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Western Diversification Program

What is the Western Diversification Program?
What are the Objectives of the WDP?
Who is Eligible for Assistance?
What Activities are supported by the WDP?
What Costs are Eligible?
How to Apply?
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What is the WDP?

The Western Diversification Program (WDP) is the main program through which Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) makes strategic investments in initiatives that enhance and strengthen the economy of Western Canada. Increasingly, the WDP is used to collaborate with others and is designed to respond to economic priorities.


What are the Objectives of the WDP?

The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:

  • A strengthened western Canadian innovation system, which connects western research with industry's commercialisation focus;
  • An improved business climate in Western Canada, fostering increased competitiveness in global markets and sustained growth;
  • Increased economic activity that improves the viability, prosperity, and quality of life for individuals and communities across Western Canada;
  • Increased economic research in the areas of, innovation, business developement and community economic development to provide a sound base for economic development in areas of importance to Western Canada.

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Who is Eligible for Assistance?

Funding is normally only provided to not-for-profit organizations such as:

  • Industry associations, community and/or economic development organizations & research organizations;
  • Post-secondary institutions, health organizations/regions engaged in research;
  • Indian bands, as represented by their Chief and Council;
  • Provincial or municipal governments, agencies, and crown corporations.

WD also provides financing information for businesses through other programs.

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What Activities are supported by the WDP?

WD supports activities that are aligned with its mandate as well as with its current priorities as outlined in its annual Report on Plans and Priorities. For 2009–2010, WD priorities include projects that:

  • Support technology commercialization;
  • Enhance trade and investment;
  • Improve business productivity and competitiveness;
  • Increase rural diversification.

Funding under the WDP may support the following activities:

  • Stimulate trade and export opportunities that result in increased participation in domestic and international markets;
  • Support the creation and growth of emerging industrial clusters;
  • Facilitate the commercialization of technologies;
  • Strengthen community innovation and capacity building by bringing people, communities, ideas and resources together;
  • Enhance the participation of specific population groups in the economy;
  • Improve small business productivity, and access to information, training, business advisory services and capital;
  • Improve understanding of Western Canada’s economic challenges and opportunities.

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What Costs are Eligible?

Incremental operating and capital costs that are incurred by the recipient and which are required to achieve the desired outcomes are eligible for consideration and may include:

  • Personnel and professional consultation costs;
  • Purchases, leases and acquisitions of equipment, supplies, or proprietary process;
  • Information management and information technology acquisitions;
  • Other costs specified in the project agreement that are reasonable, incremental, and directly attributable to activities necessary to achieve desired results.

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How to Apply?

Before submitting a proposal, or for additional information on the Western Diversification Program, please contact the WD office nearest you, or call us at 1 888 338 -WEST (9378).

You will be required to submit a signed Funding Request Summary form along with your basic proposal and after review, a more detailed proposal may be required. Find out more about the application process for the Western Diversification Program.

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Date Modified: 2010-06-08

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