Canada. Dept. of Regional Industrial Expansion : On 7 December 1983, the Departments of Regional Economic Expansion (DREE) and Industry, Trade and Commerce (ITC) were officially amalgamated to form the Department of Regional Industrial Expansion (DRIE) under Part II of the Government Organization Act (29-30-31-32 Eliz. II, c.167).
This new department, mandated to increase economic prosperity by promoting productive investments in industrial development and renewal in all regions of Canada, provided a regionally balanced national focus to the Federal Government's industrial development policies and programs. It encouraged investment in viable industrial undertakings in manufacturing, resource processing and related service industries, tourism and small business. Further, DRIE encouraged a business environment in which Canadian firms were helped to increase their international competitiveness. Partnership with industry was fundamental to DRIE in fulfilling its mandate. Interaction with the private sector involved all phases of the department's activities, from the development of policies and strategies to program delivery. This link to the private sector was maintained through liaison with firms and associations, and through policy and business information sessions, as well as through industryégovernment committees and task forces.
Soon after the establishment of DRIE, Parliament passed legislation creating the department's Industrial and Regional Development Program (IRDP), a "regional fund" which served as "an additional means of supporting special initiatives to promote economic development in the regions when requirements went beyond those that could be met through the program tailoring process." The fund was created from the resources freed up as existing subsidiary agreements to the General Development Agreements (GDAs) expired. "Thus the fund would be supported from DREE's unallocated budget, which prompted the government to declare that `the establishment of this Fund underlines that monies devoted to regional purposes will be no less than at present.' " The IRDP legislation consolidated into a single package, elements of seven former DREE and ITC programs.
The reorganization into DRIE saw the Ottawa office organized into six units--Capital and Industrial Goods; Consumer Goods, Services and Resource Processing; Policy; Small Business and Special Projects; the Comptroller; and Tourism--each under the direction of an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) or equivalent plus five service units-Human Resources; Communications, Internal Audit; Legal Services; and Corporate Coordination Bureau. Regional and district offices, headed by Regional Executive Directors, were established in each province and territory to ensure local sensitivity in program delivery and development.
The department was built on four line functions: the existing ITC industry sector branches; administration of the various incentive programs; regional planning and operations; and the Canadian Government Office of Tourism. The main vehicles for DRIEs direct funded assistance were the Economic and Regional Development Agreements (ERDAs), Defence Industries Productivity Programme (DIPP), the Small Business Loans Act (SBLA), and the Industrial and Regional Development Program (IRDP). Other programs included Program for Export Market Development (PEMD), Special ARDA (Agricultural and Rural Development Act), Native Economic Development Program (NEEDP), Industry and Labour Adjustment Program (ILAP), and Shipbuilding Industry Assistance Program (SIAP).
In 1984, offices of the Federal Economic Development Coordinators (FEDCs) were transferred from the Ministry of State for Economic and Regional Development (MSERD) to DRIE, as well as some powers from the Ministry of State for Social Development (MSSD). However, less than 5 years after its creation, the breakup of DRIE began. The beginning of the end for DRIE came when the government announced the establishment of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to address regional development in that region. Soon after, the Department of Western Economic Diversification (WED) was announced, as well as plans for the creation of the new Department of Industry Science and Technology (IST). In 1987 the FEDCs were transferred from DRIE to WED and ACOA. And 1989 saw the transfer of the Ontario FEDCs to the Federal-Provincial Relations Office. Then, in 1990, DRIE was absorbed by the new Department of Industry, Science and Technology (SC 1990, c.1). The Department of Regional Industrial Expansion Act was also repealed.
Ministers of DRIE included, E.C. Lumley (December 1983-September 1984), S.M. Stevens (September 1984-May 1986), D.F. Mazankowski (May 1986-June 1986), M. Côté (June 1986- August 1987), R.R. de Cotret (August 1987-January 1989), and H. André (January 1989- February 1990).
