Our agency

PacifiCan's mandate

We support the growth and diversification of British Columbia’s economy and advance the interests of the region in
national economic policy, programs and projects.

Vision

Our vision is enduring prosperity for all British Columbians.

Organization

The Agency operates under the provision of the Western Economic Diversification Act, which came into force on June 28, 1988. As a federal agency, PacifiCan is headed by a minister and a deputy head (president).

The Minister for Pacific Economic Development Canada is the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan.
The Acting President of PacifiCan is Naina Sloan.

To serve British Columbians, PacifiCan has offices across B.C. in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert and Campbell River. PacifiCan also has a liaison office in Ottawa and will soon establish a headquarters in Surrey.

Strategic goals

PacifiCan will achieve its vision by advancing four goals:

Quality jobs Help job creators and the organizations that support them to create the quality jobs that British Columbians need.
Competitive industry clusters Support clusters of companies and other organizations who work together to deliver reduced costs, deepen talent pools, create innovation, and increase productivity.
Globally successful businesses Support businesses to accelerate their growth and expand to new markets.
Inclusive growth Increase economic participation for all British Columbians, including Indigenous peoples, women, youth, and other underrepresented groups.

Departmental plans and results

Our Departmental Plan (2024-2025) lays out our plans for supporting and investing in small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as their communities. Our approach is centered around fostering innovation, establishing partnerships, promoting business growth, strengthening communities, and ensuring inclusion of opportunity. We are committed to amplifying the strengths, resilience, innovation, and tenacity of British Columbians.

Our Department Results Report (2022-2023) is an account of actual performance for the most recently completed fiscal year, against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in our Departmental Plan.

Our first Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (2023-2027) outlines our actions to advance the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy.

Find more plans and results

Programs and services

PacifiCan delivers several funding programs that help advance the diverse economic interests across British Columbia.

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