The Governments of Canada and Alberta are pleased to be working together through the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) to stimulate local economies and foster growth by supporting innovative, entrepreneurial and sustainable communities.
With its own unique strengths, opportunities and challenges, Alberta continues to be a place of great potential. It has a rapidly developing technology sector, a high proportion of small- and medium-sized businesses, and emerging opportunities for enhanced links with international markets. A diversified and dynamic economy is key to ensuring that Alberta remains a vibrant place to live and work.
The current WEPA builds upon a strong foundation of shared federal-provincial economic development initiatives. Through the Canada-Alberta WEPA, we are working with organizations in the community to invest in priorities and projects that support a stronger future for all Albertans.
Together, we will advance economic diversification, strengthen economic activity and improve the quality of life in communities across Alberta.
About the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA)
The Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) is a $50 million joint federal/provincial program that supports economic development in Alberta.
The Canada-Alberta WEPA, announced March 20, 2009, is jointly administered by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. WEPA is equally funded by both partners, with each contributing $25 million over four years. This WEPA builds on the success of prior Canada-Alberta WEPA agreements signed in 1998 and 2003.
The purpose of the Canada-Alberta WEPA is to:
- Provide a mechanism for achieving greater federal-provincial cooperation in realizing the economic and regional development potential of the Province of Alberta by way of collaboration; and
- Target the joint strategic priorities whereby Canada and Alberta will work together and with other interested stakeholders to help create innovative, entrepreneurial and sustainable communities.
Canada-Alberta WEPA Strategic Priorities
The Canada-Alberta WEPA will target priorities that address regional needs and are consistent with national and provincial economic development strategies. The Canada-Alberta WEPA has identified four priority areas of activity: Technology Commercialization, Business Productivity and Competitiveness, Trade and Investment, and Value Added Processing.
Technology CommercializationCreate and/or grow the knowledge-based economy in Alberta by commercializing new products, technologies and services for domestic and international markets. Initiatives will contribute to:
- Increased rate of technology development, commercialization and adoption;
- Increased rural innovation and rural capacity to commercialize technologies, products and services;
- Increased growth and creation of jobs in knowledge based sectors.
Strengthen small business development, growth and competitiveness in the global economy through initiatives that will contribute to:
- Increased productivity and efficiency of Alberta-based small and medium size enterprises (SMEs);
- Creating, expanding and retaining of Alberta SMEs;
- Increased investment and business opportunities for Alberta SMEs;
- Enhanced access to capital for Alberta SMEs.
Expand access to international markets and investments through initiatives that contribute to:
- Increased export readiness of Alberta SMEs;
- Increased export sales of Alberta technologies, products and services;
- Access to new markets for Alberta products and services;
- Development of international partnerships, alliances and initiatives to facilitate commercialization and adoption of Alberta technologies, products and services.
Increase revenues of traditional industries by adopting new technologies and processes that transform low value outputs into high value products. Systemic or industry-wide initiatives will contribute to:
- Increased value-added processing and manufacturing;
- Increased productivity and efficiency.
How to Apply
The current Western Canada Partnership Agreement program is now fully subscribed. However, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and Western Economic Diversification Canada advise prospective WEPA applicants that they are prepared to accept project proposals for support under other AET and WD collaborative programs. Additionally, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Alberta Innovates – Connector Service at 1-877-828-0444 or by e-mail at connector@albertainnovates.ca
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