Feds announce $326M in funding for local B.C. infrastructure

Key Takeaways:

• The federal government is providing more than $326 million to British Columbia this year through the Canada Community-Building Fund to support local infrastructure projects.
• The funding will cover a wide range of needs, from essential infrastructure such as transit, water systems, and roads to recreational facilities like parks and sports fields.
• The Union of British Columbia Municipalities will administer the program in the province, giving local governments flexibility to invest in projects that respond to housing growth and community priorities.

The Whole Story:

The federal government is sending more than $326 million to British Columbia this year to support infrastructure projects ranging from public transit and water systems to community parks and sports facilities.

The funding, delivered through the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), is intended to help municipalities improve essential infrastructure and support housing growth while also investing in recreational projects that make communities more livable.

In Surrey, for example, the program is helping pay for a new sports field, enhanced lighting and safety upgrades at Tamanawis Park. The city says the improvements will create a safer and more accessible space for families while encouraging active lifestyles.

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the investments are part of Ottawa’s broader push to link housing growth with infrastructure upgrades.

“Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities,” he said.

B.C. Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle added that the funding will help local governments respond to growth pressures.

“From better parks and sport courts to transit and water systems, people thrive when their communities have the infrastructure that makes life better for everyone,” she said.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), which administers the program in the province, said the fund has been crucial for local governments for more than two decades. UBCM president Trish Mandewo said the program’s flexibility allows municipalities to invest in critical projects while supporting long-term growth.

The CCBF is a permanent source of federal funding provided to provinces and territories, which distribute the money to municipalities. Ottawa says it will deliver $26.7 billion through the program between 2024 and 2034, including $2.5 billion to 3,700 communities across Canada in 2025-26.

Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $29 billion nationwide through the program, including $3.1 billion in B.C.