Canada's Regional Development Agencies

Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDA) work closely with businesses and innovators in their regions to fuel economic growth that creates more well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians.

Canada's regional development agencies (RDA) are a key part of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, advancing and diversifying our regional economies and helping communities thrive. There are seven RDAs across Canada:

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Helping businesses in Atlantic Canada to become more competitive, innovative and productive.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Guiding Quebec businesses and regions toward the economy of tomorrow.

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Helping to develop a diversified, sustainable, and dynamic economy across Canada's three territories.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Programs and services to support innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Supporting businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario.

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

Supporting business, innovation and community economic development unique to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)

Supporting business, innovation and community economic development unique to British Columbia.


Action taken by RDAs to support business during the COVID-19 pandemic

Canada Community Revitalization Fund, Tourism Relief Fund, Jobs and Growth Fund, Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative, Regional Air Transportation Initiative, Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative, Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund

Supporting regional economic growth through innovation

RDA programs foster the right environment to enable businesses to grow and entrepreneurs and innovators to start businesses, creating the ideal conditions for the development of strong, dynamic and inclusive regional economies throughout the country.

Regional Development Agencies support regional innovation ecosystems and help businesses scale up by:

  • delivering nationally coordinated programs tailored to fit regional needs and circumstances
  • providing access to financial assistance
  • bringing together key players in their respective ecosystems
  • supporting community economic development
  • ensuring that regional growth strategies eliminate regional gaps and align with federal government objectives

Success stories

Businesses and industries in communities across the country are thriving thanks to targeted investments from the RDAs.

Regional representation