Mandate and structure of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is the federal department that supports economic growth in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its programs and services help businesses, not-for-profits and communities grow stronger.

Mandate

PrairiesCan supports economic growth and diversification in the Prairie provinces and advances the interests of the region in national economic policy, programs, and projects through 4 key roles:

• Investor: create jobs and growth through strategic investments and targeted initiatives
• Convenor: connect economic actors to support collaboration and growth
• Advisor: inform economic decision-making and advocate for Prairie interests
• Pathfinder: help people navigate federal economic programs and services

Vision

PrairiesCan’s vision is to be a leader in creating a more diversified economy in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that has strong, competitive and innovative businesses and communities. 

Organization

The department operates under the provision of the Western Economic Diversification Act, which came into force on June 28, 1988. As a federal department, PrairiesCan is headed by a Minister and a Deputy Head (President).

• The Minister for Prairies Economic Development Canada is the Honourable Dan Vandal.
• The President is Diane Gray.

PrairiesCan’s head office is in Edmonton, Alberta. The department also has an office in Ottawa.

Programs and services

PrairiesCan administers a number of grants and contributions programs that enable the department to contribute strongly to the productivity and competitiveness in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

• Service locations
• Programs to grow the Prairies regional economy

Strategic priorities

PrairiesCan activities in 2023-24 will focus on 3 priorities:

• New Value and Competitiveness – accelerating economic growth through new sources of value and innovation in traditional sectors;
• Green Economy – enabling success in a net-zero future; and
• Inclusivity – fostering a more equitable and inclusive economy by supporting the economic participation of marginalized populations such as Indigenous Peoples, black Canadians, women, and youth.

Read more about PrairiesCan's priorities in our 2023-2024 Departmental Plan.

Future priorities will be informed by engagement with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba businesses, organizations and communities.

Legislation

The Western Economic Diversification Act governs budgets and activities. The Act seeks to boost and diversify the economy in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It also advances the interests of the Prairie economy when the Government of Canada creates national economic policy and runs its programs.

The Act requires the PrairiesCan Minister to fulfill 3 duties:

• Guide, promote and coordinate federal policies and programs that relate to Prairie region’s economy.
• Lead federal efforts to work closer on economic matters in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including:
  • provincial governments
  • business
  • labour
  • other public and private groups
• Compile data on all PrairiesCan’s programs and projects, in order to measure trends and progress

Values and standards

PrairiesCan employees care about people and about serving the best interests of its many clients. These 6 statements reflect PrairiesCan’s values. They were developed in the context of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service:

• We value, respect and care for one another and recognize that the success of PrairiesCan depends on the success of each and every one.
• We are committed to PrairiesCan’s mission and to serving and supporting the needs of our clients and partners in Alberta, Sasktachewan and Manitoba.
• We are a learning organization.
• We manage with integrity, honesty, accountability, equity, fairness, transparency and respect.
• We recognize that communication is the cornerstone of our work.
• We recognize and celebrate excellence and achievement, whether great or small, in all employees.

PrairiesCan employees are accountable for their actions. They know that for these statements to have meaning, each of them must hold the other accountable in a supportive manner. From these values, comes PrairiesCan’s commitment to provide you with quality service.

• PrairiesCan’s service standards