West at a Glance - February 2017 Issue
(PDF; 1.12 MB)
Inside this issue
- Provincial Government Developments
- News and Opinion Highlights
- Key Economic Indicators
- Upcoming Events
Provincial Government Developments
British Columbia
- BC announces its approval of the Trans Mountain expansion – On January 11, the Government of BC announced that all five of its conditions for the approval of an oil pipeline had been met by Kinder Morgan's proposed Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX). The TMX proposal would increase capacity on the existing pipeline system linking Edmonton and Burnaby to 890,000 barrels per day. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced federal approval of the project in November 2016, after he and his Cabinet considered the conditional recommendation to approve made by the National Energy Board. Since Prime Minister Trudeau's announcement, the BC Environmental Assessment Office has granted the project an Environmental Assessment Certificate, and the Government of BC has negotiated a first-of-its-kind revenue-sharing agreement with Kinder Morgan. The revenue-sharing agreement will see Kinder Morgan pay the province between $25 million and $50 million annually for 20 years, for a total of up to $1 billion. These revenues will be dedicated to a new BC Clean Communities Program that will provide grants to community groups to invest in protecting and enhancing BC's environment. The news of BC's approval was met with mixed reactions. Provincial business organizations are largely supportive, but there is opposition from environmental groups, some First Nations, and some local politicians.
- BC releases update to its economic strategy, the BC Jobs Plan – Premier Christy Clark and the Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond, released a 5-year update to the BC Jobs Plan, the province's overarching economic strategy. According to the update, since 2011, BC has added 191,500 new jobs, 96 per cent of which were in the private sector. Other metrics in the report show BC's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country at 5.8 per cent, there are a record 2.4 million people working, and BC has the highest GDP growth rate in Canada. Upon release of the report, Premier Clark said, "[o]ur government's economic plan is clear: creating an environment where hardworking British Columbians can get good-paying jobs to support their families. By focusing on resiliency, and a diversity of markets and sectors expecting solid growth, we're putting our province in a strong position to make the most of our opportunities in a globally competitive marketplace."
- US launches trade action against Canada over BC wine program – The US has initiated a trade enforcement action against Canada at the World Trade Organization (WTO) pertaining to BC's liquor regulations. The US alleges that provincial legislation introduced in April 2015, which allows the sale of some BC wines in designated grocery stores, contravenes Canada's WTO commitments by giving local producers an unfair advantage. BC Jobs Minister Shirley Bond said the province will defend its wine policy against the challenge, and that "trade agreements such as NAFTA allow for a number of private wine outlets that sell only BC wine, and that we are confident in the approach we have taken."
- Premier appointed Santa Ono as Chief Advisor of the Innovation Network – Premier Clark named UBC President Professor Santa Ono as her Chief Advisor of the Innovation Network, which is designed to foster greater collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and innovation-driven industries. The creation of an Innovation Network will link post-secondary institutions to industry – helping to ensure graduates have the skills that industry and employers need from life science to digital media through to clean energy – so British Columbians are first in line for career opportunities. The network will give industry access to leading-edge researchers inside post-secondary institutions to help solve issues in the industry. The network will also support the attraction of business and talent to BC.
Alberta
- Government of Alberta announces changes to cabinet – The Government of Alberta has announced several changes to its cabinet, together with the creation of a Children's Services department (responsibilities for children's services formerly lay with the mammoth Ministry of Human Services). Danielle Larivee, the previous Minister of Municipal Affairs, will now serve as Minister of Children's Services, while Shaye Anderson will serve as Minister of Municipal Affairs and join the Municipal Governance Committee. The Ministry of Human Services will be renamed the Ministry of Community and Social Services and will continue to be led by Minister Irfan Sabir. In total, the Government of Alberta's cabinet consists of 20 ministers, including Premier Rachel Notley.
- Alberta Innovates appoints new CEO – Alberta Innovates has announced its new CEO, Laura Kilcrease, who will replace interim CEO Pamela Valentine. Ms. Kilcrease previously served as founder and managing director of Triton Ventures, a Texasbased venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology companies. Prior to that position, Ms. Kilcrease served as executive director of the University of Texas IC2 Institute's Centre for Commercialization and Enterprise from 1992 to 1997. Ms. Kilcrease has been widely credited for her role in the growth and diversification of Austin, Texas, a formerly oil- and gasdependent economy. She will report to the Alberta Innovates board of directors, which includes 11 innovation experts and business leaders.
- Alberta announces Non-Profit Energy Efficiency Transition program – The Government of Alberta is launching a $1-million grant for non-profit agencies to assist them in auditing the efficiency of their lighting, heating, cooling, and hot water systems. Those audits will help non-profits to take advantage of Energy Efficiency Alberta's new rebate program, which was announced in the fall of 2016 and offers incentives for organizations to purchase and install high-efficiency products.
- Government of Alberta launches new export program – The Government of Alberta has launched an Export Readiness MicroVoucher Program as part of its Export Expansion Package announced in August 2016. The program will be facilitated by Alberta Innovates and will help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop strategies for entering new markets, with advice from experts. Under this program, SMEs are able to apply for up to $5,000 to offset the costs of developing international market assessments/business plans for a specific country. Approximately 120 companies are expected to benefit from this support over the next three years.
- Alberta carbon levy implementation – Alberta's carbon levy came into effect on January 1, 2017. The levy applies to all greenhouse-gas-emitting fuels, including diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane, at a rate of $20/tonne in 2017 rising to $30/tonne in 2018. The Government of Alberta estimates that approximately 60 per cent of Alberta households will receive full rebates while six per cent will receive a partial rebate. Large industrial emitters will continue to be subject to the Specified Gas Emitters Regulations (SGER) framework until the end of 2017. The SGER requires facilities emitting over 100,000 tonnes of GHG emissions to reduce their site-specific emissions intensity by 20 per cent. Compliance with this standard can be met through direct emissions reductions, emission performance credits, Alberta-based carbon offset credits, or contributions to the Alberta Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund.
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan to consolidate health regions to one provincial health authority – The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that it will consolidate its 12 existing regional health authorities into one provincial health authority. Consolidating Saskatchewan's health regions was recommended by an advisory panel appointed by the government last summer to recommend options for more efficient health service delivery in the province. The new provincial health authority is expected to be launched in fall 2017.
- Saskatchewan and Canada reach health care funding agreement – The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced a ten-year funding agreement for health care. Under the agreement, Saskatchewan will receive $348.8 million to improve home care and mental health services, in addition to funds delivered through the Canada Health Transfer. Other jurisdictions that have concluded individual funding agreements with the federal government include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the territories.
- Government of Saskatchewan orders cap to public service compensation – The Government of Saskatchewan has directed the province's public service to avoid any increases to their total compensation budgets, indicating that total compensation costs for 2017-18 could not exceed costs for 2016-17. In a letter to public sector services, the government suggested a number of measures to achieve its directive, including a freeze on wage increases, range increments, and performance pay, and urged employers to begin consultations and bargaining. The government has indicated that other options to reduce costs may include a reduction in salaries, unpaid days off or leaves of absence, or layoffs. The Government of Saskatchewan is working to reduce its budget deficit, which is projected to be $1.04 billion for 2016-17.
Manitoba
- Manitoba government contributes to funding the largest pea-processing facility in the world – European food manufacturing company Roquette has announced it will invest $400 million in a pea-processing facility in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Over 300 people are expected to be employed during the design and construction stages of the plant, and 150 once the plant is open. The company stated the availability of the crop and hydroelectric power, skilled labour force, and business environment were drivers behind the decision to invest in the province. The provincial and municipal government will provide $6.8 million to the company in tax increment financing and $2.5 million will come from the federal-provincial Growing Forward Program. The plant will be the largest of its kind in the world and will process vegetable proteins and pharmaceutical products.
- $36 million investment at University of Manitoba – The Governments of Canada and Manitoba announced joint funding ($32 million federal and $4 million provincial) to support the construction of two new buildings, the Stanley Pauley Engineering building and the Smartpark Innovation Hub, on the University of Manitoba campus. The Innovation Hub will include rentable space for companies and will act as an information exchange centre for companies located in the Smartpark.
News and Opinion
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BC life science firms secure financing and partnerships – Three life science firms in BC secured financing and high-profile partnerships in January. AbCellera Biologics, a WINN recipient, announced a multi-year collaboration with Pfizer to develop new antibody candidates using AbCellera's proprietary antibody discovery platform. AbCellera will receive an upfront payment and research support and will be eligible to receive up to $90 million in contingent milestone payments, as well as royalties. Microbion Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in hard-to-treat and antibiotic-resistant infections, announced a US$25 million investment from Quark Ventures and GF Securities. Aspect Biosystems has entered into a research collaboration with DePuy Synthes Products, a division of Johnson & Johnson, to develop a three dimensional bioprinted knee meniscus using Aspect's proprietary "Lab-on-a-Printer" 3D bioprinting platform. The intent is to develop a bioprinted tissue suitable for surgical therapy.
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Winnipeg Airport surpasses initial growth estimates – The number of people passing through the Winnipeg airport grew by 7.6 per cent in 2016, far surpassing expectations. The Winnipeg Airports Authority credits the strong growth to a close working relationship with Travel Manitoba and Economic Development Winnipeg to build amenities and promote economic initiatives in the surrounding area. Talks with a prospective client are in the works to develop a 250-acre portion on the west side of the airport. This new development could add another 450 jobs to the 175 currently employed on the campus.
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US approval of Keystone XL pipeline project – US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 24 to permit construction on TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline, subject to a renegotiation of some of the terms of the project, including the use of US steel. The US government had previously rejected the project's application in November 2015. The proposed 1,897 km pipeline would carry 800,000 barrels a day of oil from Hardisty, AB to the US Gulf Coast. Federal Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr has estimated that the construction of Keystone XL would result in 4,500 jobs in Canada.
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AltaGas announces new propane facilities – Calgary-based AltaGas Ltd. has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent with an unnamed Montney producer to construct a natural gas processing facility, a natural gas liquids separation train, and a rail terminal in Alberta. The facilities will be connected to the CN rail network, allowing AltaGas' propane exports to reach its yet-to-be-built Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal near Prince Rupert, BC. AltaGas reached a positive final investment decision for the $475-million terminal on January 3 and will begin construction in early 2017. Also in January, the Wall Street Journal reported that AltaGas was negotiating a merger with Washington, D.C.,-based public utility holding company WGL Holdings Inc. in a deal worth US$5 billion to US$6 billion. The new facilities in Alberta and the export terminal are expected to be operational in 2019.
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Southern Chiefs Organization elects new Grand Chief – Jerry Daniels was elected as Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs Organization, a group of Manitoban First Nations. Daniels won a close election against the incumbent Grand Chief, Terry Nelson, after four rounds of voting. His priorities as Grand Chief include restoring families, improving indigenous education, and creating a mentorship program for urban indigenous youth. Daniels is seen as part of a new generation of indigenous leaders in Manitoba, along with Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson, and NDP MLA Wab Kinew.
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Encanto Potash signs agreement with India – Encanto Potash has signed a 20-year agreement with the National Federation of Farmers' Procurement, Processing and Retailing Cooperatives of India. Under the agreement, Encanto will sell five million tonnes of potash per year for the next 20 years to India. Encanto plans to build a mine on the Muskowekwan First Nation, some 100 kilometres northeast of Regina. Encanto estimates that the mine will cost $3 billion to build and will operate for 50 years. Muskowekwan First Nation will have a 100-per-cent share and full control over the mine, which will be the first potash mine in Saskatchewan on First Nations land. A start date for construction of the proposed mine has not yet been announced.
- Oil pipeline leak in southern Saskatchewan – An estimated 200,000 litres of oil spilled from a pipeline onto agricultural land owned by the Ocean Man First Nation near Stoughton, roughly 140 kilometres southeast of Regina. The oil spill is contained in a low-lying area and has not entered any water sources. The source of the leak is a pipeline owned by Calgary-based Tundra Energy Marketing Ltd., who has been leading cleanup efforts. As of January 27, roughly 180,000 litres of oil have been recovered and over 450 tonnes of soil have been removed from the site. The Government of Saskatchewan has indicated that cleanup will continue until the site has been restored. Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment was first notified of the spill on January 20, 2017. Tundra Energy Marketing is a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons, Ltd., a Winnipeg-based grain and energy corporation.
Key Economic Indicators
| British Columbia | Alberta | Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Canada | Last Update | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Domestic Product | ||||||
| Real GDPFootnote 1 (2007 $billions, forecast) | $214 | $292 | $58 | $55 | $1,673 | 2016 (f) |
| % ch. from year earlier | 3.0% | -2.0% | 0.2% | 2.1% | 1.5% | |
| Labour Market | ||||||
| Employment (SA, thousands) | 2,408 | 2,267 | 568 | 633 | 18,225 | Dec-16 |
| Change from previous month | 17 | 6.9 | -1.1 | 1.2 | 53.7 | |
| % ch. from previous month | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | |
| % ch. from year earlier | 3.1% | -0.8% | -1.2% | -0.2% | 1.2% | |
| Unemployment Rate (SA,%) | 5.8% | 8.5% | 6.5% | 6.3% | 6.9% | Dec-16 |
| percentage points from previous month | -0.3 | -0.5 | -0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| percentage points from year earlier | -0.9 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.4 | -0.2 | |
| Regular EI beneficiaries (SA) | 56,330 | 96,890 | 21,390 | 15,690 | 574,540 | Nov-16 |
| Change from previous month | 130 | 3,220 | -50 | 180 | -690 | |
| % ch. from previous month | 0.2% | 3.4% | -0.2% | 1.2% | -0.1% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 3.4% | 57.3% | 40.4% | 3.4% | 4.8% | |
| Average weekly earnings | $924.46 | $1,114.21 | $988.81 | $898.14 | $960.60 | Nov-16 |
| Change from previous year | $14.06 | -$17.86 | $6.84 | $14.51 | $8.03 | |
| Prices | ||||||
| CPI (y/y) | 1.9% | 1.0% | 0.6% | 1.1% | 1.5% | Dec-16 |
| CPI (y/y) previous month | 1.6% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 1.2% | Nov-16 |
| Consumers and Business | ||||||
| Retail Sales (SA, $millions) | $6,373 | $6,150 | $1,573 | $1,606 | $45,227 | Nov-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | -0.7% | -0.5% | 1.6% | 0.8% | 0.2% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 5.5% | -2.1% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 3.0% | |
| Manufacturing Sales (SA, $millions) | $3,997 | $5,424 | $1,238 | $1,511 | $51,770 | Nov-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | 2.4% | 3.9% | 1.3% | 2.8% | 1.5% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 10.3% | 0.6% | 11.6% | 2.8% | 1.6% | |
| Building Permits (SA, $millions) | $959 | $827 | $143 | $193 | $7,168 | Dec-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | -23.5% | -24.3% | -8.2% | 5.8% | -6.6% | |
| % ch. from previous year | -26.5% | -28.6% | -38.4% | -7.5% | 1.4% | |
| Housing Starts (SAAR, thousands) | 42 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 207 | Dec-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | -9.4% | 6.4% | 30.6% | -36.7% | 10.6% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 18.8% | 3.5% | 5.0% | -12.9% | 19.9% | |
| International Trade | ||||||
| Merchandise Exports ($millions) | $3,928 | $7,964 | $2,547 | $1,200 | $41,652 | Dec-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | 4.4% | 4.3% | -4.8% | 0.8% | -1.7% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 32.8% | 9.3% | -2.1% | 0.6% | -1.2% | |
| Merchandise Imports ($millions) | $3,867 | $2,255 | $733 | $1,612 | $41,952 | Dec-16 |
| % ch. from previous month | -2.4% | 16.2% | 13.6% | -0.8% | -6.0% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 4.1% | -1.7% | 0.3% | -3.1% | -3.6% | |
| Demographics | ||||||
| Population (estimate) | 4,773,345 | 4,268,929 | 1,155,393 | 1,323,958 | 36,443,632 | Q4 2016 |
| % ch. from previous year | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 1.3% | |
| Largest Cities (CMAs) | Vancouver (2,463,431) | Calgary (1,392,609) | Saskatoon (295,095) | Winnipeg* (778,489) | 2016 | |
| Victoria* (367,770) | Edmonton* (1,321,426) | Regina* (236,481) | ||||
Upcoming Events
| Event | Description | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | |||
| Facing Technology Disruption: Will Your Organization Survive or Thrive? | The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host BCIT President Kathy Kinloch for a panel discussion with three local changemakers who have harnessed disruptive technologies to build successful businesses. | Vancouver, BC | February 7, 2017 |
| Canadian Finance Forum 2017 | The event will provide industry insights and a look at up-andcoming high-tech companies. | Vancouver, BC | February 8-9, 2017 |
| Post-Budget Member Forum with Hon. Michael de Jong, Minister of Finance | The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) will host their annual post-budget briefing with BC's Finance Minister, who will provide an in-depth look at the province's economic plan and fiscal outlook. | Vancouver, BC | February 24, 2017 |
| Transportation Summit 2017: The Future of Our Region | The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host this opportunity for the business community to discuss the future of the region's transit and transportation networks. | Vancouver, BC | March 3, 2017 |
| #BCTECH Summit | The Province of BC and the BC Innovation Council will co-host the second annual #BCTECH Summit, the largest technology conference in BC showcasing the province's technology industry. | Vancouver, BC | March 14-15, 2017 |
| UBC President's inaugural address | The Vancouver Board of Trade will host the new President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia (UBC), Prof. Santa Ono, for his inaugural address. | Vancouver, BC | March 28, 2017 |
| Alberta | |||
| AHIA Breakfast | A breakfast meeting hosted by the Alberta Health Industry Association, featuring Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services. | Edmonton, AB | February 1, 2017 |
| ConvergX – A Global Defence and Energy Conference | A global aerospace, defence, security, and energy conference that aims to create investment and growth opportunities between sectors. | Calgary, AB | February 7-9, 2017 |
| 17th National Conference – Aboriginal Economy | The annual conference hosted by AFOA Canada (Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada), discussing Aboriginal communities' economic growth. | Calgary, AB | AFOA: February 7-9, 2017 |
| Canada-China: New Golden Decade | The Canada China Business Council will host Consul General Wang XinPing and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deron Bilous, to discuss Canada-China relations. | Edmonton, AB | February 9, 2017 : link 1 |
| 30th Annual Deputy Ministers' Dinner | Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) annual dinner offering opportunities for CME members to meet with key Alberta deputy ministers and discuss the future of manufacturing in the province. | Edmonton, AB | February 22, 2017 |
| 2017 Environmental Gathering: Breaking Through | A conference hosted by the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation which will provide opportunities for collaboration between environmental non-profits, First Nations communities, industry, and government. | Edmonton, AB | February 23, 2017 |
| Western Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement | This event brings together participants from industry, Indigenous communities, and government for practical guidance to develop long-term partnerships. | Calgary, AB |
February 28- March 1, 2017 |
| Creating Prosperity Through Innovation | A lunch event hosted by TECTERRA, featuring Director of Portfolio Development Richard Gorecki. | Edmonton, AB | March 1, 2017 |
| Propel Energy Tech Forum | An annual forum for energy technology companies that focuses on technology developments in energy efficiency, oil and gas extraction, pipeline operations, and environmental monitoring. | Calgary, AB | March 1-2, 2017 |
| Southeast Alberta Energy Diversification Symposium (SEEDS) | This conference will provide an opportunity for discussion about Southeast Alberta's energy diversification opportunities. | Medicine Hat, AB | March 2-3, 2017 |
| CERI 2017 Oil and Gas Symposium: Where do we go from here? | Symposium hosted by the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) to discuss the current oil and gas extraction environment such as pipeline approvals, LNG plants, market prices, and First Nations engagement. | Calgary, AB | March 6-7, 2017 |
| Western Business Outlook: Edmonton | The Conference Board of Canada's outlook for Edmonton in 2017. | Edmonton, AB | March 8, 2017 |
| Western Business Outlook: Calgary | The Conference Board of Canada's outlook for Calgary in 2017. | Calgary, AB | March 10, 2017 |
| EDA 2017 Annual Professional Conference & AGM | Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) will host its annual conference with the theme of "Embracing Change. Creating Opportunity." | Banff, AB | March 22-24, 2017 |
| AccelerateAB | An annual event connecting local startups, mentors, investors, and other partners to accelerate the success of Alberta's entrepreneurs. | Calgary, AB | April 19, 2017 |
| XXV Anniversary Business Forum and Gala Dinner | The Canadian Council for the Americas is hosting an event to discuss the future of the economic regions in the Americas (NAFTA, Pacific Alliance, Pacific Rim, US-Canada and the Americas). | Calgary, AB | April 25, 2017 |
| Saskatchewan | |||
| Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention 2017 | The SUMA annual convention tradeshow has become the largest annual trade show of its kind in North America. This year's event is titled "Shaping Saskatchewan." | Saskatoon, SK | February 5-8, 2017 |
| 2017 SABEX Awards | The Gala event honours Saskatoon region's finest businesses with awards in sustainability, community involvement, growth and expansion, and marketing. | Saskatoon, SK | February 9, 2017 : link 2 |
| Regina and District Chamber of Commerce 2017 Luncheon Series | The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of the Economy, will provide a speech outlining the importance of engaging refugees in Regina's economy. | Regina, SK | February 13, 2017 |
| Saskatoon Region Economic Outlook Forum 2017 hosted by the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) | SREDA's annual Saskatoon Region Economic Outlook Forum provides a detailed and insightful look at the year ahead. It discusses the projected outlook for the local economy, the new economic growth drivers, and SREDA's 2017 priorities to strengthen and grow the economy. | Saskatoon, SK | February 28, 2017 |
| SUSTAINTECH 2017 | The third annual SustainTech conference is an innovative event featuring technologies and practices that promote and bring together industry, academia, and regulators to share new ideas and technologies. | Saskatoon, SK | March 16, 2017 |
| CANDO Links to Learning | "Links to learning" is an annual training forum for First Nations Economic Development Officers and Land Management Officers. | Saskatoon, SK | March 28-30, 2017 |
| Saskatchewan Economic Summit 2017 | The Saskatchewan Economic Summit 2017 is organized by the Conference Board of Canada's Saskatchewan Institute. The Summit is an opportunity for senior government officials and decision-makers from the private sector to discuss issues affecting Saskatchewan. | Regina, SK | April 3-4, 2017 |
| Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum | The ninth annual Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum is presented by the Saskatchewan Mining Association, the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy, and the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association. The forum will provide information on how businesses can access mining supply opportunities. | Saskatoon, SK | April 4, 2017 |
| Manitoba | |||
| Crop Connect | This crop production and farm management conference includes a tradeshow and guest speakers on topics ranging from agronomy to finance. | Winnipeg, MB | February 15-16, 2017 |
| Rotary Career Symposium | Manitoba's largest career symposium features over 185 booths with post-secondary and employment options for students and job seekers. | Winnipeg, MB | March 14-16, 2017 |
| 2017 Dare to Compete unConference | This conference is organized around human resources & skills development, technology & innovation, trade & business development, and the business environment. | Winnipeg, MB | March 21, 2017 |
| Manitoba Sustainable Energy Association (ManSEA) | ManSEA holds its annual general meeting and conference, with the theme "Carbon Pricing and Sustainable Energy – What does it mean for me?" | Portage la Prairie, MB |
April 5, 2017 |
Western Economic Diversification Canada
The role of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of Western Canada by supporting programs and services that enhance innovation, business development, and community economic development. In addition, the department undertakes policy, advocacy and coordination activities in order to advance the interests of Western Canada in national economic decision-making.
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