The federal government has allotted more than $160 million in funding to a network aimed at helping small businesses in Western Canada.
The four partner organizations in the Western Canada Business Service Network, or WCBSN, were given $165.6 million, including $21.6 million in new funding. The money is provided on a five-year agreement.
This is the 10th year Western Economic Diversification has worked with WCBSN to provide entrepreneurs with services and information they need to succeed. The WCBSN partners offer planning, technical, advisory and financial services to businesses in Western Canada.
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The largest funding portion goes to the 90 western offices of Community Futures Development Corp. at $135.2 million.
Tom Kennedy, executive director at Community Futures Saskatchewan, said funding for network partners normally comes on a year-to-year basis. He added the five-year commitment would help with planning.
The Women’s Enterprise Initiative offices in the four western provinces received $19.5 million. Four Francophone Economic Development Organizations received $10.9 million.
“What we don’t want to do, and what I think is pretty clear, is that you can’t stimulate economic development or properly assess local economic opportunities from Ottawa,” said Stephen Owen, minister of western economic diversification.
