Economic Development Initiative (EDI) in the Prairie provinces

The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides financial support to projects that encourage economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small and medium-sized enterprises in official language minority communities (OLMCs).

Investing in our future

In April 2023, the Government of Canada announced its Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration. The Plan comes with a budget of $4.1 billion over 5 years, the largest amount ever provided by a government in the area of official languages, allocated among 15 federal departments and agencies

• News release: Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: A historic federal investment in official languages

PrairiesCan, along with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the other regional development agencies, delivers the EDI.

PrairiesCan is investing $3.2 million through the EDI over 5 years for projects that help develop capacities, expertise and partnerships. All projects are for economic development of businesses and communities, and the sustainable growth of Francophone communities in the Prairies.

How to apply for the EDI

We are delivering the EDI through the Fonds de développement économique francophone de l’Ouest canadien (FDEFO). The 3 Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) in Western Canada are managing this fund.

If you have a project idea and would like to submit an application, please contact your local Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) or email: fdefp@parallele-ab.ca

The eligibility criteria are:

• Applicant(s) must work in French and contribute to the development and vitality of the Prairie province’s Francophonie.
• Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

Projects funded under the program may be local, provincial or interprovincial in scope. They must demonstrate a real impact with clear and measurable benefits in at least one of the following sectors:

• economic diversification and development, including trade and investment
• economic immigration
• the green economy
• youth
• tourism

Examples of approved EDI projects

EDI projects funded in the Prairie Provinces include:

Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum

• Contribution: $50,000
• The Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum of Winnipeg received funding to create a virtual and mobile exhibit to reach a new audience and promote the francophone community. The physical space inside the museum is closed for renovations.

Regional association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA) of Bonnyville-Cold Lake

• Contribution: $55,000
• The Regional ACFA of Bonnyville-Cold Lake received funding to attract francophone tourists in their region, focusing on cultural and artisanal tourism, and with the development of a bilingual tourism route.

Association Jeunesse Fransaskoise

• Contribution: $40,000
• Association Jeunesse Fransaskoise of Saskatoon received funding to buy the necessary equipment to better train the francophone youth of the province in a variety of subjects including digital media and event planning.

La Broquerie Markets

• Contribution: $35,000
• La Broquerie Markets in Manitoba received funding to upgrade its infrastructure and activities to attract more visitors to its bilingual markets, showcasing agricultural and artisanal products.

L’Alliance Jeunesse-Famille de l’Alberta Society (AJFAS) : Connection Entrepreneuriat pour les Communautés Noires

• Contribution of $32,000
• Project description: Help Black Francophone entrepreneurs access Francophone business networks. Also create a sewing cooperative of Black Francophone women to help them develop professional opportunities.

CDC Ptite Fourche

• Contribution of 40,000
• Project description: Develop a provincial historic ecotourism site in the rural municipality of Ellice-Archie, Manitoba, based on the natural strengths of the Francophone and Métis community of Saint-Lazare and its fur trade history.

Centre collégial de l’Alberta

• Contribution of $30,000
• Project description: Establish a continuing education platform for entrepreneurs and create a mentoring program for youth in business administration.

Centre francophone BDS Inc.

• Contribution of $50,000
• Project description: Repair the "piste de la légende de Bellevue" and replace the signage. This project will secure a meeting place for the local Francophone community and improve tourism in Saskatchewan.

CDI Ste-Agathe

• Contribution of $45,000
• Project description: Create a boat ramp to offer better access to the Red River in Ste. Agathe, Manitoba. This new access will offer Francophone communities in the vicinity the opportunity to increase river usage and develop more recreation and tourism opportunities.

Le Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta

• Contribution of $448,929
• Project description: Establish physical and virtual business incubators to support pan-western Francophone entrepreneurs.

L’Université de Saint-Boniface

• Ccontribution of $301,200
• Project description: Develop and deliver French-language post-graduate courses in manitoba on inclusive education online.

University of Regina – Cite Universitaire Francophone

• Contribution of $135,785
• Project description: Acquire equipment and resources for a French-language Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Saskatchewan. Read more about the French-language Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Eco-Ouest (Le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba)

• Contribution of $960,000
• Project description: Promote sustainable growth and strengthen the competitiveness of rural communities and OLMCs in the West. Read more about how CDEM is supporting Manitoba’s bilingual communities.