Mandate

The following document is out of date.

Western Economic Diversification Canada was established in 1987 to help lessen Western Canada’s (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) strong economic dependence on natural resources.  Under the Western Economic Diversification Act, 1988, the Department is mandated to “…promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of Western Canada in national economic policy, program and project development, and implementation.”

To support these outcomes, WD’s programs encourage business development, innovation and community economic development in rural and urban communities.  The Department plays an important leadership and coordination role in furthering western interests and responding to western challenges.  WD works strategically through partnerships – with all orders of government, academic and research institutes, industry associations and not-for-profit organizations – to implement initiatives that leverage funds and expertise for the benefit of the West and westerners.

The Department organizes its programs and services to effectively pursue its mandate through the following Strategic Outcome:  “The western Canadian economy is developed and diversified”, and specifically through program activities which include:

• Business Development;
• Innovation;
• Community Economic Development; and
• Policy, Advocacy and Coordination.

WD’s strategic investments in these areas will help to fulfill WD’s vision:

“To be leaders in creating a more diversified western Canadian economy that has strong, competitive and innovative businesses and communities”.