2023-2024 Departmental Results Report – Details on transfer payment programs
Community Futures (CF) Program
Start date: May 18, 1995 (The Program started in 1986 and was previously delivered by Human Resources Development Canada. From August 6, 2021, Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) continued to deliver CF in British Columbia).
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-11
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Business Services
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The CF Program was designed to help communities develop and implement local solutions to local problems. The program provides financial support to CF organizations, which are incorporated, not-for-profit organizations. CFs provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and undertake community economic development initiatives.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's Departmental Results Framework (DRF).
Key results include:
- Based on the latest available data from Statistics Canada, British Columbian firms that accessed lending services through the PacifiCan-funded CF program saw a decrease in their sales by five percent and a decrease in their employment growth by five percent annually from 2016 to 2021 due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- CFs provided 606 loans to rural businesses with a value of $36.6 million that leveraged an additional $28.6 million. CFs provided 19,181 business advisory services and created, maintained or expanded 1,836 jobs through lending.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document and supplementary information on PacifiCan's Program Inventory.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: Prior to the restructuring of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) into Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) and PacifiCan on August 6, 2021, WD’s internal audit function had been transferred to the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by the OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: The last evaluation for the CF Program was completed in 2019-20. A national and PacifiCan regional evaluation of the CF program are in progress and will be completed by March 2025.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: Eligible applicants for the CF Program are the CF Organizations. PacifiCan has a long-standing strategy of engaging with these organizations to build awareness of PacifiCan's programs among prospective proponents.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 6,133,274 | 9,736,132 | 10,488,454 | 11,186,211 | 11,186,211 | 697,757 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 6,133,274 | 9,736,132 | 10,488,454 | 11,186,211 | 11,186,211 | 697,757 |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in the CF increased due to payment timing differences made to support network partners.
Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI)
Start date: October 18, 2018 (Originally delivered by WD in British Columbia until August 5, 2021. From August 6, 2021, PacifiCan continued to deliver REGI in British Columbia.)
End date:
REGI: Ongoing
Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund: March 31, 2023
Type of transfer payment:
REGI: Grant and Contribution
WES: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Innovation, Business Growth
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The REGI Initiative builds on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan. The goal of REGI is to provide streamlined, nationally coordinated, regionally tailored support for business productivity and scale-up, particularly for SMEs, women and Indigenous entrepreneurs, and other underrepresented groups. REGI assists in the enhancement of regional industrial and technology clusters and regional innovation ecosystems. The program provides assistance through two new program streams:
- Business Scale-up and Productivity Stream (BSP): Funding offered under this stream supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services, or technologies. It offers interest free repayable funding to incorporated businesses.
- Regional Innovation Ecosystems Stream (RIE): Create, grow, and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth, and competitiveness.
WES Ecosystem Fund is a five-year program to help non-profit, third-party organizations deliver support for women entrepreneurs and to address gaps in the ecosystem.
Contributions under REGI may be unconditionally or conditionally repayable, or non-repayable. Contributions issued under the WES are non-repayable only.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, and data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results for all programs operating under the REGI Terms and Conditions include:
- 2,172 jobs created (including 1,502 highly qualified personnel (HQP) jobs);
- $1.399 billion in export sales growth;
- $43.5 million in business sales growth resulting from commercialization; and,
- 699 businesses created, maintained, or expanded.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document and supplementary information on PacifiCan's Program Inventory.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: Prior to the restructuring of WD into PrairiesCan and PacifiCan on August 6, 2021, WD’s internal audit function had been transferred to the OCG Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by the OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: A national evaluation of REGI was completed in 2023-24. The evaluation found that REGI is a necessary program that responds to the needs of, and helps grow, Canadian businesses and communities. An evaluation of WES is underway and is set to be completed in 2024-25.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: The REGI BSP stream was delivered through call for proposals process. The REGI RIE stream was delivered through continuous intake process. The WES Ecosystem Fund was delivered through call for proposals process. Potential applicants and stakeholders for all programs were engaged through active outreach, media strategies and/or information provided on PacifiCan's public website.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 83,726,318 | 72,533,305 | 48,936,376 | 111,615,435 | 107,486,093 | 58,549,717 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 83,726,318 | 72,533,305 | 48,936,376 | 111,615,435 | 107,486,093 | 58,549,717 |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in REGI increased as a result of additional funds to support SMEs under the BSP and RIE streams.
Western Diversification Program (WDP)
Start date: December 3, 1987 (Originally delivered by WD in British Columbia until August 5, 2021. From August 6, 2021, PacifiCan continued to deliver WDP in British Columbia.)
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2018-19
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses, Communities, Technologies
Link to the department’s program inventory: Innovation, Business Growth, Business Services, Community Initiatives
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The WDP contributes to the agency’s mandate to promote economic development and diversification in western Canada and advance the West’s interests in national policy, program and project development and implementation. Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable; contributions to western Canadian commercial projects or for-profit organizations may be repayable.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, and data sources to capture results achieved under the PacifiCan’s DRF.
Key results include:
- 3,012 jobs created (including 607 HQP jobs);
- $291,135 in export sales growth;
- $196,869 in business sales growth resulting from commercialization; and,
- $118.4 million in incremental private sector investment attracted.
For more information on results achieved, see the “Results: what we achieved” section in the main document and supplementary information on PacifiCan’s Program Inventory.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: Prior to the restructuring of WD into PrairiesCan and PacifiCan on August 6, 2021, WD’s internal audit function had been transferred to the OCG. Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by the OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: There were no evaluations of the WDP completed in 2023-24.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: The WDP is delivered through a continuous intake process. Potential applicants and stakeholders were engaged through active outreach, media strategies and/or information provided on PacifiCan’s public website.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 640,584 | 0 | 0 | (640,584) |
| Total contributions | 66,308,835 | 111,576,829 | 76,579,182 | 37,477,685 | 34,331,144 | (42,248,038) |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 66,308,835 | 111,576,829 | 77,219,766 | 37,477,685 | 34,331,144 | (42,888,622) |
Explanation of variances
The variance noted is attributable to a decrease in WDP spending due to the sun-setting of the time-limited programs announced in Budget 2021.
Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI)
Start date: 1995
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Link to departmental result(s): Businesses
Link to the department’s program inventory: Business Services
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The WEI provides supports to assist women entrepreneurs to start, scale-up and grow their businesses. It provides services to help women entrepreneurs develop the experience, expertise, assets, and credit record that would enable them to increase both the number and strength of women-owned businesses in British Columbia. It also increases the availability of capital to women-owned enterprises.
Results achieved: PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results include:
- 22 client loans with a value of $1.15 million;
- 5,071 business advisory services;
- 62 jobs created, maintained, or expanded through lending.
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document and supplementary information on PacifiCan's Program Inventory.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: Prior to the restructuring of WD into PrairiesCan and PacifiCan on August 6, 2021, WD’s internal audit function had been transferred to OCG. Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by the OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: Not applicable.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: Not applicable.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 568,750 | 893,750 | 975,000 | 1,056,250 | 1,056,250 | 81,250 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 568,750 | 893,750 | 975,000 | 1,056,250 | 1,056,250 | 81,250 |
Explanation of variances
Actual spending in the WEI increased due to payment timing differences made to support network partners.
Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild (LHRR) Program and Lytton Business Restart (LBR) Program
Start date: 2023
End date: Anticipated 2024-25
Type of transfer payment: Grant and Contribution
Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022-23
Link to departmental result(s): Communities
Link to the department’s program inventory: Community Initiatives
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild (LHRR) Program and the Lytton Business Restart (LBR) Program supports the rebuild and economic recovery of the Village of Lytton, which that was destroyed by a wildfire on June 30, 2021.
- The LHRR supports eligible homeowners who rebuild to fire-resilient, or fire-resilient and net-zero ready or net-zero standards, as defined by the program.
- The LBR supports eligible businesses reestablish in the community and contribute to Lytton’s economic recovery including those owned and operated by Indigenous peoples, women, youth and other underrepresented groups.
Results achieved:
PacifiCan has developed a Performance Measurement Framework that includes performance indicators, expected results, data sources to capture results achieved under PacifiCan's DRF.
Key results include:
- LBR program opened applications in 2023-24. Through this $7.2 million program, PacifiCan will provide funding to eligible small businesses who will operate in the community of Lytton.
- PacifiCan invested more than $275,000 through the LHRR program to support homeowners rebuild resilient homes.
- PacifiCan, working with its partners, convened community and builder engagement that helped increase the availability of Net Zero Builders to rebuild Lytton (from zero to 14).
For more information on results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved:" section in the main document and supplementary information on PacifiCan's Program Inventory.
Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: Prior to the restructuring of WD into PrairiesCan and PacifiCan on August 6, 2021, WD’s internal audit function had been transferred to the OCG Since August 6, 2021, PacifiCan has conducted Core Control Audits self-assessments as directed by the OCG.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: Not applicable.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: PacifiCan engaged local government and community leaders to solicit perspectives on the final LBR program design and led engagement with businesses and the community to increase availability of Net Zero Builders to rebuild Lytton.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 2,443,364 | 4,953,056 | 5,000 | (2,438,364) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 2,940,959 | 5,961,490 | 0 | (2,940,959) |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 0 | 5,384,323 | 10,914,546 | 5,000 | (5,379,323) |
Explanation of variances
Complexities in the LHRR program and the LBR program resulted in both programs being extended.
Page details
- Date modified: