Mandate and structure of PacifiCan

PacifiCan is the federal agency that supports economic growth in British Columbia. Its programs and services help businesses, not-for-profits and communities grow stronger.

Mandate

Support the growth and diversification of British Columbia’s economy and advance the interests of the region in national economic policy, programs and projects.

Vision

Partner with British Columbian businesses and organizations to create a more diversified economy driven by strong, competitive and innovative local businesses and thriving communities.

Organization

The Agency operates under the provision of the Western Economic Diversification (WD) Act, which came into force on June 28, 1988. As a federal agency, PacifiCan is headed by a Minister and a Deputy Head (President).

• The Minister for Pacific Economic Development Canada is the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan.
• The President is Dylan Jones.

PacifiCan has offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will establish headquarters in Surrey. To better serve British Columbians, new office locations recently opened in Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Prince Rupert and Campbell River, and a liaison office in Ottawa.

Programs and services

PacifiCan administers a number of grants and contributions programs that enable the agency to contribute strongly to the productivity and competitiveness in British Columbia.

• PacifiCan offices near you
• Programs to grow British Columbia’s economy

Strategic priorities

PacifiCan activities in 2023-24 will focus on two priorities:

• Cluster Growth: PacifiCan will make strategic investments to advance selected clusters in British Columbia.
• Inclusiveness: PacifiCan will help to increase economic participation by Indigenous peoples, women and youth.

Read more about PacifiCan’s priorities in its 2023-2024 Departmental Plan.

Future priorities will be informed by engagement with BC businesses, organizations and communities.

Legislation

The Western Economic Diversification Act governs budgets and activities. The Act seeks to boost and diversify the economy in British Columbia. It also advances the interests of British Columbians when the Government of Canada creates national economic policy and runs its programs.

The Act requires the PacifiCan Minister to fulfill 3 duties:

• Guide, promote and coordinate federal policies and programs that relate to British Columbia’s economy.
• Lead federal efforts to work closer on economic matters in British Columbia, including:
  • provincial governments
  • business
  • labour
  • other public and private groups
• Compile data on all PacifiCan’s programs and projects, in order to measure trends and progress

Values and standards

PacifiCan employees care about people and about serving the best interests of its many clients. These 6 statements reflect PacifiCan’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 PacifiCan depends on the success of each and every one.
• We are committed to PacifiCan’s mission and to serving and supporting the needs of our clients and partners in British Columbia.
• 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.

PacifiCan 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 PacifiCan’s commitment to provide you with quality service.

•  PacifiCan’s service standards