Report Card 2020 - Canada West Foundation
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Report Card 2020
14
REPORTS
11
WHAT NOW?
POLICY BRIEFS
A citizen’s guide to the 2020 Confederation A New Energy Future for Alberta’s export
Clean Fuel Standard of Tomorrow: Survey of Inactive Wells: Survey Results opportunities in Japan
Indigenous Employment Canadians Report 2: 22-sep-20 07-apr-20
and Inclusion The Division of Powers
Is the time right for Trade (Assistance)
december 2020 and Resources
nuclear energy? Diversification
august 2020
2020 Confederation 17-aug-20 16-mar-20
of Tomorrow: Survey of A Compendium of GHG
The need to review Canada’s
Canadians Report 4: Indigenous Reduction Legislation and
Fiscal Stabilization Program
– Non-Indigenous Relations Regulations Across Canada
for provinces after COVID-19 OTHER BRIEFS
december 2020 august 2020
06-aug-20
trade & investment
When Interests Converge 2020 Confederation
COVID-19’s effect on
Agriculture as a basis of re- of Tomorrow: Survey China Brief
energy and emissions – and
engagement with China of Canadians Regional Edition 035 to 063
implications for the future
november 2020 Perspectives on the Economy
20-may-20 human capital
and Climate Change
Appendices | When interests
july 2020 Sustainable Canadian The Future of Work
converge: Agriculture as
Agriculture: Canada’s solution and Learning Brief
a basis of re-engagement Upgrade
for a global problem Issue 01 to 06
with China Towards a Rural Digital
14-may-20
november 2020 Economic Strategy natural resources
july 2020 British Columbia’s export
2020 Confederation Energy Innovation Brief
opportunities in Japan
of Tomorrow: Survey of More Than the Usual Suspects Issue 01 to 11
16-apr-20
Canadians Report 3: Western Canadian export
Identity, Values and Language opportunities to Japan under Manitoba’s export
october 2020 the CPTPP opportunities in Japan
january 2020 14-apr-20
Performance Management
and the Oil Sands: (Three unpublished reports) Saskatchewan’s export
Lessons from Canadian opportunities in Japan
Resource Sectors 09-apr-20
september 2019
07
HOSTED AND
26
SPEECHES/
163
MEDIA
51
OP-EDS
PARTNER EVENTS PRESENTATIONS INTERVIEWS
1919
Including: Including: Including:
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up > Nuclear Power: Part of • Winnipeg Free Press
Policy: A Citizen’s Guide to Canada’s Energy Transition • Calgary Herald
the Clean Fuel Standard Virtual MEDIA MENTIONS
• Business in Vancouver
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up > ESG: What is it, why is (broadcast, print, online)
• Western Producer
Policy: New approaches to it important and how
integrate work and learning does it relate to impact • CBC
assessment? Virtual • The Hill Times
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up
Policy: Implications of > Presentation to Special • Real Agriculture
151K
the U.S. Election for Committee on Canada- • National Post
Western Canada China Relations Ottawa, ON
• Globe and Mail
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up > Presentation to Standing • Wall Street Journal
Policy: ESG: What does Committee On International
• Maclean’s WEBPAGE VIEWS
it mean for Canadian Trade, Bill C-64, NAFTA
competitiveness? Ottawa, ON • Canadian Press
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up > Do Bills C-48 and C-69 • Financial Post
Policy: Marine Safety – How spell the end of the energy
safe are our waters? industry? Lake Louise, AB
> Arthur J.E. Child Pop-up
Policy: Brexit is Happening –
What Next?
Natural
Resources
Centre
policy goal > Finally, we published a What Now briefing on
whether the time is right to reconsider nuclear
Responsible energy energy; published an op-ed on small modular
for the future reactors in the Hill Times; and the centre Director
appeared as a panelist in a webinar on nuclear
energy hosted by Global Public Affairs.
What we promised
In 2020, we promised to continue to help Canadians What it means for Canada’s West
understand what responsible energy development A sustainable, responsible approach to energy
should look like – and to continue to push for the development is expected by the public, by investors
choices that make sense both locally and globally. and by governments. It is also the direction in which
almost all energy industry players are moving.
What we delivered Responsible energy development can help position
> We published a major report on the approaches Western Canada as a global leader and supplier
to performance management that have been of choice. Our work will drive understanding of the
taken by different Canadian resource sectors: crucial role Western Canada plays and identify
forestry, mining, chemicals, electricity, oil and possibilities for our sustainable energy future.
gas and agriculture. The report also discussed
how a similar performance management Still to come
approach could help the oilsands sector. In 2021, we will continue our work in this area,
with a particular focus on ESG and policy
> We started to look at the way in which
measures that can offer incentives for responsible
environmental, social and governance (ESG)
energy development.
factors are being incorporated into responsible
energy production. We published a briefing
that mapped out the organizations that are
working on ESG metrics, performance standards
and credentializing of Canadian oil and gas.
We facilitated a webinar on ESG hosted by the
International Association for Impact Assessment.
> We also studied how public policy can be
used to attract transition finance for future-
fit hydrocarbons. We presented at three
roundtables for the Energy Futures Policy
Collaborative on the topics of policy levers
that can be used to drive investment, Alberta’s
current energy innovation ecosystem and the
definition of future-fit hydrocarbon.
4 CANADA WEST FOUNDATION
policy goal appeared in the Globe and Mail and CBC’s
The Road Ahead, granted media interviews and
Carbon and climate spoke in webinars including sessions hosted
policies that support by Energi Media, Earnscliffe/New West Public
Affairs, Alberta Carbon & Energy group and the
prosperity Rotary Club about this topic.
> We published 16 op-eds discussing the positioning
What we promised and polarization of provincial and federal
As home to many energy-intensive, high-emissions governments on carbon and climate policies.
industries, Western Canada is particularly sensitive
to the effects of carbon and climate policies. This What it means for Canada’s West
creates both opportunities and risks for existing Western Canada is home to many energy-intensive,
and prospective businesses, and for society as a high-emissions industries, and is particularly
whole. While carbon and climate policies already sensitive to the effects of carbon and climate
receive a lot of attention in the media and among policies. Our work helps ensure that carbon
researchers, there are some important gaps in the and climate policies – at both the national and
conversation. In 2020, we promised to continue to provincial levels – consider both environmental
shine a light on what works, and what doesn’t. sustainability and economic prosperity.
What we delivered Still to come
In 2020, we produced ground-breaking work that In 2021, we will continue to keep a close eye on
helped paint a clear picture of the rapidly evolving developments at the federal and provincial level.
policy environment, and where it is headed. We will also work to ensure that the interests
of Western Canada are at the fore as new policies
> We published a compendium of all greenhouse are introduced in the United States by the
gas (GHG) reduction legislation and regulations Biden administration.
across Canada – at the federal, provincial
and territorial levels. Despite the large volume
of legislation and regulations that exist, no policy goal
comprehensive list had ever been collated. This
list has enormous value for anyone researching Getting to go – getting
or reporting on how GHG emissions are
addressed across Canada.
energy innovation adopted
> We published a major report: A Citizen’s Guide
What we promised
to the Clean Fuel Standard. We followed this
Innovation is key to Canada’s transition to a cleaner
with a webinar attended by 235 people. The
energy sector. But the adoption of innovations that
guide was well-received, and resulted in both
could reduce GHG emissions and lower costs faces
media interviews and mentions, such as the
hurdles. These hurdles include regulatory processes
ARC Energy Podcast. We published an update
that aren’t optimized to handle innovation; adopters
in February 2021 that summarized the changes
that are reluctant to take on risk; and difficulties
to the CFS regulations published by the
in proving technology at a commercial scale.
government in late December 2020.
For 2020, we promised to work with a broad
> COVID-19 and the global lockdowns have range of partners – energy innovators, regulators,
had an enormous effect on energy use and technology adopters, accelerators and others –
greenhouse gas emissions. We kept a close eye to identify barriers and supports, and recommend
on implications for the future, and published a changes that increase flexibility and adaptability
What Now policy brief, produced op-eds that without sacrificing the environment or well-being.
2020 REPORT CARD 5
What we delivered policy goal
> In February 2020 we started publishing the
Energy Innovation Brief, a monthly round-up of Getting things built
energy innovations that are changing the way
we think about and use energy. Ten issues were
in Canada
published in 2020 to a very positive response,
with over 300 subscribers, engagement from What we promised
readers writing in with exciting innovations and For 2020, we promised to focus on the issue
a wide social media audience. of how to get energy infrastructure built
in a way that is both responsible and keeps
> In collaboration with the Energy Futures Lab, we
Canada globally competitive.
started a project called Leveraging our Energy
Assets for Diversification (or L.E.A.D.). The project
What we delivered
focuses on amending legislation and regulations
> We monitored and responded to global and
in Alberta that hinder the repurposing of inactive
national trends, including the influence of
facilities, such as orphan wells, for new energy
COVID-19, and the U.S. election. We published
uses. We also published op-eds in the Calgary
six op-eds discussing what these trends are
Herald and the London Free Press, and briefings
likely to mean for the natural resources sector,
about the topic.
spoke in four webinars and were quoted in
77 media interviews on this topic.
What it means for Canada’s West
Western Canadians are energy innovators. But > We evaluated new developments on the
success relies not just on those efforts alone, but intersection between infrastructure development
on the functioning of the ecosystem in which they and Indigenous reconciliation and published an
operate. Our work examines that ecosystem, to op-ed in the Globe and Mail on this topic.
increase the likelihood that innovation will thrive.
> We continued to present to interested audiences
on relevant federal legislation, including the
Still to come
Impact Assessment Act and the tanker ban.
In 2021, we will continue to publish the Energy
Innovation Brief to share stories about the path
What it means for Canada’s West
to an innovative and sustainable energy future.
Across Canada, the prosperity of the natural
We will also continue working towards policy
resources sector relies on both responsible project
recommendations that amend regulations that
development and the building of infrastructure to
allow for energy repurposing. Finally, we will
move products to market. We work to ensure the
participate in a project alongside ACTIA and the
smooth functioning of both.
Foresight Cleantech Accelerator that helps map
Alberta’s cleantech sector competencies.
Still to come
In 2021, we plan to renew our focus on an
integrated Western electricity grid – a critical
support as the economy moves towards
increasing electrification.
6 CANADA WEST FOUNDATION
Trade
& Investment
Centre
policy goal China
China is the second-largest trade partner for each
The West’s relations with western province and the largest importer of key
its largest trade partners agricultural commodities – trade that is increasing
every year. Relevant information for businesses
and policymakers on China as a trade destination
What we promised is critical for the West. Over the past five years, the
Trade & Investment Centre has made a concerted
The United States
effort to build knowledge, competence and
The new NAFTA agreement will not resolve all
capacity to work on issues in the relationship with
trade tensions with the U.S. Country of origin
Caanada’s second-largest trade partner.
labelling, grain grading and the omnipresent
threat of new unilateral tariffs all require proactive
In 2020, the centre will apply that capacity to:
engagement to defend Western Canadian
interests. For western provinces far from Ottawa, > Translate experience from Australia and Brazil
these interests require direct engagement with into policy recommendations for the Canadian
U.S. state counterparts. government to engage China on non-tariff
barrier issues in agricultural trade.
In 2020, the Trade & Investment Centre continued to
> Publish the China Brief news summary of
build on groundwork laid during the previous year:
major issues in Western Canada’s relations
> Work with a consortium of Canadian academics with China. In its second year, the widely read
on a Social Sciences and Humanities brief has become an important tool to increase
Research Council grant to map state-provincial knowledge on China in Western Canada, reach
engagement to enable government and new engaged audiences and highlight western
businesses to make better choices on where and issues in the relationship in Ottawa and abroad.
how to engage.
What we delivered
> Research and recommendations for new
pacts between states and provinces to improve The United States
the economic competitiveness of western > Work with the consortium of academics stalled
North America. on the academic end. CWF changed focus
and conducted a unique analysis of MOUs
> Research for provincial engagement activities
between western provinces and states in the
including continued active membership in
U.S. This research was used to begin laying
groups like the North American competitiveness
the basis for reinstituting governor-premier
initiative by the G.W. Bush Presidential Institute.
meetings between Canadian Prairies and U.S.
mountain western states.
2020 REPORT CARD 7> CWF research and advocacy for the Cascadia China
Innovation Corridor to consider Calgary as China is the second-largest trading partner for the
a member included research, outreach to West, and all of Canada. Work by CWF provided
members of the corridor, briefing Alberta-based evidence that more attention needs to be paid to
organizations – including the Government of this relationship and also provided new, practical
Alberta – and published op-eds. solutions to engagement critical to the West.
CWF is one of the few organizations in Canada to
> On the first day of House of Commons testimony
provide the depth of research to support this type
on the new NAFTA, CWF was called to open
of approach.
testimony, following just after Deputy Prime
Minister Chrystia Freeland and Government
The China Brief is the only publication to focus
of Canada witnesses.
on Western Canadian issues with Canada’s
> CWF continued participation with the Bush second-largest trading partner. The brief not only
Institute and took part in several other similar digests information for Western Canada to help
working groups and conference calls, often inform businesses and policymakers but also
as the only Western Canadian participant. helps to inform other parts of Canada and foreign
audiences as to what issues are important for the
China
West in the relationship.
> CWF published the most in-depth analysis of
U.S.-China agricultural trade, including the only
Still to come
analysis of the impact of the U.S.-China Phase
One agreement. The paper incorporates several The United States
years of research on how to resolve non-tariff We have begun to focus on developing an agenda
barriers with China and proposes a new strategy to restart Premier-Governor engagement between
for protecting the interest of Western Canada the Canadian Prairies and U.S. mountain west.
and the country as a whole in engaging China.
Our paper was called “insightful, inspiring and China
practical,” and was widely disseminated across Public speaking, agricultural stakeholder
both Canada and China, including on the engagement (including agricultural producers,
ground with retailers, consumers and in the provincial and federal ministers, deputy ministers
Embassy of Canada. and civil servants, and consumers) on When
Interests Converge: Agriculture as a basis of re-
> As part of an extensive engagement plan with
engagement will be a major undertaking for 2021.
agriculture producers, CWF has a year-long
We will also research impacts and opportunities for
series of talks on the paper designed through
Western Canada in China’s upcoming five-year plan.
2021, and delivered the first keynote in 2020.
What it means for Canada’s West
The United States
In NAFTA testimony at the House of Commons,
CWF highlighted western provincial government
work to build support and advance Canadian
interests in the U.S. and urged the federal
government to financially support these efforts.
This testimony is an example of how CWF ensures
that western interests are front and centre in
critical national trade policy debates.
8 CANADA WEST FOUNDATIONpolicy goal Still to come
CWF, in partnership with the Asia Pacific
Rediscovering Foundation of Canada, will launch a visualization
other markets of the modelling results to enable public access to
this CPTPP-Japan tracker by business associations,
chambers of commerce and individual businesses.
What we promised
For Canada, the easiest way to lessen its
overdependence on its two largest markets is by
policy goal
getting more out of its existing trade relationships
before striking new agreements. From Mexico
to Japan to Europe, Canada has privileged –
Getting to market
but underused – access to secure, large and open
global middle-class markets. In 2020, the Trade improving canada’s
& Investment Centre will: trade infrastructure
What we promised
> Conduct modelling under the World Customs
In 2019, despite significant investments by the
Organization’s Harmonized System, using
private sector, global perception of the quality and
the most detailed (HS 6-digit level) code, to
reliability of Canada’s trade infrastructure dropped
identify new trade opportunities and total
to 31st from a perceived 15th in the World Economic
potential new market share in Japan. Modelling
Forum’s rankings. New action at home and more
will produce specific information for each
vigorous communication abroad are needed.
of the western provinces.
In 2020, the Trade and Investment Centre will:
What we delivered
> Model the impact of the Comprehensive
> Modelled and identified detailed HS 6-digit
and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
product level export opportunities based
Partnership (CPTPP) agreement on Canada’s
on Japan’s tariff reduction under the CPTPP.
trade infrastructure to enable western provinces
This project was done with extensive
and stakeholders to effectively engage the
consultations with provincial export promotion
federal government and demonstrate to foreign
agencies. Modelling data was turned over
markets that work is being done in Canada.
to these agencies.
> Finish a strategic framework to guide trade
> Four separate, province-specific briefs were
infrastructure planning and prioritization
prepared on the modelling results.
in Canada including translating elements
of Infrastructure Australia and other global
What it means for Canada’s West
best practices.
> Improved data and access to data are useful,
practical tools to improve efficiency and Wage an aggressive public education campaign
effectiveness of export promotion activities to raise awareness around the importance of
and increase western exports. improving trade infrastructure and turn policy
recommendations from the research into action.
> Being able to use empirical evidence
to identify specific opportunities in existing
What we delivered
agreements will better inform the decision-
> Work on the strategic infrastructure framework
making of Western Canadian businesses
continues. A planned release at a second
to grow exports strategically.
New West Partnership premiers’ summit on
trade infrastructure was postponed due to the
pandemic. CWF continues to update the research.
2020 REPORT CARD 9> CWF assembled a national coalition of like- > Identifying opportunities for investment
minded organizations including the Business attraction and economic diversification, primarily
Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of through initiatives such as expansion of the
Commerce, Western Roadbuilders and Heavy Cascadia Innovation Corridor to include Calgary
Construction and Canadian Construction and removing regulatory barriers to expand the
Association to support the dissemination of food processing industry in Alberta.
the upcoming trade infrastructure report. That
coalition is on stand-by for post-COVID release What we delivered
of the report. > Continued drive for profile, public engagement
and stakeholder reach via serving on the
> CPTPP infrastructure modelling was completed
board of directors of the Plant Protein Alliance
but is being updated with new CPTPP
of Alberta.
trade modelling data to provide a post-COVID
onset comparison. > Advocacy and briefing on the Cascadia Initiative
for provincial government, officials, MLAs and
What it means for Canada’s West investment attraction organizations.
Western Canada depends on exports even more
> Work on removing regulatory barriers to growing
than the rest of the country. Improving our ability to
the food processing industry has stalled due to
get goods to market is critical for the West. This is
difficulties gathering data and may be cancelled.
one area that requires greater federal government
attention and funding. CWF advocacy in partnership
What it means for Canada’s West
with other organizations is critical to ensure
Diversification means expansion of markets and
that this issue is not lost from the national agenda.
product portfolios. Whether it is plant protein,
greenhouses or sub-national competitiveness for
Still to come
investment attraction, evidence-based research
CWF will produce new, updated trade and
and analysis will identify new opportunities for
infrastructure impact modelling of CPTPP
Western Canadian trade and investment. Work
agreement post-COVID onset. We will also launch
done on engaging sub-nationally between
a public advocacy campaign for improving
Western Canada and Western-states is important
trade infrastructure and a potential second New
in addressing key trade issues. These efforts
West Partnership Trade Infrastructure Summit.
will facilitate economic growth of the West.
Other work
What we promised
A principal strength of the Trade & Investment
Centre is its ability to anticipate challenges
and opportunities that emerge unexpectedly for
Western Canada. In 2020, this included:
> Support for development of plant protein
and ingredient industry in Western Canada,
primarily through service on the board of
the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta and
collaboration with Protein Industries Canada.
10 CANADA WEST FOUNDATIONHuman
Capital
Centre
policy goal pan-canadian competency
frameworks
Skills and competencies What we promised
Our work on pan-Canadian competency
labour market information frameworks continues, including efforts to build
competency profiles of specific jobs in specific
What we promised
sectors and amalgamate them into more
The world of work is changing, and the most
comprehensive frameworks over time. In 2020,
in-demand skills and competencies are often
we will document what we have learned since
transferable between jobs. Many of the thousands
we published Matchup: A case for pan-Canadian
of people who were laid off from Canada’s oil
competency frameworks in 2017.
patch are now working in different sectors. Many
more could be if they and their potential employers
What we delivered
better understood how well their skills transfer.
Governments and organizations across the country
have used the ideas in Matchup to build their own
In 2020 we will examine the need for labour
frameworks, and expressed interest in the next
market information, including national occupation
phase of this work. COVID-19 delayed some of the
classifications, to better reflect the transferability
required employer input, but the update to Matchup
of skills in occupational profiles.
is planned for release in 2021. We also co-authored
an op-ed in the Calgary Herald that highlighted the
What we delivered
need for a competency framework for Calgary as a
While we were in the research phase of this work,
starting point for becoming a learning city.
the Labour Market Information Council received
$3 million to pilot the creation of an open cloud-
What it means for Canada’s West
based database to collect, store, organize and
Competency frameworks are a vital tool for
retrieve accurate and timely labour market
matching people with jobs and jobs with people.
information. This matches our recommendations
They are being developed by a variety of
to the federal government in 2018, when we
organizations including industry associations
recommended a methodology to update the
and post-secondary institutions. An architecture
Career Handbook; we will provide input to this
for these frameworks is the next step. Once built
project as appropriate.
and linked, these frameworks will make
matching people and jobs easier, in the West
What it means for Canada’s West
and across Canada.
This tool will help ease career transitions by aiding
unemployed workers to identify opportunities
Still to come
that closely align with their knowledge, skills and
Our architecture for competency frameworks
personal preferences.
developed through experience in a variety of
industry sectors will be published and widely
disseminated in 2021.
2020 REPORT CARD 11modular, stackable credentials digital skills
What we promised What we promised
In 2020, the Human Capital Centre will revisit Digital skills are critical for success in every sector
the issue of modular, stackable credentials for but for people living in rural and remote areas,
Canada’s trades, to better ensure apprentices building these skills and the creation of digital
have the skills they need to succeed in their opportunities presents a unique challenge. What
workplaces – and to be recognized for what they are the problems that need to be addressed and
know. We will look at the progress of Ontario, B.C. what are the lessons from economic development
and other jurisdictions move to modular, stackable strategies in other countries that can inform
competency-based training and assessment for decisions on policy and programming here?
their apprentices.
What we delivered
What we delivered Our report, Upgrade: Towards a Rural Digital
In the U.S., many states are expanding their Economic Strategy, was released in July 2020.
apprenticeship models to effectively develop Timely due to the pandemic, this report highlighted
skills, while England recently recommended more the importance of not just the connection to high-
value be placed on the apprenticeship system. The speed Internet, but also preparation for its arrival
Government of Alberta’s Skills for Jobs Taskforce in rural and remote communities. We highlighted
has submitted a report that recommends the rural, digital and economic strategies from around
system be expanded to go beyond the skilled the world and right next door to provide insight
trades. Our report is being revised to include into the way a digital strategy could be developed
these developments and will be released in 2021. for rural areas to ensure the equipment, skills and
We published op-eds on workforce renewal and leadership are in place to integrate the technology
expanding apprenticeships, and held an Arthur to locally needed services.
J.E. Child Pop Up Policy on New approaches to
integrate work and learning. What it means for Canada’s West
When information dissemination, learning, work,
What it means for Canada’s West health care and shopping went online due to
Employers in skilled construction, mechanical, COVID-19, people in rural and remote areas felt
automotive and personal service trades the lack of broadband connectivity most keenly.
understand apprenticeship, and have embraced it This report helps government leaders understand
as a way to develop their workforce. Broadening the types of policies needed to reduce the digital
the industry sectors in which apprenticeship is a divide that exists.
recognised workforce development tool requires
more involvement from employers not used to such Still to come
a high level of responsibility for employee training. In 2021, if funding permits, we will look at the
importance of leadership and organizational
Still to come culture in digital transformation, especially in
Recognizing that apprenticeship was the original the nonprofit sector.
form of work integrated learning (WIL), later in the
year we will look more closely at ways to develop
WIL opportunities for more learners.
12 CANADA WEST FOUNDATIONessential skills policy goal
What we promised
We will continue our advisory role with Employment
Reshaping the post-
and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) secondary education
committee working to renew the essential skills
framework with the inclusion of some soft skills.
system in Western Canada
What we delivered competency-based assessment
New skills have become critical as the economy and micro credentialing
has shifted to become more knowledge-based and
What we promised
the use of technology has increased. CWF was
Post-secondary institutions across the country
part of an ESDC advisory committee that made
are developing modular courses that meet the
the recommendation to incorporate creativity and
needs of employers and offer competency-based
innovation, collaboration and adaptability into the
assessment and micro credentialing to students.
new Skills for Success framework. We are also on
We will highlight best practices.
the team that is researching the best approaches
to measurement of these new skills. The federal
What we delivered
government will announce this new framework
As a partner in the Bridging the Gap project led
and tools to assist adult educators in 2021. We
by the Pivot-Ed team at Bow Valley College and
published op-eds on literacy and learning; we also
funded by the Future Skills Centre, we’ve promised
released Competency Frameworks and Canada’s
to contribute expertise and report on its innovative
Essential Skills.
approaches. Through the project, colleges across
Canada will: 1) work with employers to determine
What it means for Canada’s West
the exact competencies needed for jobs in which
When the federal government launches this
they experience shortages; 2) use AI to assess
framework, employers will have a method to
competencies in people interested in filling these
determine the most common cognitive, behavioural
roles; 3) award micro credentials for competencies
and social skills they need their employees
gained prior to the initial assessment, regardless
to have – and to what level. With these tools,
of how learned; 4) identify learning content to
employers will be able to assess current and
develop the specific competencies required; and
potential employees and make better training,
5) award micro credentials to potential workers
hiring and promotion decisions.
who have successfully completed competency-
based learning requirements. As with many
Still to come
field projects, COVID-19 restrictions have slowed
We will continue to offer expertise on this
progress. We continue work on this project.
advisory committee and will be ambassadors
for the framework.
What it means for Canada’s West
This project puts employer needs at the heart of
learning for specific jobs, provides learning
curated to meet competency requirements rapidly
and has the potential to help overcome skills
shortages quickly.
2020 REPORT CARD 13change in post-secondary education What we delivered
New statistics show a steady increase in STEM
What we promised
enrolments since the early 2000s, while growth
Post-secondary institutions in Western Canada
in the number of STEM jobs has slowed. In 2020,
face an increased focus on performance-based
we began our investigation of possible reasons.
funding, and an overall reduction in government
That work continues.
funding. The number of domestic undergraduate
students is decreasing, the number of international
What it means for Canada’s West
students may soon peak and there is a huge need
While the number of STEM graduates has
to offer solutions for mid-career professionals.
increased, employers consistently call for a blend
We will examine designs for a sustainable and
of competencies that includes skills such as
effective college and polytechnic sector that
collaboration and critical thinking associated with
meets the changing needs of students, builds the
liberal arts programs. There is also a need
competencies required by employers and respects
for graduates with interdisciplinary capacity such
taxpayer resources.
as engineering and computer science or biological
science and business.
What we delivered
COVID-19 has changed the way higher education
Still to come
is delivered. Some recommendations for a
A paper will examine the issue of the mismatch
redesign of the college sector that made sense
between STEM graduates and available jobs
early in 2020 would now be redundant. Our
and will make recommendations on how to get
research paused when the Government of Alberta
more STEM grads into the jobs for which they
contracted a McKinsey review of post-secondary
are training.
education in Alberta with a very similar goal.
Other work
What it means for Canada’s West
In September 2020 we published our inaugural
The results of the McKinsey study are due for
edition of The Future of Work and Learning Brief.
release. A new Post-Secondary Learning Act
This monthly brief highlights how education and
will be tabled soon.
training are changing today to build the skills and
competencies needed for the work of the future.
stem graduates
We published four editions in 2020.
What we promised
Statistics Canada reported in 2016 that only
47 per cent of Canada’s STEM bachelor’s degree
graduates and only 66 per cent of engineering
graduates worked in STEM fields. In 2020,
we will investigate potential reasons for the
underemployment of some of our most expensively
trained people, including what appears to be a
gap between what is taught and the competencies
required in the workforce.
14 CANADA WEST FOUNDATIONWe thank our supporters
CHAMPIONS ($50,000+) PATRONS ($25,000+) BUILDERS ($10,000+) MEMBERS
Arthur J.E. Child Foundation Alberta Real Estate Foundation Alberta Wheat Commission Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Endowment Fund at
CN ATCO ARC Financial
the Calgary Foundation
Energy Futures Lab/The Brookfield Institute Maurice Bundon
Cenovus
Natural Step Canada for Innovation and
Chevron Canada
Coril Holdings Entrepreneurship
Export Development Canada
C.P. Loewen Family Foundation
Enbridge Canpotex
Imperial
Dr. Audrey Doerr
Government of Alberta CAPP
Innovation Saskatchewan
Jim Dinning and Evelyn Main
Government of Canada, Hal Kvisle
Shell Canada
Essential Skills Initiative EPAC
Government of Canada,
S.M. Blair Family Foundation
Government of Canada, Trade Commissioner Service Glacier FarmMedia
Innovation, Science and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Martha Hall Findlay Government of Canada,
Economic Development
International Economic Policy
Ron Wallace
Government of Canada, Bureau, Global Affairs
Western Economic
Honey Bee Manufacturing Ltd.
Diversification
Edward and Stella Kennedy
Husky Energy
Rod McLennan, Q.C.
Max Bell Foundation
James A. Richardson
Ovintiv
Sask Heavy
Richardson Family
Construction Assoc.
Suncor
TELUS
Anonymous
Anonymous
Board of Directors
OFFICERS HONORARY CHAIR DIRECTORS
Raymond D. Crossley James K. Gray, O.C. Suzanne Anton, Q.C. Charles N. Loewen
Chair of the Board
Larry Blain Steve MacDonald
Gary G. Mar, Q.C.
R.W. (Dick) Carter Jack Mintz
President and CEO CHAIR EMERITUS
Raymond D. Crossley Doug Moen, Q.C.
R.W. (Dick) Carter James (Jim) Dinning, C.M.
Corporate Treasurer, SK Kevin Doherty Mariette Mulaire
Geoff Plant, Q.C.
Nancy Hopkins, Q.C. Dan Doyle Robin Silvester
Vice-Chair, SK
Diane Gray Paul Vogt
Charles N. Loewen
Nancy Hopkins, Q.C. Ron Wallace
Vice-Chair, MB
Edward S. Kennedy James Wilson
Robin Silvester
Vice-Chair, BC Brenda Kenny Deborah Yedlin
Ron Wallace Blair Lekstrom
Vice-Chair, ABYou can also read
