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Western Economic Diversification Canada
		
                       "MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS"

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BACKGROUND:

The Department of Western Economic Diversification (WD) was established by
the Western Economic Diversification Act (S.C. 1988, c.17) on June 28, 1988.
Its mandate is:

   * to develop and diversify the western economy;
   * to coordinate federal economic development activities in the West; and
   * to represent the interests of western Canadians in national
     decision-making.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Western Diversification's goal is to help small and medium business in
Western Canada grow and create jobs. We provide a single entry point for
small business to access government programs through our network of 90
offices in Western Canada including Canada Business Services Centres, WD
regional offices, Community Futures Development Corporations and the Women's
Enterprise Centres.

The commitment of WD is to be of service to small business, to listen to
small business needs, to offer help and advice and to be accessible through
all of our community points of service - in person, by telephone, fax or
e-mail.

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Western Economic Diversification Canada  is pleased to announce that four new information products are now 
available via the WD web site: (http://www.myriadgate.net/wd).

� "Am I an entrepreneur?" self assessment tool
� Overview of Small Business in Western Canada
� Window on Western Canada
� Window into Western Canada's Economy: focusing on subsets human resources and exports.

For more detail on what the products are all about, please see the descriptions below.

We invite you to get on the 'Net and check them out!


We welcome your feedback on these products or any other related subject.  Please contact Shawn Streifel - 
Information Services Secretariat at shawns@eagle.wbm.ca with any comments or questions.

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Product Name: 	"Am I an entrepreneur?" Self-Assessment
Description:	An entrepreneurial self-assessment tool which is available on the WD homepage.  WD 
converted a previously established paper/pencil based assessment into an electronic version which 
questions, calculates and produces reports for the user.  The assessment is composed of 75 questions which 
will profile and identify a potential entrepreneurs strengths and weaknesses - it does not suggest whether 
or not a person should undertake becoming an entrepreneur. The exercise will take approximately 20 minutes 
to complete.

	Available via the WD web site located at http://www.myriadgate.net/wd.  In addition, two (free) 
downloadable versions will be available.  One is in a 16 bit format (MS Windows 3. version) and the other 
in a 32 bit format (MS Windows 95 version).  Online instruction will be available for downloading.


Product Status:	English version is available now with the French version available by mid-July, 1996.


Product Name: 	Overview of Small Business in Western Canada
Description:	This overview presents a picture of where the small business community fits in the economy 
of Western Canada.  This product provides readers with a comprehensive sample of all data that is 
available about the small business community and directs readers where they can find more information on 
topics of interest.  Topics range , for example, from defining the term "small business" to information 
about how much small businesses pay employees, to key financial ratios for some sample small businesses.

Available via the WD web site located at http://www.myriadgate.net/wd.

Product Status:	English version is available now with the French version available by mid-July, 1996.
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Product Name: 	Window into Western Canada�s Economy: Exports; Human Resources

Description:	Similar to "Window on Western Canada", this product uses StatsCan information to  provide 
an insight into two key aspects of the Western Canadian economy: export performance and human resources..

Exports are the key to economic diversification and by far the strongest engine of economic growth.  Human 
resources are widely recognized as a major competitiveness factor and they are central to capitalizing on 
opportunities in the new economy

Available via the WD web site located at http://www.myriadgate.net/wd.

Product Status:	English version is available now with the French version available by mid-July, 1996.
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Product Name: 	Window on Western Canada

Description:	Window on Western Canada expands the information available on the home page and 
capitalises on the growing Internet user-base by promoting and informing the global community about the 
vast opportunities available in Western Canada.

The product is structured by describing key attributes about each western province and key pan-western 
industries.  Readers can navigate through the site by using either provincial map or industry icons.  
Short, descriptions are provided to capture the inquirers interest to continue pursuing and researching 
additional information on the West.  Links to those organizations that "deliver" the goods in each 
specific area. 


Available via the WD web site located at http://www.myriadgate.net/wd.


Product Status:	English version is available now with the French version available by mid-July, 1996.

-- 
Shawn Streifel
Information Services Secretariat
Western Economic Diversification 
(306) 975-6048
http://www.myriadgate.net/wd/