3.5 – Your department – PrairiesCan governing legislation

Western Economic Diversification Act

The Western Economic Diversification Act (referred to as the Act) is the governing legislation for PrairiesCan. It establishes the mandate to “promote the development and diversification of the western economy and advance the West’s interests in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation.”

The Act defines western Canada as the four western provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. With the creation of PacifiCan and PrairiesCan, this act will continue to be the governing legislation for both.

“The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction, not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada, relating to the promotion of the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and the advancement of the interests of Western Canada in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation.”
–Western Economic Diversification Act, s. 5(1)

The Act grants the Minister scope to develop the western economy and advance its interests in Ottawa. This covers all matters under the federal government’s jurisdiction that have not been assigned to other federal bodies.

“(2) The Minister shall

(a) guide, promote and coordinate the policies and programs, including those related to industrial benefits, of the Government of Canada in relation to the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada;

(b) lead and coordinate the efforts of the Government of Canada to establish cooperative relationships with the provinces constituting Western Canada, business, labour and other public and private organizations for the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada; and

(c) compile detailed information on all programs and projects undertaken by the Minister for the purpose of measuring trends, development and progress in the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada.”
–Western Economic Diversification Act, s. 5(2)

To develop the Prairie economy and advance the interests of the region, the Minister has primary responsibility for:

• program execution, to promote economic prosperity in the Prairies and improve the business environment;
• relationship management, by leading the Government of Canada’s efforts to work with Prairie Provinces, business, labour, private, and public organizations; and,
• policy development and implementation, such as plans and strategies, economic research and analysis, and results tracking.

The Act also gives the Minister the ability to provide grants and contributions in support of programs and projects in accordance with program terms and conditions approved by the Treasury Board.