Minister Vandal opens new PrairiesCan service location and announces federal investments in Manitoba’s Westman region

From: Prairies Economic Development Canada

News release

Over $3.6 million in investments for businesses and organizations in Western Manitoba

PrairiesCan’s newest service location will support region in building a strong, competitive Prairie economy

October 12, 2022 – Brandon, Manitoba – PrairiesCan

The Westman region is an economically diversified area of southwestern Manitoba. It includes vibrant education, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and petroleum industries as well as significant tourism opportunities as a beautiful region of the province. As such, the region is a major contributor to the overall prosperity of Manitoba. Prairie regions like Westman have unique needs and perspectives. The Government of Canada is continuing to enhance a community-based approach to economic development and is responding to the requests of business and community leaders for greater PrairiesCan presence in more places across the Prairies.

Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and Minister responsible CanNor Agency officially opened one of seven new PrairiesCan service locations. The new location in Brandon will bring a sharper focus to southwestern Manitoba’s unique economic development opportunities. It complements PrairiesCan’s long-standing Winnipeg office and new Thompson location, which opened in August to serve economic development needs in northern Manitoba.

This new approach is yielding results. While in Brandon, Minister Vandal announced PrairiesCan investments totalling more than $3.6 million for five projects in the region. Projects supported in this announcement include:

  • Assiniboine Community College received $2,200,000 to establish a Centre for Creative Media in Brandon to support digital industries in rural Manitoba.   
  • Power HV Inc. received $1,000,000 to increase high voltage bushing and bushing sensor production by introducing new equipment and hiring staff to augment the capacity of its existing manufacturing process.
  • Municipality of Oakland – Wawanesa received $75,429 to enhance green space and revitalize Riverbend Park in Wawanesa.
  • Municipality of Deloraine – Winchester received $178,875 to revitalize the downtown core of Deloraine.
  • Fern Valley Recreation Commission / Municipality of Grasslands received $151,745 to upgrade campground facilities at Whitewater Recreation Park in Elgin.

Today’s announcement marks a new chapter for PrairiesCan. Southwestern Manitoba is a key part of that new chapter. PrairiesCan will continue to serve as an investor, convener and pathfinder supporting businesses, innovation, and communities to build a strong, competitive Prairie economy that benefits everyone.

Quotes

“Southwestern Manitoba has a unique landscape, and is home to an array of business and economic opportunities. Our government is pleased to partner with the region to support growth and development, enhancing an already diversified regional economy and to provide programs and services tailored to the needs and opportunities of Southwestern Manitoba.”
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan

“We are very pleased to see a PrairiesCan office open in Brandon, Manitoba's second-largest city. It echoes the dual-city approach of both Saskatchewan having Saskatoon and Regina and Alberta with Edmonton and Calgary. It is a positive indication that the federal government recognizes Brandon as an important contributor and centre for Manitoba. On behalf of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, I would like welcome PrairiesCan to our business community.”
–Tanya LaBuick, President, Board of Directors, Brandon Chamber of Commerce

“The Westman region of Manitoba is full of economic opportunity. The new regional PrairiesCan office will enable community organizations throughout the region to be closer to programs and resources and reach as many of these opportunities as possible. We are excited to continue connecting and building the communities we service with PrairiesCan in Brandon and the Westman region.”
–Bill Hogan, Executive Director, Community Futures Westman

Quick facts

  • In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada provided funding for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) to transition into two new Regional Development Agencies – Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) – serving the Prairies, and Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) – serving British Columbia. 

  • In August 2021, the Government of Canada officially launched Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) and announced the opening of seven new service locations across the Prairies:  Lethbridge, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie in Alberta; Regina and Prince Albert in Saskatchewan; and Brandon and Thompson in Manitoba.

  • These seven new service locations are in addition to PrairiesCan headquarters in Edmonton, and offices in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Ottawa, and including the expansion of our Calgary satellite office. These new offices will significantly extend our reach to better service our clients.

  • This enhanced community-based approach addresses the specific circumstances and needs of these communities and their surrounding regions, and includes a range of local organizations from different sectors as active participants in economic development.

  • The Brandon service location is at Unit B – 940 Princess Avenue.

  • PrairiesCan administers the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) in Manitoba. The CCRF is helping communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national allocation of $500 million over two years, the Fund's purpose is to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, public institutions, and Indigenous communities on the road to economic recovery.

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Associated links

Contacts

Kyle Allen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Kyle.Allen@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Amanda Houssin
A/Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations
Prairies Economic Development Canada
Amanda.Houssin@prairiescan.gc.ca

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Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
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