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.
PrairiesCan’s first year (length: 1:07)
Transcript: PrairiesCan’s first year
A person is seen opening a door and walking through.
Text on screen: One year ago, we became PrairiesCan.
The Calgary skyline is seen during sunset.
Text on screen: Our mission is to support economic growth
A woman engineer is seen working on a machine.
Text on screen: Innovation
A woman and her daughter are seen purchasing goods in a market.
Text on screen: And communities across the Prairies.
A group of young professionals are seen brainstorming solutions to a problem.
Text on screen: By finding paths to business goals
Professionals are seen handshaking.
Text on screen: Creating networks of like-minded people
A business leader is seen leading a meeting.
Text on screen: Providing expert advice
Indigenous people perform traditional dance at Manitoba festival.
Text on screen: And investing in the future of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
A woman is seen standing in a prairie with a clipboard.
Text on screen: We can proudly say we’re making a difference.
The Honourable Daniel Vandal is seen walking down an industrial hall with two women.
Text on screen: Over 462 million dollars invested
The Honourable Daniel Vandal is seen in a lab with a man and a woman.
Text on screen: Towards more than 1,250 projects
A man is seen in taking notes in a farm.
Text on screen: Expected to create over 9,500 new jobs
A woman is seen hanging an ‘Open’ sign in a window.
Text on screen: And maintain over 18,700 more.
An aerial view of an industrial city in the Prairies is seen.
Text on screen: We’re building the Prairies’ economy
A girl is seen walking towards solar panels in a prairie.
Text on screen: We’re working towards a clean energy future
A drone is seen flying over a field.
Text on screen: And we’re just getting started.
A team of professionals is seen engaging in a team cheer.
Text on screen: #ProudlyPrairiesCan.
The ‘Prairies Economic Development’ wordmark appears on screen.
The ‘Canada’ wordmark appears on screen.
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 (Interim 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.
Text description
To the side of the Minister is the Parliamentary Secretary. Below the Minister is the Deputy Minister. Below the Deputy Minister are the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Management and the following 4 Assistant Deputy Ministers:
- Policy and Strategic Direction
- Alberta
- Sasktchewan
- Manitoba
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 (coming soon)
- Programs to grow the Prairies regional economy
Strategic priorities
PrairiesCan activities in 2022-23 will focus on 3 priorities:
- Recovery: PrairiesCan will equip communities, businesses, and organizations for a successful post-pandemic economic recovery.
- Growth and Transformation: PrairiesCan will invest in projects and help businesses and communities to grow and develop capacity in emerging sectors such as clean technology, digital technology, value-added agriculture and precision healthcare.
- Inclusivity: PrairiesCan will help increase economic participation by Indigenous people, Black Canadians, women, and youth.
Read more about PrairiesCan's priorities in our 2022-2023 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.
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