About the Event

The Western Canada Economic Forum (WCEF) is a not-for-profit organization created to showcase the strength of the Western Canadian economy and to create new partnerships for growth. The first annual Forum will be held January 24, 2024 at the Petroleum Club, Calgary, Alberta.

WCEF will convene key Western Canada business leaders to discuss how a strong Western Canadian economy strengthens the Canadian economy and, similarly, how a strong Canadian economy can support growth in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

KEY THEMES

1. Economic Outlook: WCEF will discuss differing views on the economic outlook for the West from 2024 to 2026 and examine the interplay with the Canadian economy as a whole. WCEF will debate a key question: are we as certain on the outlook as some may believe?

2. Provincial Economic Growth Plans: As unique component of WCEF is the gathering of senior provincial government leaders from their relevant “Ministries of the Economy” who will present the provincial economic growth plans for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The session will examine common objectives, key sectors and answer the question; what more can be done to align the western growth strategies?

3. First Nations Economic Development: This session will examine how First Nations are transforming growth in key sectors such as; oil and gas, critical minerals, tourism and infrastructure, and how a greater focus on economic reconciliation can increase GDP across the west.

4. Policy Transformation: This keynote presentation will discuss the urgent provincial policy transformations to ensure the Western Canada economy is able to grow and ensure provincial growth strategies are not a ‘pipe dream’.

5. Financing Business Growth: Leaders will discuss the importance of investment ready capital to support entrepreneurship, invest in innovation and finance business growth and expansion. Examples of how institutional investment partnerships can “fast track” business growth, specifically in the West and key Western sectors.

6. Trade and Investment Attraction: Given the importance of exports and FDI to the Western Economy, business leaders will discuss how these two economic drivers can be augmented in 2024-2030 to drive exponential growth in the West.  

7. Opportunities and Challenges to Economic Growth: WCEF will explore the key challenges and prominent risks to ensuring the Western economy continues to growth. Business leaders will discuss challenges to large corporations, SME’s and entrepreneurs in the context of higher interest rates, inflation, workforce availability, access to capital and global political challenges.

Keynote:  The Honourable Jason Kenney will provide a reflective and forward-looking assessment of how growth in the West can ensure greater prosperity for Western provinces and Canada.