The three Francophone economic development organizations in the Prairies, namely Parallèle Alberta , the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) and the Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS), are collaborating on the funding of the "Prairie Francophone Economic Development Fund – FDÉFP" program for the year 2026-2027.
© Economic Development Council for Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba
The Francophone Prairie Economic Development Fund (FPEDF) is a program administered by PrairiesCan as part of the Economic Development Initiative (EDI). Designed to address the specific realities and needs of Francophone communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the FPEDF aims to stimulate inclusive economic growth by focusing on the development of Francophone tourism, strengthening interprovincial and international trade, attracting Francophone economic immigration, and developing community capacity and leadership across the Prairies.
"Francophone communities are at the heart of the Prairie economy and play a vital role in the region's strength, resilience, and growth. Our government is proud to invest $1.2 million in the Economic Development Council of Manitoba's Bilingual Municipalities for the Francophone Economic Development Fund in the Prairies, as part of the Economic Development Initiative. Francophone communities are a vital pillar of Manitoba and Canada, and we are committed to supporting their economic growth," commented The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for the Prairies
© Economic Development Council for Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba
"As a proud Franco-Manitoban, I know that Francophone communities are an essential part of the Prairie economy, driven by deep creativity, a great capacity for innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Supporting entrepreneurs and community organizations means giving free rein to new ideas, strengthening resilience, and helping these communities grow and thrive. Our government is proud to invest in this future," said Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface–Saint-Vital, Manitoba
"In the context of the CDEM's 30th anniversary, we have chosen to support structuring projects and flagship initiatives that are essential to Francophone economic development in Manitoba. The Francophone Prairie Economic Development Fund (FDÉFP) plays a key role in this regard: it has contributed significantly to strengthening the Francophone economy, both in rural and urban areas. We thank the Government of Canada and PrairiesCan for their crucial support of the sustainable economic development of Francophone communities in the Prairies," stated Madeleine Arbez, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council for Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba (CDEM).
Source: CDEM
