementation of national priorities.
Planning Highlights: In order to achieve the expected result, WD plans to work collaboratively with other federal departments and agencies, provincial governments and industry stakeholders (as appropriate) to:
Benefits for Canadians:
Through this program activity, WD ensures that key federal policy makers are aware of western issues and that western Canadians are able to access and participate in federal programs. As a result, the West is more likely to benefit from federal and joint federal-provincial policies and programs that are relevant to the region’s economic opportunites and challenges. Similarly, western Canadians are more likely to participate in federal and joint federal-provincial economic programs, resulting in a stronger regional economy and economic benefits for all of Canada .Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ 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:
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.
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.
The following tables are located on the Treasury Board Secretariat website:
WD’s Corporate Business and Human Resources Plan for the three year planning period beginning 2008-2009 is available on WD’s website. This Corporate Business Plan provides an integrated and comprehensive overview of the Department’s Strategic Outcomes and priorities, which guide WD’s activities and frame planning and reporting.
WD recognizes the value and contribution of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) in the economy of Western Canada, and within the context of WD’s mandate, support for their economic development and diversification, as with all western Canadian communities, is a priority.
WD’s Official Languages Act (OLA) related activities are in alignment with departmental priorities and strategic outcomes, as well as the government’s 2008-2013 federal strategy for official languages - A Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality. WD received $3.2 million under ‘The Roadmap’ for economic development for OLMCs. WD collaborates with other federal institutions (such as Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, the other regional development agencies), and the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) to maximize the economic benefits for western OLMCs.
The Framework on the following page depicts the logical relationship among WD’s strategic outcomes and its program activities. It also demonstrates how WD’s 2009–2010 priorities contribute to achieving the Department’s strategic outcomes, and how WD contributes to Government of Canada outcomes.