Marginal note:Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Western Economic Diversification Act.

Marginal note:Definitions

2. In this Act,

“Department”

« ministère »

“Department” means the Department of Western Economic Diversification established by subsection 4(1);

“Minister”

« ministre »

“Minister” means the Minister of Western Economic Diversification;

“Western Canada”

« Ouest canadien »

“Western Canada” means the Provinces of Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Marginal note:Purpose

3. The purpose of this Act is to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of Western Canada in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation.

Marginal note:Department established

• 4. (1) There is hereby established a department of the Government of Canada called the Department of Western Economic Diversification over which the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, appointed by commission under the Great Seal, shall preside.

• Marginal note:Minister

  (2) The Minister holds office during pleasure and has the management and direction of the Department.

• Marginal note:Deputy Minister

  (3) The Governor in Council may appoint an officer called the Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification to be the deputy head of the Department.

Marginal note:Powers, duties and functions of the Minister

• 5. (1) 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.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (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.