On July 29, 2015, Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification announced $1.8 million in funding for a collaborative new project to support research and development in various sectors, starting with the energy sector. Initiated by Western Economic Diversification in January 2014, the University of Manitoba will lead the development and formalization of the Western Canadian Innovation Offices (WCIO), a consortium of universities, including the U of R, colleges, polytechnics and other research based organizations in western Canada. Their mandate will be to work collaboratively together and with industry to carry out research that addresses industry needs, builds a more entrepreneurial culture, commercializes technologies, and creates jobs and improves economic performance in Western Canada.