The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is welcoming the federal government’s launch of the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), which signals a growing recognition that local infrastructure is essential to delivering for Canadians.

BCSF is positioned as the primary vehicle for delivering much-needed infrastructure funding across Canada. It also shows what can be accomplished when federal and local governments work together to deliver results for Canadians this construction season.

“Municipal infrastructure is where people feel progress first,” said FCM president Rebecca Bligh. “It is clean water when you turn on the tap, safer roads on the way to work, and the capacity a neighbourhood needs to support new homes. Municipalities are working with the federal government to deliver infrastructure projects this construction season. We stand ready to ramp up delivery in partnership with the federal government.”

Municipalities maintain the majority of the infrastructure Canadians rely on every day, including roads, bridges, and water and wastewater systems that support businesses, enable homebuilding, and keep communities safe and healthy.

The direct delivery stream of the BCSF will allow shovel-ready projects to move quickly this construction season, but more is needed in the long run to address the infrastructure gap. The BCSF will deliver $51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, and $3 billion per year ongoing.

In B.C., the first project to receive funding is the Marpole Community Centre. With an investment of more than $2.16 million, the new community centre will provide a wide range of services and amenities for residents of all ages, including families with children, seniors, renters, and low-income residents. The facility will include a childcare centre, after-school care, a gymnasium, a sensory room, and versatile multi-purpose spaces for sports, arts, and cultural activities.