Policy, Advocacy and Coordination

What is Policy, Advocacy and Coordination?

To provide a solid foundation for the development of effective policies and programs, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) undertakes and supports policy research to improve the understanding of Western Canada's economic issues, challenges, and opportunities.

WD's Policy Advocacy and Coordination activities foster an improved understanding of western Canadian economic issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities through:

• Supporting policy research and analysis;
• Advancing Western Canada's interests in national policies, priorities; and,
• Coordinating economic development activities, policies and programs in the West.

These activities provide WD with a solid foundation for the development of effective federal programs that respond to the interests of the West, and strengthen Western Canada's ability to address economic issues and challenges.

What is the WD Connection?

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) contributes to policy, advocacy and coordination by:

Policy:

• Providing policy context, information and analysis for WD programs to support economic development in the West;
• Improving the understanding of Western Canada's economic challenges and opportunities;

Advocacy:

• Advocating and promoting western interests and aligning western priorities with the Government of Canada's strategic priorities for strong economic growth, science and technology, and international competitiveness;
• Developing strategic solutions to economic challenges facing Western Canada

Coordination:

• Collaborating with other orders of government, other federal departments, industry, academia, not-for-profit organizations and communities to bring ideas and resources together to link western Canadians' views with national priorities, policies and programs; and,
  
• Championing new federal initiatives and projects that benefit Western Canada, and promoting coordination in areas of federal or shared federal-provincial jurisdiction.

For examples of WD projects and initiatives within this program activity area consult our Success Stories: Other Policy, Advocacy and Coordination -related projects.

What has been accomplished?

Effective policies, programs and strategies that have been developed to strengthen the western Canadian economy include:

Policy:

• In 2008, WD commissioned a policy research report to provide a basic overview of the concept of Free Trade Zones (FTZ) and a comparative analysis on
  eleven different zones located throughout the world. This public report contributed to a better understanding of the features and benefits of FTZs.

Advocacy:

• Completed in 2008, the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative created new potential for Western Canada's logistics sector and value-added goods production centres. In collaboration with key federal departments and other stakeholders, WD determines and assesses value-added opportunities for the West that may result from the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
• In October 2009, WD and the Province of Manitoba invested $3.5 million to assist with the startup and operation of CentrePort Canada, a 20,000-acre inland port and trade area focused on advocating Manitoba's role as a hub for international transportation, manufacturing, distribution and warehousing, to create jobs.

Coordination:

• Western Economic Partnership Agreements are four-year agreements between WD and each of the four western provincial governments, which were signed in 2009. These agreements represent a total investment of $200 million to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western communities.
• As an important element of the Department's economic diversification efforts, WD's advocacy in aerospace and defence procurement involves the promotion of procurement strategies and western business to international defence contractors through supplier development missions.
• In 2008-09, WD participated in 11 events at regional, national and international levels to promote western Canadian industry and help individual firms network with international aerospace and defence companies. Some events include: Western Aerospace Alliance Conference; Abbotsford Air show; Saskatchewan Defence Opportunities Forum; CANSEC defence tradeshow; Unmanned Vehicle Systems Canada Conference; DefSec Atlantic defence trade show; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Workshop; and Farnborough International Air Show, Senior Aerospace/Defence Trade Commissioners Meeting.

What is on the Horizon?

Through Policy, Advocacy and Coordination activities, WD will continue to build knowledge that contributes to improved understanding of western Canadian economic issues, challenges, opportunities and priorities.  For more information about these activities, view WD's 2009-2010 Report on Plans and Priorities, which outlines departmental priorities and expected results.