Government of Canada and Western Provinces to Negotiate New Economic Development Agreements

(Western Economic Diversification Canada)

The Government of Canada and the four western provinces are negotiating new Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs) that will help stimulate economic growth, expand the knowledge economy, and modernize infrastructure to create jobs and new opportunities for western Canadians.

The joint federal and provincial investment of $200 million over five years was announced in Banff today [Friday] by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.

The announcement was made by Minister Ambrose during a meeting with all her provincial counterparts responsible for economic development and science and technology in Western Canada.

“These negotiations for new Western Economic Partnership Agreements demonstrate our government’s commitment to working in cooperation with the provinces,” said Minister Ambrose. “These flexible agreements are a productive federal-provincial collaboration that promote economic diversification, strengthen economic activity and improve the quality of life across the West.”

Under the agreements, the federal government provides funding of $25 million for each western province. The federal investment is matched by $25 million from each of the provincial governments, providing a total $50 million in funding for each province to address specific regional challenges.

“The strong relationship that has developed between Manitoba and Canada as a result of Economic Partnership Agreements has, over the years, provided numerous economic development opportunities for communities throughout Manitoba,” said Andrew Swan, minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade. “Continuing the agreement means a stronger economy and further investment in the province.”

“I look forward to working with the federal government to create a Western Economic Partnership Agreement that will facilitate economic development in British Columbia,” said Hansen. “We have seen some great successes with the projects developed under this program in the past few years, and we look forward to continuing this partnership between governments.”

“Saskatchewan’s economy is on a roll and WEPA is helping to strengthen our key sectors and provide businesses with more tools to succeed in the knowledge-driven global marketplace,” Minister of Enterprise and Innovation, Lyle Stewart said. “The agreement has been a very effective and valuable tool in stimulating economic development and because of it important initiatives will be funded.”

“Alberta’s drive to diversify its economy benefits from the flexibility of the Western Economic Partnership Agreements,” said Honourable Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Our priority is to expand Alberta’s knowledge-based economy and promote technology commercialization opportunities through targeted strategies and programs to develop talented people, help local companies grown, and attract investment, entrepreneurs, and high-tech companies to Alberta.”

The new series of agreements will build on the success of previous WEPAs, which have invested $180 million in the shared economic priorities of the federal and provincial governments. A recent evaluation of the prior agreements, which expired on March 31, found they have effectively advanced innovative projects and leveraged significant additional financial investment from non-government sources.

Details of the agreements will be finalized in the coming weeks.