3.1 – Introduction deck – Canada’s regional development agencies

• Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are federal government organizations that support economic growth in every region of the country.
• RDAs are a key federal presence in all regions of Canada. They invest in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and build trusting relationships in the communities they serve.
• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is one of seven RDAs across Canada.

Note: PacifiCan and PrairiesCan were created from the department of Western Economic Diversification Canada on August 6, 2021.

Mandate and expertise

RDAs play a key role in regional economic development and diversification, helping SMEs and communities to grow and thrive.

RDAs are:

• Grounded
  Source of on-the-ground experience, place-based intelligence, and advancing regional perspectives in Ottawa.
• Catalyzers
  Making targeted investments to accelerate SME growth in key regional industries.
• Trusted
  With headquarters in the regions they serve, relied upon and trusted by partners and stakeholders.
• Connectors
  Leveraging local relationships with government and stakeholders to take action.

National economy

A growing national economy relies on strong regional economies

The work of RDAs is to empower local businesses and communities to contribute to the national economy and support regional implementation of national priorities. Through this work, RDAs are adaptive to complex and evolving economic challenges.

Regional strengths

RDAs work across industries and geographies to seize on regional economic opportunities and bring regional perspectives to grow the national economy.

Local solutions

RDAs work on-the-ground with entrepreneurs, SMEs, not-for-profits, and communities to accelerate growth and build economic resilience.