Supporting Information on the Program Inventory

Program 1.1: Innovation

Description

Introducing innovative new products, technologies or improvements to existing processes enhances business growth and competitiveness in global marketplace. Western Economic Diversification Canada’s (WD) Innovation programming makes strategic investments with western Canadian businesses, industry organizations and post-secondary institutions to enhance business innovation through research and development, and technology commercialization.

Planned Results

The targets below are based on currently active WD projects that contribute to this indicator. The estimated results by region for these projects are added together to get the target for 2018-19. For these indicators, many of the projects are multi-year and results may not be realized during each year of the project.

* HQP = highly qualified personnel.
** STEM = science, technology, engineering and math.

* Main Estimates, Planned spending and Full-time equivalents figures do not include Budget 2018 announcements. More information will be provided in the 2018–19 Supplementary Estimates and Departmental Results Report, as applicable.

Program 1.2: Business Growth

Description

The Business Growth Program has two domains which support western Canadian businesses, industry and research organizations to enhance their productivity, participation in global markets, and competitiveness. Trade, Investment and Market Access domain increases western Canada's participation in global markets, increasing awareness of western Canada's technology capabilities abroad and attracting foreign investment to the region. The Business Productivity domain supports western Canadian businesses, not for profit organizations and industry in initiatives to enhance productivity, competitiveness and the growth of western Canadian businesses.

Planned Results

The targets below are based on currently active WD projects that contribute to this indicator. The estimated results by region for these projects are added together to get the target for 2018-19. For these indicators, many of the projects are multi-year and results may not be realized during each year of the project.

* Main Estimates, Planned spending and Full-time equivalents figures do not include Budget 2018 announcements. More information will be provided in the 2018–19 Supplementary Estimates and Departmental Results Report, as applicable.

Program 1.3: Business Services

Description

The Business Services program consists of six Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN) members, which are independent organizations that receive financial support from WD to provide services to prospective and current entrepreneurs to help start, grow or expand small businesses across western Canada. This network offers its services to western Canadians in over 100 locations. WCBSN members include:

• Community Futures (CF);
• Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI);
• Indigenous Business Development Services;
• Francophone Economic Development Organizations;
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program; and
• Canada Business Network.

Planned Results

* The 2018-19 target is based on a rolling 5-year average (2011-2016) with a 3-year data lag. For this estimate, 3 years before 2018-19 (2016 data), the western Canadian economy was still in recession, hence the lower target.

** Past data includes only employment growth from Community Futures (CF) organizations.

*** The target is based on existing WD loan data and the aggregate of regional targets. Regional feedback and past data suggest that as the economy improves, loans and government assistance tends to decrease.

* Main Estimates, Planned spending and Full-time equivalents figures do not include Budget 2018 announcements. More information will be provided in the 2018–19 Supplementary Estimates and Departmental Results Report, as applicable.

Program 1.4: Community Initiatives

Description

The Community Initiatives program provides targeted funding to support economic development activities in communities across western Canada. Programming in this area is often through dedicated, temporary supplementary funding from the Government of Canada or through the department's own special allocations in response to the specific challenges that affect western Canadian communities. It also provides community funding in western Canada to build and renew infrastructure in rural and urban municipalities across Canada, allowing them to compete in the regional, national and global economy.

Planned Results

For the targets below, there are currently no planned grants or contributions for infrastructure or targeted adjustment support in 2018-19. WD will use operating funds to monitor recent projects and for ongoing policy development related to community initiatives.

* WD’s community initiatives in 2014–15 and 2015–16 were delivered on behalf of Infrastructure Canada and thus reported through Infrastructure Canada.

** The results achieved for 2016–17 represent projects completed under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

*** WD did not provide adjustment support in this fiscal year.

* Main Estimates, Planned spending and Full-time equivalents figures do not include Budget 2018 announcements. More information will be provided in the 2018–19 Supplementary Estimates and Departmental Results Report, as applicable.