40 recipients win RBC Barrier Buster Grants

The Rick Hansen Foundation, in collaboration with RBC and RBC Foundation, announced the recipients of the RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program. Forty communities across Canada will each receive up to $40,000 to fund physical accessibility improvements.

The RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program was created in honour of the 40th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Tour, which helped to raise awareness of the potential of people with disabilities and boost funds to remove barriers.

“Accessibility is about more than removing barriers, it’s about opening doors to opportunity, independence and belonging for every Canadian,” said Rick Hansen, Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “The response to this program has been extraordinary highlighting the significant need for retrofit improvements. With applications from communities from coast to coast to coast, it’s clear Canadians are ready to build a more inclusive country knowing there is still vital work to be done.

The following 40 recipients will complete their projects by January 31, 2027, and will host a community engagement event to celebrate their project by June 4th, 2027:

Alberta

Accessibility Lift Project: Acadia Community Association (Calgary).
Marion Carson Inclusive Playground: Marion Carson Parent Association (Calgary).
Railway Street Pavilion: Town of Cochrane (Cochrane).
Science of Quiet Project: Synaptic Rehab Centre (Calgary).
Sensory Pathway Project: Barrhead Accessibility Coalition/Town of Barrhead (Barrhead).

British Columbia

Access Without Barriers: Hearing & Mobility Improvements: Chinese Canadian Museum Society of BC (Vancouver).
Coquitlam Public Facilities Upgrades: City of Coquitlam (Coquitlam).
Enderby’s Barrier-Free Facilities: City of Enderby (Enderby).
Kelly Lake Admin Building Ramp: Nikihk Management and Community Development Society (Dawson Creek).
Lower Level Renovation: Knox Presbyterian Church (Vernon).
SFN Community Office Accessibility: Spuzzum First Nation (Spuzzum).
Wayfinding Enhancement Project: Surrey School District (Surrey).

Manitoba

Accessible Entry, Viewing, Service Counters & Washroom: City of Selkirk (Selkirk).
Accessible Outdoor Recreation at Camp Manitou: True North Youth Foundation (Winnipeg).
Universal Toileting Room: Manitoba Possible (Winnipeg).

New Brunswick

Accessible Entries for Students: Mount Allison University (Sackville).

Newfoundland and Labrador

Barrier-Free Community Hub Initiative: Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation Inc. (Stephenville).

Nova Scotia

Alexandra Hall Kitchen Accessibility Renovation: University of King’s College (Halifax).
Berwick Camp Barrier-Free Cottage: United Church Camp Meeting Association (Berwick).
Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging: Ummah Society (Halifax).
Opening Doors at Trinity: Trinity United Church (New Glasgow).
Scotia Pool Accessibility Improvement: Scotia Pool Society (Bible Hill)

Ontario

ALCDSB Barrier Busters: Accessible Gymnasiums & Change Rooms: Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic DSB (Napanee).
Algonquin College Residence Path of Travel Improvements: Algonquin College (Ottawa).
Accessible Listening & Descriptive Audio Systems: Laurentian University (Sudbury).
Bridging the Barrier at Ball’s Bridge: Municipality of Central Huron (Clinton).
Courtyard Access Improvement Project: Variety Village (Scarborough).
KWAG Studio Accessibility Renovation: Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (Kitchener).
Peter G. Manzo Pool – Accessible for All: City of Sault Ste. Marie (Sault Ste. Marie).
SSAUSM Barrier-Free Washroom Project: Shree Swaminarayan Mandal (North York).
UHN Information Desks Hearing Loop Installation: University Health Network (Toronto).

Prince Edward Island

River Clyde Arts Accessible New Home: River Clyde Arts (Millvale).

Quebec

Accessible Multipurpose Gym: Friendship Circle of Montréal (Montréal).
Community Rehabilitation Lounge: Neuro-Efficiency Foundation (Montréal).
Hope Takes Action – Food Bank Entrance: Share the Warmth (Montréal).

Saskatchewan

20 Above Accessibility Renovation Project Phase 2: PAVED Art + New Media Inc. (Saskatoon).
Brick Mill Accessibility Lift: Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society Inc. (Yorkton).
City Hall Accessibility Upgrades: City of Moose Jaw (Moose Jaw).
Accessible Kayak Launch at Sunset Beach: Prairie Sky Trails Association Inc. (Loreburn).
Wadena Rec Centre Washroom Accessibility Upgrade: Town of Wadena (Wadena)