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| Développement économique Canada | |
|---|---|
| Name | Développement économique Canada |
| Native name | Développement économique Canada pour les régions du Canada |
| Formed | 1993 |
| Preceding1 | Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Headquarters | Moncton, New Brunswick |
| Minister | Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
| Chief1 name | President |
| Parent agency | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |
Développement économique Canada is a federal agency focused on regional economic development, innovation, and business growth in Canadian regions. It operates within the framework of federal policy instruments and intergovernmental programs to support small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure projects, and community economic development. The agency engages with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous governments, and industry stakeholders to deliver targeted interventions across Atlantic Canada and other designated regions.
The mandate centers on regional competitiveness, job creation, and innovation through programmes that support small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development projects, and community economic diversification. It implements federal strategies articulated by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Cabinet of Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to align regional priorities with national objectives. The agency liaises with provincial ministries such as New Brunswick Department of Economic Development and Government of Nova Scotia portfolios, with strategic partners including the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, and regional development agencies like FedDev Ontario and Western Economic Diversification Canada. It also engages with Indigenous organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for inclusive economic participation.
The agency traces origins to federal regional development initiatives after the 1970s oil crisis and the creation of earlier regional bodies like the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. It was shaped by policy shifts under successive prime ministers including Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, and budgetary reforms during the 1995 Canadian federal budget era. Legislative and programmatic changes occurred alongside national accords such as the Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement, influencing regional industrial strategies. The agency adapted through economic shocks including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding supports paralleling measures by Public Health Agency of Canada and emergency fiscal packages announced by Department of Finance (Canada).
Governance is overseen by a presidential executive reporting to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and accountable to Parliament through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The organizational structure includes regional offices, program delivery branches, policy units, and audit functions aligned with standards from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. External oversight involves auditing by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and evaluations by the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The agency coordinates with federal departments like Employment and Social Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and Crown corporations such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Programs cover business financing, innovation support, cluster development, and community infrastructure. Instruments include repayable contributions, grants, and technical assistance working with partners like Community Futures Network of Canada, Mitacs, and regional innovation hubs. Sectoral initiatives target fisheries linked to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, clean technology in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, and tourism with Parks Canada. The agency participates in national programs such as the Strategic Innovation Fund and regional adaptations of the Canada Small Business Financing Program. It also funds local projects through agreements with municipal entities like City of Moncton and institutions including Université de Moncton.
Funding mechanisms include federal appropriations approved in budgets presented by the Minister of Finance (Canada), program-specific envelopes, and financial instruments leveraging private capital alongside entities like BDC Capital and provincial crown corporations. Investment decisions follow policies informed by Privy Council Office priorities, cost–benefit frameworks, and risk assessments conducted under Treasury Board policies. Major funded projects have involved infrastructure under the Investing in Canada Plan and innovation scale-up supported via partnership with Business Development Bank of Canada and venture ecosystems anchored by universities such as Dalhousie University.
The agency operates through bilateral agreements with provincial governments including Government of Prince Edward Island, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Government of New Brunswick, and coordinates with regional development organizations like Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. It forges partnerships with industry associations such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, labour groups represented by the Canadian Labour Congress, and philanthropic actors like the Atkinson Foundation. Intergovernmental collaboration follows frameworks established in accords like the Council of the Federation and federal–provincial fiscal arrangements handled by the Department of Finance (Canada).
Performance evaluation uses metrics aligned with Treasury Board results frameworks and independent audits by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Impact studies often reference outcomes in employment, productivity, and innovation diffusion measured against benchmarks from Statistics agencies like Statistics Canada and analyses by think tanks such as the C.D. Howe Institute and Conference Board of Canada. Evaluations consider case studies from projects in sectors tied to Atlantic Fisheries and clean energy transitions linked to Canada Energy Regulator data, informing policy adjustments and program redesigns presented to Parliament and stakeholders.