Grow West - The Western Canada Growth Strategy
Priorities for growth
Based on our engagement with westerners and Government of Canada partners, the Western Canada Growth Strategy has four interrelated pillars for growth: Diversification | Trade | Skills | Communities
Our strengths
Western Canada's four provinces span more than 2.7 million square kilometres. The West is a major pillar of the Canadian economy. It accounts for close to 40 per cent of Canada's economy. The West is rich in natural resources, with world-leading reserves of oil, potash, and uranium. Western Canada has over 107,000 farming operations that cover more than 135 million acres, representing 85 percent of Canadian farmland.
The western provinces are home to a third of the national population, more than half of all Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and over 40 per cent of its recent immigrants. People come to the West for new opportunities. We have the highest employment rates and the four fastest growing provincial populations in the country, according to the last census. We also have five of the top 15 research universities in Canada. Western Canadians are entrepreneurial and innovative. The region has more than 400,000 small and medium-sized businesses that account for 92 per cent of private sector employment.
Canada's west coast faces Asia. Its ports handle products going to and coming from fast growing Pacific markets. In 2018, western merchandise exports to Asia totalled nearly $40 billion, accounting for 63 percent of Canada's exports to the region. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's busiest port and the third largest in North America, handling over $200 billion worth of cargo per year.
Western Canada's economic potential extends well beyond its natural resources and geographic advantages. Our region has substantial strengths in leading edge sectors, such as clean technology, digital industries, health, and advanced manufacturing. Two of Canada's industry-led superclusters are located here in western Canada—the Digital Technology Supercluster in British Columbia and the prairie-based Protein Industries Supercluster.
The future Westerners want
Last year, western Canadians were part of a conversation about strengthening our economy and shared their ideas, concerns, and solutions. Feedback was captured in the What We Heard Report. While many are anxious amidst the current uncertainty, western Canadians' vision for the future is exciting.
Over the next ten years, western Canadians want a vibrant and inclusive economy, where:
knowledge-based industries such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, precision health, and composite materials are creating new jobs and reducing our vulnerability to low commodity prices;
resource and agricultural sectors continue to grow, are cleaner, and capture more value;
entrepreneurs have the resources and motivation to grow, including Indigenous and women-led businesses;
transportation bottlenecks are unlocked and our companies are able to access global markets and attract investment;
our workforce is highly skilled, with greater participation by Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and immigrants;
communities are connected to the innovation economy, regardless of size or location; and
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis fully participate and share in Canada's economic success as a critical part of advancing reconciliation and self-determination.
A call to action
No one can achieve these goals alone. Now is the time when western Canadians must work together to tackle challenges and explore creative ideas for growth. We need to better connect with one another, as well as grow our partnerships in the world and other parts of Canada. We need to be accountable, recognize where we fall short, and celebrate success. Our actions must continue to evolve as new challenges and opportunities arise.
The Western Canada Growth Strategy is a call to action. This is not a strategy in a box or a generic blueprint for federal action. This is an invitation to form new partnerships focused on western opportunities. We will explore ambitious ideas, not simple quick fixes. We all need to be a part of building the future that western Canadians want.
Pillars for Growth
Diversification
Build a broader economy
- Grow emerging sectors
- Transform traditional sectors
Trade
Seize global opportunities
- Improve export access
- Grow markets
Skills
Talent for the new economy
- Strengthen education and upskilling
Communities
Connected to innovation & growth
- Build resilience and livability
- Enhance digital access
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Pillars for growth
Based on our engagement with westerners and Government of Canada partners, the Western Canada Growth Strategy has four interrelated pillars for growth.
Diversification
Diversification
Build a broader economy
Government of Canada Leads:
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Natural Resources Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Priorities
a) Grow emerging sectors
- Strengthen innovation ecosystems
- Support high-growth western firms
- Build inclusive technology sectors
- Accelerate innovation adoption
- Modernize regulations
b) Transform resource sectors
- Invest in cleaner resource development
- Embrace technologies that increase productivity
- Capture more value for our products
- Grow regional economic partnerships
Measures of success
GDP growth
GDP share of emerging industries
Business R&D expenditures
Commercialization of technologies
Company collaborations with post-secondary partners
High-growth firms
Clean technology adoption
Trade
Trade
Seize global opportunities
Government of Canada Leads:
Global Affairs Canada
Transport Canada
Priorities
c) Improve export access
- Get western energy to new markets
- Reduce bottlenecks
- Modernize trade infrastructure and plan for the future
d) Grow markets
- Leverage trade agreements
- Enhance export services
- Improve our knowledge of global markets
- Strengthen regional export markets
Measures of success
Export of goods and services
Diverse export markets
Energy and non-energy exports
SMEs exporting
Skills
Skills
Talent for the new economy
Government of Canada Leads:
Employment and Social Development Canada
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Priorities
e) Strengthen education and upskilling
- Develop essential skills that keep pace with change
- Connect academic skills with practical experience
- Strengthen career pathways
- Attract global talent
- Include and empower western Canadians
Measures of success
Employment growth
Share of professional jobs
Labour market participation by underrepresented groups
Attracting high-skilled immigrants
Education completion rates
Communities
Communities
Connected to innovation & growth
Government of Canada Leads:
Infrastructure Canada
Rural Economic Development Secretariat
Priorities
f) Build resilience and liveability
- Keep pace in growing urban centres
- Support communities in transition
- Partner with Indigenous communities and organizations
- Strengthen rural communities
- Build resilience to natural disasters
- Protect arable land
g) Enhance digital access
- Improve broadband
- Build smart communities
- Deliver effective virtual services
Measures of success
GDP growth
Broadband coverage and performance
Community infrastructure investments
Immigration to rural communities
Well-being for Indigenous, rural, and remote communities
Moving Forward
In 2018, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) engaged westerners to hear their ideas for strengthening our economy. They shared diverse perspectives and identified complex challenges, which are highlighted in the What We Heard Report. However, they also pointed to western ingenuity and resilience.
The following sections will explore these connected pillars and highlight priorities for the Western Canada Growth Strategy. The Government of Canada is excited to work alongside western Canadians to realize their vision for the future.
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