West at a Glance - May 2017 Issue
(PDF; 481 KB)
Inside this issue
- Provincial Government Developments
- News and Opinion Highlights
- Key Economic Indicators
- Upcoming Events
Provincial Government Developments
British Columbia
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Government of BC supports LNG for marine transportation - The provincial government has announced amendments to its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation (GGRR) that will support natural gas utilities' ability to increase liquid natural gas (LNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) use in transportation, marine, and other sectors. The changes to the GGRR will allow programs funded by utilities to increase incentives for LNG use in the marine sector, including the conversion of vessels to LNG, increased marine fuelling infrastructure, and increased supply of RNG. This action is part of the province's Climate Leadership plan and is intended to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Government of BC reaches pipeline agreements with Indigenous communities - Benefit agreements have been entered into with 29 First Nations communities located along four proposed natural gas pipelines in northern BC. This represents agreements with 90 percent of the eligible First Nations, for a total of 64 agreements. Most agreements include an initial payment of over $1 million as well as additional payments for milestones during the projects. The agreements are aimed at establishing long-term relationships between the provincial government and the Indigenous communities, which will support environmentally and socially responsible LNG development. The proposed pipelines include the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project, the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project, and the Pacific Trail Pipeline Project.
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Government of BC prepares for and responds to softwood lumber - The provincial government announced an investment of $7.7 million to diversify markets for the softwood lumber industry and reduce reliance on the US market. The investment will go towards promoting the use of BC wood, advancing wood products, and increasing global markets. Additionally, the province announced the formation of a Wood Secretariat, intended to promote the value-added and specialty wood sector, including innovation, skills training, and access to markets. The Secretariat will be co-chaired by a representative from government and from industry.
- Government of BC provides funding to reduce Indigenous communities diesel reliance - The BC government, through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, is investing over $750,000 in nine First Nations clean energy projects. These projects will reduce the reliance on diesel power generation, a concern for many remote Indigenous communities, by exploring alternative and sustainable energy sources. Projects include: the Wuikinuxv Nation's 350-kilowatt run-of-river hydroelectricity facility, Lhtako Dene increasing its stake in the Castle Mountain Independent power project, Westbank First Nation exploring the possibility of installing rooftop solar panels to heat a portion of its community school and building centre, Semiahmoo First Nation developing a community clean-energy plan, and the Ts'elxwéyeqw Tribe exploring a partnership with the proponent of the Frosst Creek Hydro project.
Alberta
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Government of Alberta signs protocol agreement with the Blackfoot Confederacy -The Government of Alberta has signed a new protocol agreement with the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes three First Nations in southern Alberta: the Blood Tribe (or Kainai First Nation), Piikani Nation, and Siksika Nation. Membership in the three nations totals 25,000. The agreement establishes a formal process for collaboration on economic development, culture and language, environment, reconciliation, and other issues. This is the first protocol agreement signed between the Government of Alberta and a First Nations group outside the Treaty areas of the province. The Government of Alberta will provide a $375,000 grant to the Blackfoot Confederacy to support implementation of the agreement.
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National Gathering of Elders receives funding from the Government of Alberta -The Government of Alberta is providing $100,000 to support the National Gathering of Elders, which brings together representatives from 623 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups to discuss issues such as reconciliation, treaties, climate change, and education. The event will be held in Edmonton from September 11-14, 2017. The gathering is also expected to address relationship-building with corporations, institutions, and Canadians to achieve greater mutual understanding. Approximately 3,000-4,000 delegates from across Canada will be in attendance.
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Alberta will not establish a Crown Corporation for Infrastructure -The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), released April 2017, included a list of key exclusions by jurisdiction that were negotiated by the provinces, territories, and federal government over the past two years. Although the final agreement stated that Alberta intends to create a Crown corporation responsible for all infrastructure procurement conducted by the provincial government, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deron Bilous, has indicated that this will not be the case. Minister Bilous noted that the language was included to allow future Alberta governments the option of establishing a Crown corporation but that the current government has no intention of doing so.
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CARES funding announced for Unmanned Aerial Systems Range -The Government of Alberta is providing $300,000 to the Village of Foremost for phase two of its Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Range project. The funding is part of the Community and Regional Economic Support (CARES) program, announced in September 2016, which will provide up to $30 million for economic development projects in the province. In June 2016, Western Economic Diversification Canada invested $300,000 into the UAS project to support range fit-up costs. The Government of Alberta provided $100,000 at the same time for business development and range management. The Foremost facility is the first permanent restricted airspace for unmanned air systems (drones) in Canada and is used for research and development and testing for civil and commercial drones.
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Government of Alberta engages in international missions - The Government of Alberta has engaged in several missions to the US and Asia over the month of April. These included a trip by Premier Rachel Notley and Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Tokyo to grow Alberta's energy export markets. The trip resulted in several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Chinese partners and the signing of a sister-province relationship agreement with the province of Guangdong. In addition, Edmonton-Decore MLA Chris Nielsen traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico for bilateral talks on trade at the National Council of State Legislatures, and Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd traveled to New York City to attend the Future of Energy Summit.
- Alberta FireSmart Program receives increased funding -The Government of Alberta is providing $45 million over the next three years for its FireSmart Program, which includes $10.5 million for fire prevention in the Fort McMurray area. The FireSmart program is a national program that supports municipalities to reduce the risk of wildfires. Funds will go towards education, vegetation management, planning, interagency co-operation, and emergency planning.
Saskatchewan
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Premier Brad Wall supports federal stance on softwood lumber - On April 25, 2017, the Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, joined other provincial premiers in a conference call with Prime Minister Trudeau to discuss Canada's approach to the latest softwood lumber dispute. Premier Wall took the opportunity to compliment the federal government's approach to Canada-US trade relations and announced his support to take the same firm and united stance. In 2016, Saskatchewan's softwood lumber exports to the US totalled roughly $84 million. Softwood lumber exports to the US represented roughly 15 percent of the province's total forestry exports in 2016. Incoming tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber exports could have a negative impact on Saskatchewan's forestry sector, which accounts for approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in the province.
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Saskatchewan leading in wholesale trade growth rate - On April 24, 2017, the Government of Saskatchewan issued a news release announcing that in February 2017 wholesale trade in the province increased by 18.3 percent (seasonally adjusted) over 2016, the highest percentage increase among the provinces and almost three times the 6.6 percent recorded nationally for the same period. On a month-over-month basis, the rate increased by 3.1 percent between January and February, recording the highest rise among the provinces. The wholesale trade growth is an indicator of the strength and resilience of the Saskatchewan economy.
- Canadian Free Trade Agreement a benefit for Saskatchewan - According to Saskatchewan's Minister responsible for trade, the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) will help Saskatchewan businesses and workers pursue opportunities across the country. The agreement, which takes effect July 1, 2017, will greatly reduce barriers to trade, investment, and worker mobility resulting in more opportunities for the province's economy to grow and diversify. Saskatchewan businesses exported nearly $20 billion worth of goods and services to the rest of Canada in 2015.
Manitoba
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Government of Manitoba releases 2017 budget -The Government of Manitoba released its latest budget on April 11, 2017. The province's Budget 2017 includes a 2.1 percent increase to core government spending and a deficit of $840 million, down from a projected $872 million in 2016.
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Manitoba launches Northern Economic Summit series -On April 3, 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise, and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen launched a series of Northern Economic Summits to engage northern businesses and residents as part of the government's Look North Strategy for long-term, sustainable northern economic development.
- Canada and Manitoba invest in water and wastewater infrastructure -The governments of Manitoba and Canada are investing more than $37 million in 24 new water and wastewater infrastructure projects across rural Manitoba. The investments will support a variety of projects intended to contribute to the health and well-being of residents, protect provincial waterways, and preserve local ecosystems.
News and Opinion Highlights
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Pembina Pipeline signs LOI for LPG terminal - Pembina Pipeline announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Prince Rupert Legacy Inc. (a subsidiary of the City of Prince Rupert) to develop a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export terminal on Watson Island, BC. The terminal would have an estimated capacity of 20,000 barrels per day of LPG and be connected to Sturgeon County, Alberta by rail.
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Wood Buffalo extends tax relief following 2016 wildfire - On March 28th, the Municipal Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) voted in favour of providing tax relief for residential properties that were destroyed or irreparably damaged by the May 2016 wildfires and remain uninhabitable. The RMWB will also ask the Government of Alberta for provincial education tax relief for the same properties and will request Government of Alberta funding equal to the amount being canceled under the municipal property tax relief scheme. Approximately 2,580 residential structures were destroyed in the fires, and as of February 28, 2017, only 558 rebuild development permits had been approved by the RMWB.
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#TransformSK report on building a stronger and sustainable province - The #TransformSK -initiative led by five business organizations in the province including the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, Saskatchewan Mining Association, and the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - has released a report titled The Upstream Economy: A Generational Dialogue for Transformative Change. The report is based on 60 consultation sessions held across the province in 14 communities and contains 45 Calls to Action touching on a diverse range of issues of importance to the province relating to education, healthcare, infrastructure, the economy, and Indigenous engagement.
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Catalyst Paper wins trade dispute - Richmond-based Catalyst Paper won its trade dispute with the US Department of Commerce where it was ruled that Catalyst received minimal subsidies in the production of supercalendered paper. The ruling allows the company to be excluded from a trade action that imposed duties on shipments to the US. The decision is in line with a preliminary decision from last fall and now requires the US Department of Commerce to repay Catalyst millions of dollars that the company paid in preliminary duties.
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UBC report calls for suspension of BC's Site C dam project - A report released by the University of British Columbia recommends the Site C dam project be put on hold and reviewed by the BC Utilities Commission. The report explains how key changes since Site C's initial approval, including price decreases in alternative options and a decrease in demand for power, mean the project will no longer benefit the provincial economy as once expected. Additionally, the report states that power from the hydroelectric station will likely be exported at losses of up to $1 billion.
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Behlen Industries Secures $45 Million Contract - Brandon, Manitoba-based Behlen Industries, Canada's largest manufacturer of steel building systems, has been awarded a $45 million overseas contract to build three indoor sports arenas in the country of Georgia. The company will be hiring at least 20 more skilled workers to add to their staff of 250 to help complete the project. The company has previously completed a number of projects in Georgia, Russia, and Siberia although more than 80 percent of its business dealings are in Canada. If this project is successful, the company will pursue similar opportunities in the future.
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Manitoba First Nations Technology Council plans to lay 3,600 km of fibre optic cable - Canada's largest collectively-owned First Nations technology council will help connect Manitoban rural and remote communities with high-speed internet access. The Council is hoping to secure funding under the federal Connect to Innovate program and extend existing fibre optic infrastructure to create the Clear Sky Connections network. The project is currently in early stages with no official start date.
- Great West Life to reduce workforce by 13 percent - Winnipeg-based Great West Life will be reducing its workforce across Canada by 1,500 employees, or 13 percent, and approximately 450 layoffs will take place in Winnipeg. The reduction will come from restructuring over two years to allow the company to reduce costs and increase competitiveness within the insurance and investment product market. The company plans on reducing its temporary workforce and will offer both voluntary retirement and severance packages to affected employees.
Key Economic Indicators
| British Columbia | Alberta | Saskatchewan | Manitoba | Canada | Last Update | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Domestic Product | ||||||
| Real GDPFootnote 1 (2007 $billions, forecast) | $221 | $295 | $58 | $57 | $1,710 | 2017 |
| % ch. from year earlier | 2.4% | 2.2% | -1.2% | 2.0% | 2.1% | |
| Labour Market | ||||||
| Employment (SA, thousands) | 2,454 | 2,289 | 568 | 640 | 18,311 | Apr-17 |
| Change from previous month | 11.3 | -0.3 | -2.2 | -0.5 | 3.2 | |
| % ch. from previous month | 0.5% | 0.0% | -0.4% | -0.1% | 0.0% | |
| % ch. from year earlier | 3.4% | -0.8% | 0.2% | 1.1% | 1.5% | |
| Unemployment Rate (SA,%) | 5.5% | 7.9% | 6.2% | 5.4% | 6.5% | Apr-17 |
| percentage points from previous month | 0.1 | -0.5 | 0.2 | -0.1 | -0.2 | |
| percentage points from year earlier | -0.3 | 0.5 | -0.1 | -0.8 | -0.6 | |
| Regular EI beneficiaries (SA) | 53,530 | 88,470 | 18,040 | 15,660 | 554,160 | Feb-17 |
| Change from previous month | -1150 | -3,330 | -770 | -290 | -11,690 | |
| % ch. from previous month | -2.1% | -3.6% | -4.1% | -1.8% | -2.1% | |
| % ch. from previous year | -0.9% | 31.8% | 13.5% | 0.1% | 0.7% | |
| Average weekly earnings | $931.22 | $1,108.40 | $1,003.63 | $907.02 | $967.59 | Feb-17 |
| Change from previous year | $18.02 | -$13.00 | $15.38 | $17.96 | $14.11 | |
| Prices | ||||||
| CPI (y/y) | 2.0% | 1.3% | 0.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | Mar-17 |
| CPI (y/y) previous month | 2.3% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 2.0% | Feb-17 |
| Consumers and Business | ||||||
| Retail Sales (SA, $millions) | $6,618 | $6,634 | $1,677 | $1,635 | $47,763 | Feb-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | -0.7% | -0.3% | 0.6% | -0.1% | -0.6% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 4.3% | 6.3% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 4.7% | |
| Manufacturing Sales (SA, $millions) | $3,847 | $5,744 | $1,361 | $1,477 | $53,629 | Feb-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | -1.7% | -1.4% | 0.4% | -1.4% | -0.2% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 5.9% | 16.4% | 22.7% | 3.1% | 6.8% | |
| Building Permits (SA, $millions) | $962 | $1,110 | $151 | $181 | $7,002 | Mar-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | -23.1% | -0.6% | -38.6% | -31.5% | -5.8% | |
| % ch. from previous year | -13.3% | 9.8% | 13.2% | -25.7% | 1.5% | |
| Housing Starts (SAAR, thousands) | 47 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 214 | Apr-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | -0.9% | -11.1% | -17.9% | -31.9% | -15.1% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 0.0% | 9.0% | -9.7% | 13.6% | 13.5% | |
| International Trade | ||||||
| Merchandise Exports ($millions) | $4,068 | $9,603 | $2,560 | $1,146 | $45,861 | Mar-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | 35.5% | 20.3% | 13.4% | 4.7% | 19.2% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 26.8% | 68.3% | 20.2% | -4.2% | 16.5% | |
| Merchandise Imports ($millions) | $4,543 | $2,373 | $994 | $2,083 | $49,861 | Mar-17 |
| % ch. from previous month | 10.9% | 16.5% | 28.4% | 22.6% | 16.4% | |
| % ch. from previous year | 6.8% | 6.6% | 10.6% | 11.9% | 8.2% | |
| Demographics | ||||||
| Population (estimate) | 4,777,157 | 4,280,127 | 1,158,339 | 1,328,346 | 36,503,097 | Q1 2017 |
| % ch. from previous year | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCs Economic Future - An All-Party Debate | Business in Vancouver (BIV) will host a debate with Andrew Wilkinson (BC Liberal Party), Carole James (BC NDP Finance Critic), and Andrew Weaver (BC Green Party Leader) to discuss the future of BC's economy. | Vancouver, BC | BCs Economic Future :May 2, 2017 |
| PwC | PwC hosts its 30th annual Global Forest, Paper & Packaging Industry Conference. | Vancouver, BC | PwC :May 10, 2017 |
| WOOD MARKETS | WOOD MARKETS will host the 7th Annual Global Softwood Log & Lumber Conference shortly after the announcements of countervailing and anti-dumping duties from the US. | Vancouver, BC | WOOD MARKETS :May 11, 2017 |
| Simon Fraser University | The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host SFU President and Vice-Chancellor, Andrew Petter, in a discussion about building BC's innovation economy. | Vancouver, BC | Simon Fraser University :May 30, 2017 |
| 2017 BC Economic Summit | The BC Economic Development Association will host this year's summit, focusing on key issues facing economic developers, community planners, and Indigenous leaders and communities. | Victoria, BC | 2017 BC Economic Summit :June 11-13, 2017 |
| Aboriginal Opportunities Forum | The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host its annual Aboriginal Opportunities Forum 2017 with keynote speaker Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, MP for Granville and Minister of Justice. | Vancouver, BC | Aboriginal Opportunities Forum< :June 16, 2017 |
| Alberta | |||
| University of Calgary's W21C Program 2017 Reverse Trade Show | A trade show hosted by Alberta Health Services, which highlights clinical challenges for seniors that could be addressed through the development of innovative technological solutions. | Calgary, AB | University of Calgary's W21C Program 2017 Reverse Trade Show :May 2, 2017 |
| Workers and Communities in Transition | An Energy Futures Lab Community Meeting to discuss workers and communities in transition. | Edmonton, AB | Workers and Communities in Transition :May 2, 2017 |
| Alberta-US Trade Summit | A summit hosted by Calgary Economic Development that will include expert panels discussing the current political and economic environment. | Calgary, AB | Alberta-US Trade Summit :May 2-3, 2017 |
| 2017 Summit of Co-Operative Leaders | Hosted by the Alberta Community & Co-Operative Association (ACCA), this summit will feature panel discussions on the role of co-ops in strengthening Alberta's economy. | Red Deer, AB | 2017 Summit of Co-Operative Leaders :May 3, 2017 |
| 15th VenturePrize Awards Celebration | An awards event hosted by TEC Edmonton to celebrate innovation and technology in Alberta. | Edmonton, AB | VenturePrize :May 4, 2017 |
| Report to the Community: Reimagine | An event by Calgary Economic Development discussing new ideas and innovative technologies and how they shape Calgary's story to the world. | Calgary, AB | Report to the Community :May 5, 2017 |
| CCAB Aboriginal Economic Development Conference | A conference highlighting innovation in the Indigenous economy. | Calgary, AB | CCAB :May 11, 2017 |
| Let's Talk Exports with EDC's Peter Hall | Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and Export Development Canada (EDC) are hosting a breakfast with guest speaker Peter Hall, Vice President and Chief Economist at EDC, to discuss global economic trends. | Edmonton, AB | CME-ENO :May 11, 2017 |
| Polytechnics Canada's Annual Conference | The theme of this years' conference is "Canada's Polytechnics: Building Canada through Skills and Innovation," and it will feature keynote speaker Jamie Merisotis, President and CEO of the Lumina Foundation. | Edmonton, AB | Polytechnics Canada's Annual Conference :May 31-June 1, 2017 |
| CERI 2017 Petrochemicals Conference | An event hosted by the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI), focused on global opportunities and challenges for the Canadian petrochemicals manufacturing industry. | Kananaskis, AB | CERI :June 4-6, 2017 |
| Alberta & Saskatchewan Renewable Energy Summit | A summit on renewable energy opportunities in Alberta and Saskatchewan with speakers and industry exhibits. | Calgary, AB | Renewable Energy Summit :June 5-6, 2017 |
| Smart Energy Communities | An Energy Futures Lab Community Meeting to discuss smart energy communities. | Edmonton, AB | Smart Energy Communities :June 6, 2017 |
| Radical Carbon Efficiency in Energy Production | An Energy Futures Lab Community Meeting to discuss radical carbon efficiency in energy production. | Edmonton, AB | Radical Carbon Efficiency in Energy Production :June 8, 2017 |
| The Festival of Big Ideas | An exhibition held by ABC Tech featuring Edmonton Region innovators. | Edmonton, AB | The Festival of Big Ideas :June 9-10, 2017 |
| Global Petroleum Show | An Industry event featuring educational seminars, networking, and exhibitions related to the energy sector. | Calgary, AB | Global Petroleum Show :June 13-15, 2017 |
| Business Retention and Expansion International Conference 2017 | An annual conference focused on industry trends and business retention and expansion tactics, strategies and challenges. | Edmonton, AB | Business Retention and Expansion International Conference :June 19-20, 2017 |
| Tecnovate 17 | TECTERRA's forum providing Canadian geospatial technology companies with opportunities to network, build alliances, and develop commercial opportunities. | Calgary, AB | Tecnovate :June 21, 2017 |
| Saskatchewan | |||
| 2017 Agri-Value and Networking Event | This year's theme is "Growth, opportunities and Challenges in Value-Added Processing." The workshops will feature an address by Lyle Stewart, the Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, as well as other local and international speakers. | Saskatoon, SK | Agri-Value and Networking Event :May 4, 2017 |
| 2017 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference | The conference includes talks on crude oil transportation, production optimization, geology, and environmental issues. Also featured is the core workshop, intended to give delegates a unique perspective on the geology of key plays within the Williston Basin. | Regina, SK | Williston Basin Petroleum Conference :May 2-4, 2017 |
| Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. 2017 Annual Business Conference | This year's business conference will focus on "Business Innovation Through Technology," featuring high-calibre speakers and content while providing the opportunity to learn from some of the province's up-and-coming entrepreneurs. | Saskatoon, SK | Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan :May 10, 2017 |
| Carbon Capture Summit - Celebrating Saskatchewan Innovation | The summit will consist of a tour of SaskPower's Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) unit as well prominent speakers from the industry including a special presentation from Saskatchewan's Minister of the Environment. The event also features a presentation from SaskPower on the future of CCS. | Weyburn, SK | Carbon Capture Summit :May 11, 2017 |
| 56th Edition of the Canada Wide Science Festival (CWSF) | Hosted by the University of Regina, the event recognizes students from Grades 7 to 12 that have identified solutions to local, regional, or global concerns through their science projects. Students are competing for nearly $1 million in cash awards and scholarships and are assessed by volunteer judges. | Regina, SK | CWSF :May 14-20, 2017 |
| Leadership Conference 2017 | The event hosted by the Edwards School of Businesses a day of collaboration with evidence-based practitioners who represent industries in health, technology, sports, and education. The event will provide attendees with tools and best practices to implement to make more strategic decisions. | Saskatoon, SK | Leadership Conference :May 18, 2017 |
| Emerging Labour Force Trends Conference | Sponsored by the Government of Saskatchewan, the event will feature the Saskatchewan Minister of the Economy who will give an overview of Saskatchewan's Labour Market Challenges & Opportunities. | Regina, SK | Emerging Labour Force Trends Conference :May 24, 2017 |
| Saskatchewan Mining Week 2017 | The week-long event will feature various activities and events ending with the 49th Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition. | Saskatoon, SK | Saskatchewan Mining Week :May 28-June 3, 2017 |
| International Minerals Innovation Institute - 4th Annual "Let's Talk Minerals!" | This year's event includes sessions on "Innovation through the right Systems, Technology and Culture", "Driving Innovation through Ecosystems", and "PotashCorp Kamskénow - A Learning Journey in Cultural Responsiveness." | Saskatoon, SK | International Minerals Innovation Institute :June 1, 2017 |
| Aboriginal Business Match Event (ABM) | The event in June will spotlight Agriculture and Manufacturing. The event will connect community, national and international decision makers to provide business-ready opportunities for productive land base use and diverse and industrial equipment. | Regina, SK | ABM :June 5-7, 2017 |
| Canada's Farm Progress Show (40th Anniversary) | The 40th Anniversary of the Canada Farm Progress Show brings in more than 40,000 attendees and 700 exhibitors from around the world. The event connects local producers and international customers with the latest in dry land farm equipment, technology and innovation. | Regina, SK | Canada's Farm Progress Show :June 21-23, 2017 |
| Manitoba | |||
| Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Sowing the Seed | The Premier of Manitoba, the Mayor of Winnipeg and expert panelists discuss insights into the innovation and cost-savings P3's can bring to the Winnipeg infrastructure market. | Winnipeg, MB | Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Sowing the Seed :May 2, 2017 |
| Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise | The Canadian Community Economic Development (CED) network hosts a conference that brings together over 250 social entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers and supporters from across the country. | Winnipeg, MB | Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise :May 10-12, 2017 |
| Vision Quest | Vision Quest will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and youth to discuss and promote Aboriginal business, community and economic development. | Winnipeg, MB | Vision Quest :May 16-18, 2017 |
| CANSEC | The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) will showcase leading-edge technology, products and services for army, navy, air force and joint forces military units. | Ottawa, ON | CANSEC :May 31 - June 1, 2017 |
| Skills Canada National Competition 2017 | The Skills Canada National Competition is a multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices from across the country. Each year, over 500 students compete in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions. | Winnipeg, MB | Skills Canada National Competition 2017 :May 31-June 3, 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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