Services for Communities

WD invests in community-driven projects and other initiatives designed to increase productivity and competitiveness, and improve the quality of life in western communities.

Funding is available for community projects that support at least one of WD's project activities: innovation, business development and entrepreneurship and community economic development.

Our investments are helping rural and urban communities compete in the knowledge-based economy, develop a more diversified economic base and creating new skilled employment for western Canadians. Areas of focus include:

• Community innovation,
• Value-added production in traditional resource sectors,
• Strengthening the capacity of western communities to undertake effective community economic development, and
• Improving community and transportation infrastructure.

The following sections provide general information on various programs that are available. However, we strongly encourage applicants to contact the nearest WD office and discuss their proposal with a program officer, who can provide invaluable assistance about sources of funds and the application process.

Groups eligible to apply under these programs include universities and other post-secondary academic institutions, research institutes, industry associations and other not-for-profit organizations.

• Western Diversification Program (WDP) (eligibility criteria) (application process) is the main program through which WD invests in projects that support our program activities of innovation, business development and entrepreneurship and community economic development.
• Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs) (eligibility criteria) are multi-year funding commitments to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western communities. WEPAs are cost-shared equally with each of the four western provinces, with a total of $200 million allocated to initiatives identified as federal and provincial priorities. Specific priorities in some regions include tourism revitalization, development and promotion of environmental technologies, and ground-breaking health technology research and development.

WD is also responsible for delivering a number of national initiatives for communities, including:

• The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) is an infrastructure program that will provide $500 million nationally for projects to rehabilitate recreational facilities across Canada that can be completed by March 31, 2011. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering almost $153 million across the four western provinces.
• The Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) will provide $1 billion over two years to address the short-term economic needs of Canadian communities impacted by the global recession. The national fund provides an economic stimulus by supporting projects that create jobs and maintain employment in and around communities that have experienced significant job losses and lack alternative employment opportunities. Western Economic Diversification Canada is delivering the fund for Western Canada, investing $306 million to help communities reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn.
• The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will invest $278 million in the West to improve and increase the stock of core public infrastructure in areas such as water, wastewater, culture and recreation. Delivered by WD in the West, the source of funding for this program is Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
• The Infrastructure Canada Program is a six-year program that has invested over $543 million in more than 1,600 projects that are improving the environment, supporting long-term economic growth and enhancing community infrastructure across the West. Although no new applications are being accepted, program funds are still being disbursed.

WD's multi-year funding for a Western Canada Business Service Network provides over 100 points of service in rural and urban communities. These business service partners deliver information, technical advice and other assistance to provide new and emerging entrepreneurs with the expertise they need to establish or expand their business. The Network includes:

• Canada Business
• Community Futures
• Women Enterprise Initiative
• Francophone Economic Development Organizations