Photo: Contributed
City and regional officials cheer after the federal government selects Kelowna as one of the branches of the newly announced Pacific Economic Development Agency, also known as PacifiCan.
Mélanie Joly, who is the national minister for economic development and official languages, presented PacifiCan on Thursday morning in Surrey. She also announced the creation of Prairies Economic Development Canada, which will help with doing business in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
It is the first time in more than 30 years that the federal government has improved its presence and economic development services in Western Canada.
In addition to Kelowna, PacifiCan will have service locations in Victoria, Surrey, Campbell River, Prince Rupert, Fort St. John, Prince George and Cranbrook. It builds on Western Economic Diversification Canada, which has been around for 34 years and works closely with businesses, innovators and communities in British Columbia. Promoting connections and investments to promote economic growth; and assisting organizations in navigating federal programs and guidelines.
“As Canada’s most entrepreneurial region and leaders in economic recovery, Kelowna and Central Okanagan are a perfect fit for PacifiCan,” Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said in a press release.
“This new agency and branch will build on the existing dynamics in our economy and ultimately create a more meaningful engagement between regional companies and the federal government.”
The Central Okanagan Regional District Economic Recovery Task Force, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, UBC Okanagan, Accelerate Okanagan, and the region’s Chambers of Commerce campaigned for a branch in Central Okanagan last year.
“We are excited today to announce a PacifiCan office in Central Okanagan,” said RDCO Chair Gail Given. “The regional economic recovery task force has encouraged the federal government to recognize the economic strength of Central Okanagan by establishing a branch of the new agency in the region.
“We are delighted that Minister (Mélanie) Joly supported our proposal, as today’s announcement shows.”
Federal agencies announced their regional development plan in this year’s budget when they pledged $ 553.1 million for PacifiCan over a five-year period, starting in 2021-22, and $ 110.6 million on an ongoing basis.
The service locations in Kelowna and other BC communities will be launched over a period of months.
“British Columbia’s economy is growing and diversifying more and more every day and requires a tailored approach that takes into account their needs and capitalizes on their opportunities,” said Joly. “We are proud to be investing in the economic futures of innovators, businesses and communities across British Columbia by founding PacifiCan.
“WD has been doing a tremendous amount of work in the West for over 30 years and this is the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”
