5.1 – Economic Cluster Growth
WD’s Work on Clusters
Innovative clusters are the building blocks for both emerging industries and transforming traditional sectors. They bring together entrepreneurs, investors, anchor firms, and researchers to tackle common goals.
Clusters encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration, and help businesses grow faster. As they grow, successful clusters diversify local economies, increase productivity and innovation, provide a positive environment for start-ups, and connect businesses to the global economy.
Western Canada is home to high-potential clusters that could significantly contribute to regional growth. WD’s cluster growth approach focuses on building momentum in industry clusters that demonstrate the potential to grow and tap into rising global demand for products and services.
The department works closely with partners to tackle challenges that specific clusters face, including attracting talent and investment, overcoming regulatory hurdles, and increasing exports.
WD primarily focuses its resources on clusters within the following sectors: clean technology, clean resources, life sciences, value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and digital technology.
Spotlight: Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute’s (Amii) AI and machine learning research is ranked third globally.
With WD funding of $2.7 million announced in fall 2019, Amii will demonstrate technologies from Alberta stakeholders that establish viable uses for artificial intelligence and machine learning in health and data analytics.
The project will build knowledge and drive big data innovation for a minimum of nine companies, two research institutes, two associations, three post-secondary institutes, two health clinics, a sport health research network, and a medical lab.
Spotlight: The Saskatchewan Food Centre
Global demand for plant proteins is growing. In the summer of 2019, the Food Centre received $3.5 million through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program delivered by WD.
Funding will help the Saskatchewan Food Centre expand its facilities and install equipment to develop and manufacture new products from plant-based ingredients.
The project directly supports Saskatchewan’s value-added food processing industry, and its capacity to transform a variety of agricultural crops into innovative consumer food products. Funding will assist 30 small to medium-sized businesses in its first 18 months of operation.
Activities to Date
Over the last two years, WD has invested nearly $340 million in over 250 projects that help innovative businesses and ecosystems grow.
WD has also led research and analysis to identify high-potential clusters. The department led engagements with both regional stakeholders and international experts to explore opportunities to further support cluster growth in western Canada.
Ongoing Actions
- WD promotes the growth of innovative regional clusters in high-potential areas through outreach, pathfinding, convening, and development support – including investments.
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