Minister Goodale unveils Government of Canada's plan to support Saskatchewan's economic future

Grow West: Western Canada Growth Strategy sets a path for a more innovative, inclusive, and connected economy in Saskatchewan, and across Western Canada

REGINA, June 14, 2019/CNW/ - The Government of Canada remains committed to growing the economy, creating good jobs, and keeping Canada competitive. That is why the Government, today, laid out priorities to accelerate western Canada's growth, productivity, and competitiveness.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, unveiled the next chapter of Grow West: The Western Canada Growth Strategy—a strategy to grow the western economy through four interconnected pillars:   

• Diversification: Build a broader economy by growing emerging sectors and transforming resource sectors
• Trade: Seize global opportunities by improving export access and growing markets
• Skills: Foster talent for the new economy by strengthening education and upskilling
• Communities: Connect to innovation and growth by building resilience and liveability, and enhancing digital access

Western Canada has significant opportunities for strong growth, even with the natural and economic challenges of recent years. For example, in Saskatchewan, producers and food processors are building value-added agriculture to help feed growing world demand, while new digital technologies are creating opportunities for communication and business growth. With a rich endowment of natural resources, strategically located trade corridors, a highly skilled workforce, and strong capacity for research, the West is well-positioned to continue to thrive.

In 2018, the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, started laying the foundation to capitalize on home field advantages by engaging in meaningful conversations with Canadians about western Canada's future. Budget 2019 allocated $100 million in new funding over the next three years for Western Economic Diversification Canada to strengthen programming and advance Grow West with like-minded partners. With a strong history of supporting industry, innovation, and economic development, the Department will coordinate efforts under the diversification priority.

To learn more about Grow West: The Western Canada Growth Strategy, visit www.grow-west.ca.

Quotes

"The world we know is changing and in order to succeed in the new global economy, we must mobilize all Canadians to deliver real change for the middle class and those working hard to join it. Grow West: The Western Canada Growth Strategy sets our path forward towards building an inclusive and innovative Canada. We're excited to work alongside Canadians to realize the vision of the future, while creating the jobs of tomorrow."
-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"The launch of Grow West underscores the Government of Canada's full commitment to Saskatchewan's economy. We're working together to unlock transportation bottlenecks, get our products to new markets, and drive innovation. And we've backed that work with key federal investments like the Protein Industries Supercluster, the purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, road upgrades for national trade corridors, training nearly one million Saskatchewan students to code and bringing faster internet to 30 rural Saskatchewan communities."
-        The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness   

Quick facts

• Over the past two decades, western Canada's strengths have helped drive national economic growth. In 2017, the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $756 billion.
• The western provinces are home to nearly a third of the national population, more than half of all Indigenous peoples in Canada, and over 40 per cent of its recent immigrants.
• According to the last census, six of Canada's fastest growing cities are in the West: Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Lethbridge, and Kelowna.
• Western Canadians are entrepreneurial and innovative. The region has more than 450,000 small- and medium-sized businesses that account for 92 per cent of private sector employment.
• In 2017, western Canada exported over $193 billion in goods and over $30 billion in services to other countries. The western provinces also exported $154 billion worth of goods and services to each other and the rest of Canada.
• Western Canada is home to the world's largest potash reserves, third-largest crude oil reserves, and fourth-largest uranium reserves.

Related documents

• Grow West: The Western Canada Growth Strategy
• Western Canada Growth Strategy
• What We Heard report
• Government of Canada Announces New Funding and Engagement Plan for Western Canada Growth Strategy

Associated links

• Innovation and Skills Plan
• Economic Strategy Tables
• Building an inclusive and innovative Canada
• Backgrounder: Investing in Regional Innovation and Development

Follow the department on Twitter: @ISED_CA,@WD_Canada

Backgrounder

The Path Forward — Western Canada Growth Strategy

June 14, 2019 – Regina, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada

The Government of Canada remains committed to growing the economy, creating good jobs, and keeping Canada competitive. That is why the Government, today, laid out priorities to accelerate western Canada's growth, productivity, and competitiveness.

Pillars for Growth

Based on engagement with western Canadians and Government of Canada partners, Grow West: TheWestern Canada Growth Strategy has four interrelated pillars for growth:

https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/images/cont/images/English_Pillar.jpg

Related documents

• Grow West: Western Canada Growth Strategy
• Western Canada Growth Strategy
• What We Heard report
• Government of Canada Announces New Funding and Engagement Plan for Western Canada Growth Strategy

Associated links

• Innovation and Skills Plan
• Economic Strategy Tables
• Building an inclusive and innovative Canada
• Backgrounder: Investing in Regional Innovation and Development

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada