Policy, Advocacy and Coordination

What is Policy, Advocacy and Coordination?

The Policy, Advocacy and Coordination function includes a complementary set of activities that aim to identify and respond to issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities that are relevant to Western Canada. Activities in this area consist of formulating evidence-based advice on policy and program direction; actively intervening to ensure key interests are represented; and, organizing activities that enable stakeholders to effectively work together.

What is the WD connection?

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) undertakes policy, advocacy, and coordination activities in order to advance the interests of the West in national economic policy, program, and project development and implementation. WD’s efforts in this area are aligned with the Government of Canada’s policy priorities, and the department engages with key federal partners in order to contribute western perspectives to national policy development.

Research and Analysis

• WD conducts and funds targeted research that provides the department, key federal partners, and western stakeholders with an improved understanding of Western Canada's economic challenges and opportunities.
• The department also analyzes this research and other available data to inform departmental programming and enable effective policy engagement with other federal departments.

Advocacy

• WD builds relationships with key federal partners and western stakeholders in order to bring western perspectives and priorities to discussions regarding the Government of Canada's priority areas and key policy files.
• The department also facilitates western Canadian business participation in defence procurement contracts as part of the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy.

Collaboration and Coordination

• WD works closely with other federal departments, other orders of government (i.e., provinces and municipalities), industry, not-for-profit organizations and communities to organize events and activities that serve economic development priorities in the West.
• The department also champions new federal initiatives and projects that benefit Western Canada, and promotes coordination in areas of federal or shared federal-provincial jurisdiction.

These activities enable WD to analyze emerging issues, ensure national policies and programs remain relevant for Western Canada, and improve coordination of priorities to enhance WD’s advocacy efforts.

What has been accomplished?

WD activities under policy, advocacy and coordination that have helped strengthen the western Canadian economy include:

Research and Analysis

WD has released many research studies which help increase Canadians’ understanding of opportunities, issues or challenges that affect Western Canada. For example:

• Through the Gateway: Unlocking Western Canada's Potential for Economic Diversification by Expanding Trade with Asia-Pacific is a study that assesses the extent to which trade with the Asia-Pacific region has resulted in trade diversification in Western Canada, and identifies opportunities and future policy issues.

In addition, WD’s research and analysis helps to inform its policy engagement with other government departments, as well as the development of its programming. To find other research papers on economic issues important to Western Canada, please consult the full list of WD’s economic research reports.

Advocacy

WD has effectively represented the interests of Western Canada in a number of forums. For example:

• WD brings western perspectives to national policy thinking in areas such as trade and investment, innovation and energy through engagement with other federal departments.
• WD represents the West in Senior Project Advisory Committee meetings for IRB projects over $100 million, IRB bid evaluations, the development of enhancements to Industry Canada’s IRB policy, and other federal initiatives such as the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.

Collaboration and Coordination

WD frequently collaborates with key stakeholders to organize events and activities to improve opportunities for western Canadian businesses. For example:

• WD worked with the Canadian Environmental Test, Research and Education Centre (EnviroTREC), in partnership with the Aircraft Icing Research Alliance (AIRA),and the National Research Council of Canada Institute for Aerospace Research, to organize a workshop on gas turbine research and development and a business to business event.
• WD worked with other federal government departments to organize components of the Inter-American Development Bank 52nd Annual General Meeting in Calgary.

For more information on these and some of the other WD projects and initiatives, consult our success stories.

What is on the Horizon?

WD has aligned its policy, advocacy and coordination activities with the Government of Canada’s policy priorities. Using these priorities as a guide, WD will continue to build relationships with key federal partners and western stakeholders in order bring western Canadian perspectives and priorities to national policy development. In addition, WD will look for new and innovative ways to collaborate with federal partners and other organizations to support further economic development in the West.

Where can I obtain more information?

Learn more about how WD's Policy, Advocacy and Coordination activities are strengthening the western Canadian economy by reading our magazine Access West or the Evaluation of PAC Functions.

For more information about Policy, Advocacy, and Coordination activities, view WD's 2012-2013 Report on Plans and Priorities, which outlines departmental priorities and expected results.