PacifiCan Investment Announced to Support B.C. Businesses in Trade and Export
On July 16, 2025, in Kelowna, British Columbia, the Government of Canada, through Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced a $2.5 million investment to support companies across B.C. in expanding to new markets and managing trade challenges, such as tariffs. This investment highlights PacifiCan’s ongoing economic development efforts in the province, particularly within the Southern Interior region.
Kelowna, recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities with a diverse and entrepreneurial economy, has been a key beneficiary of PacifiCan’s initiatives. Since 2021, the agency has invested over $47 million in 156 projects across the Southern Interior, including more than $28 million in 65 projects located in Kelowna and surrounding Thompson-Okanagan communities. These investments have bolstered sectors such as technology, tourism, and manufacturing.
The new funding includes $1.2 million for Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) to continue delivering the Export Navigator program. This initiative helps businesses across the province prepare for export by pairing them with expert advisors. To date, Export Navigator has supported over 1,200 businesses, including 280 in the Thompson-Okanagan region. The program also received an additional $1.2 million in support from the Province of British Columbia.
The remaining $1.3 million in federal funds will be allocated to two initiatives focused on helping B.C. businesses adapt to new trade regulations and capitalize on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). CFBC will receive $900,000 to launch the CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI), which will offer expert guidance and up to $5,000 in cost assistance to help companies meet compliance requirements. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) will receive $380,500 to conduct CUSMA-focused educational sessions—both online and in-person—across six B.C. communities.
These efforts aim to support businesses in navigating trade requirements and expanding into North American markets. With the U.S. accounting for over 57% of B.C.’s exports in 2022, ensuring compliance with CUSMA rules is essential for tariff reduction and access to the U.S. and Mexican markets.
Since 2019, PacifiCan and its predecessor, Western Economic Diversification Canada, have invested $4.8 million into the Export Navigator program to build export capacity among B.C. businesses. Earlier in March 2025, PacifiCan also provided $500,000 to help GVBOT launch the Trade Accelerator Program, supporting additional export development strategies.
Community Futures British Columbia, part of PacifiCan’s Pacific Business Services Network, operates 34 non-profit offices that assist rural communities in fostering economic growth throughout the province. These combined efforts reflect a coordinated approach to strengthening trade and export opportunities for businesses in British Columbia.
