Question Period Note: Greening the Prairie Economy

How will the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy be implemented?

•The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy represents a commitment to working differently, to collaborating more closely with, and among, Prairie partners for a prosperous and sustainable Prairie economy.
•PrairiesCan is investing $100 million over the next three years in support of regional clean growth projects aligned with the Framework.
•We are focusing on collaboration with Prairie partners on the priorities they identified through our consultations and will report back to Parliament on our progress by December 2025.
•Implementation is ongoing and supported by ten federal departments. Specifically:
oPrairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan); Environment and Climate Change Canada; Transport Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Finance Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Indigenous Services Canada; Employment and Social Development Canada; and, Infrastructure Canada.

If pressed on implementation priorities:
•During our public consultations for the Framework, Prairie stakeholders identified five (5) areas for collaborative action that will guide our work:

1.Growing key regional sectors, including natural resources, agriculture,
and manufacturing.
2.Effective movement of goods, people, and information.
3.Expanding and capitalizing on clean electricity.
4.Community Economic Development.
5.Economic reconciliation and inclusive growth.

If asked about development of the Framework:
•In hearing from those working and living across the region, PrairiesCan held its largest consultations to date,
with myself and departmental officials meeting with over 500 stakeholder groups.
•Their input was used to develop a Framework to enhance federal coordination and engagement with Prairie partners.

If prompted on Indigenous collaboration:
•Meaningful collaboration with Indigenous partners is essential to the successful implementation of this Framework.
•Advancing economic reconciliation is one of the five (5) priority areas.
•I am excited to be leading this work and look forward to engaging in further discussions with Indigenous leaders, communities, and businesses.