People of PacifiCan: Steve Perrault

As a Senior Business Officer for one of PacifiCan’s new Vancouver Island and the Coast regional offices, Steve will combine his passion for the great outdoors with a fulfilling career that has taken him across the province. 

How did you arrive at PacifiCan?

I started my federal public service career with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) in 2000. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work as a Business Advisor, Trainer and later as a Project Development Officer. With the diversity of work, challenges, opportunities and people I have had the pleasure of working on and with over the years,
I have always found the work engaging and rewarding.

What interested you about PacifiCan?

To me, PacifiCan offers the same work dynamic as I found with WD, its predecessor, but with the ability to focus more fulsomely on my home – the Province of British Columbia, and more specifically Vancouver Island. My “roots” are on Vancouver Island. My new role with PacifiCan allows me to focus my energies to work even more effectively in the Region.

What do you do in a typical day?

A typical day will involve a mix of: working on and monitoring existing projects PacifiCan has funded; assessing new project concepts and applications for potential; providing advice, guidance and/or pathfinding to businesses and organizations; and meeting with other economic development stakeholders in the region to explore/develop opportunities to partner in community economic development support efforts.

What do you find most rewarding about your work? 

Over the years, I have found the work we do to be “on the ground and relevant.” I can drive all over this province and see projects I had a hand in supporting towards success, or meet with people who still express their appreciation for the partnership of PacifiCan in the community. Many of these people I still call friends. I think those rewards might be unique (or rare) within the federal family.

What makes the Vancouver Island and Coast special? 

The amazing diversity – geographically, demographically and economically – makes this region endlessly fascinating.
The people, in particular, bring creativity, energy and experience to a wide variety of applications, including business (wearing my PacifiCan hat here…).  

Any advice you have for people who may want to join PacifiCan?
Join us with an expectation to work hard, and you’ll have an opportunity to make a difference. You’ll never be bored.

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