Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities. In April, the Government of Canada launched the Build Communities Strong Fund, a $51 billion investment to build the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day.
Today, at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Annual Conference, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, announced that $1 billion of the Build Communities Strong Fund will be delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies through the Local Impact Stream. These investments will support community infrastructure projects that reflect local priorities and drive regional economic growth.
Canada's Regional Development Agencies are rooted in communities across the country, with deep knowledge of local and regional priorities built through years of on-the-ground partnership. They are well positioned to move quickly, strengthen local economies, and deliver results that Canadians can see in their own communities.
Regional Development Agencies will invest in community infrastructure that Canadians use every day and generate economic benefits - from community buildings and recreation facilities to innovation hubs and cultural spaces. This includes new construction or improvements, including expansion, renovation, retrofit, climate adaptation, or replacement of existing assets, for projects normally up to $1 million. In the coming days and weeks, each Regional Development Agency will share more details on their individual allocation, as well as how applicants can submit their project application.
The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure - with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. Combined with provincial matching, the projects through the fund will support an average of 42,000 jobs per year. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade. That means approximately $12 billion in infrastructure investments every year for the next eight years - nearly double the previous eight years.
The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build the infrastructure needed to build Canada strong - today and for generations to come.
