Horizontal Initiatives

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs)

Name of Lead Department(s): Western Economic Diversification

Lead Department Program Activity: Community Economic Planning, Development and Adjustment; Business Development and Entrepreneurship; and Innovation

Start Date: April 17, 2008

End Date: March 31, 2013

Total Federal Funding Allocation (from start date to end date): $100 million

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): WEPAs are five-year, $50 million cost shared agreements between the federal government and each of the four western provinces to promote shared economic development priorities. Approvals may be made up until March 31, 2012, although expenditures on approved WEPA projects may continue until September 2013.

Shared Outcome(s): Greater federal-provincial cooperation towards realizing the economic and regional development potential of the West by helping to create innovative, entrepreneurial and sustainable communities

Governance Structure(s): Joint Federal Provincial Management Committees

Performance Highlights:

Federal Partners	Federal Partner Program Activity	Names of Programs for Federal Partners	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date)	2011-12 ($ millions)
				Planned Spending	Actual Spending	Expected Results	Results Achieved
Western Economic Diversification	Community Economic Development	Western Diversification Program	$10.0M	$14.7M	$17.8M	Leveraging (from all sources) of $1.21 for every $1 spent	$2.10 for every dollar spent*
	Business Development	Western Diversification Program	$45.0M	$9.6M	$7.2M	Leveraging (from all sources) of $1.21 for every $1 spent	$2.10 for every dollar spent*
	Innovation	Western Diversification Program	$45.0M	$0.5M	$0.0M	Leveraging (from all sources) of $1.21 for every $1 spent	$2.10 for every dollar spent*
Total			$100.0M	$24.8M	$25.0M

Comments on Variances: *Leverage at the time of approval, for all projects on approved and proceeding during 2011-12.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): The provincial governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba contributed towards the mutually agreed upon priorities of each of the four WEPAs. The agreements focus on the following federal priorities:

• Supporting the creation and growth of knowledge-based research and development, business clusters and the commercialization of new products, technologies and services;
• Supporting trade and investment promotion;
• Enhancing business productivity and competitiveness; and
• Increasing value-added production in traditional industries.

Projects were also approved/ funded in support of Provincial government priority areas such as:

• Increased rural innovation and rural capacity to commercialize technologies, products and services.
• Promote economic development through tourism opportunities
• Community and regional development and diversification initiatives
• Promote economic diversification in regions & communities

Contact information:

Toll Free Telephone: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail address: info@wd-deo.gc.ca