If there is one thing everyone in our region agrees upon, it is the need for economic diversification.
It is a priority in our resource-based communities seeking a broader economic base. It is a priority in Aboriginal communities seeking employment and economic opportunities.
Economic diversification recognizes the degree that there are many opportunities in our area. It recognizes the degree to which partnerships are the key.
That is why it is so concerning to see the federal government failing on economic diversification.
The federal government has repeatedly failed to spend millions of dollars allocated for economic diversification.
From 2010 to 2014, the government left $70 million unspent for Western Economic Diversification (WED).
In question period, I called on the Minister to invest the allocated funds and respond to the needs of communities. I pointed out that WED funding helps small businesses and supports our communities diversifying.
I called on the government to spend the money and commit to diversified economic development in western Canada.
It is time the federal government invested in economic diversification in our region.
