Supporting Information on Lower-level Programs (19784)

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 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

¹ HQP = highly qualified personnel.

² STEM = science, technology, engineering and math.

³ Target is based on anticipated active projects reporting during the 2019-20 fiscal year and is an aggregate of regional targets. Consequently, trends analysis would not be an accurate way to assess these results.

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.

¹ Reflects shift in WD's programming from Business Growth to Innovation. The target does not include exports from the Innovation program projects, which will be tracked and reported in the 2019-20 Departmental Results Report. Target is based on anticipated active Business Growth program projects with exports as an indicator that will report during the 2019-20 fiscal year. Consequently, trends analysis would not be an accurate way to assess these results.

² Target is based on anticipated active projects reporting during the 2019-20 fiscal year and is an aggregate of regional targets. Consequently, trends analysis would not be an accurate way to assess these results.

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 Western Economic Diversification Canada 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

¹ Target is the average of the actual results from past three years.

² Past data includes only employment growth from Community Futures (CF) organizations.

³ The target is based on CF and WEI business loans data and is an aggregate of regional targets.

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

¹ WD's community initiatives in 2015–16 were delivered on behalf of Infrastructure Canada and thus reported through Infrastructure Canada.

² The results achieved for 2016–17 and 2017-18 represent projects completed under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.

³ Target for 2019-20 is based on delivery of the Restoring Rail Service to Churchill, MB initiative. Consequently, trends analysis would not be an accurate way to assess these results.

⁴ WD did not provide adjustment support in 2015-16 and 2016-17 fiscal years.

⁵ The results achieved for 2017-18 reflect delivery of the Drywall Support Program.

⁶ Target for 2019-20 is based on delivery of the Canada Coal Transition Initiative. Consequently, trends analysis would not be an accurate way to assess these results.