News & Updates

The federal government’s Budget 2025 announced the Build Communities Strong Fund, a $51 billion investment over 10 years to support local infrastructure across Canada, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, transit, hospitals, and colleges and universities.

The fund includes three streams:

• Provincial and Territorial Stream ($17.2 billion over 10 years): Supports housing-enabling infrastructure, health infrastructure, and post-secondary institutions. Provinces and territories must cost-match federal investments.
• Community Stream ($27.8 billion over 10 years, $3 billion/year ongoing): Continuation of the former Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), supporting local infrastructure projects.
• Direct Delivery Stream ($6 billion over 10 years): Supports regionally significant projects, large building retrofits, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure.

The fund will be administered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Program details — including eligibility, application processes, intake timelines, and contact information — have not been published yet. We’ll add a full entry to the Portal once an official program page and delivery details are available.

A new 10-year federal-provincial funding agreement with $171 million in federal support for Nova Scotia. The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund will fund housing and enabling infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems.

• • Federal share: up to 40%
  • Provincial share: up to 33.33%
  • Notably, CHIF allows 100% federal stacking, unlike previous programs
  • Launch expected early 2026

Natural Resources Canada will launch a new Buildings Call – Prefabrication Design Challenge and Demonstration Prize under the Energy Innovation Program in Winter 2026. The program will:

• • Support innovation in offsite and prefabricated construction methods
  • Accelerate the pace of housing supply across Canada
  • Advance energy efficiency, building performance, and affordability

Several funding programs and streams have upcoming deadlines in November. Be sure to review the details below and submit your applications on time.

• Recreational Trail Expansion Program – Deadline: November 1
• Collections Management – Museums Assistance Program – Deadline: November 3
• Access to Heritage – Museums Assistance Program – Deadline: November 3
• Indigenous Heritage – Museums Assistance Program – Deadline: November 3