The Province is now accepting applications from local governments, community groups and First Nations for nearly $160 million in infrastructure grants to help strengthen communities throughout British Columbia.
The funding targets projects ranging from recreation and cultural centres to drinking water and wastewater facilities.
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the funds are being made available as part of the second intake of the Community, Culture and Recreation (CCR) infrastructure stream and the Rural and Northern Communities (RNC) infrastructure stream, both part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan.
“Investment in infrastructure is an investment in people. We saw with the first intake in 2018 that there was huge demand for upgrading arenas, building new community centres and improving natural disaster resiliency,” said the Hon. Selina Robinson, B.C.’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Projects like these will strengthen communities by bringing people together, celebrating our province’s diversity and improving services to support economic growth.”
The provincial and federal governments are investing up to $58.7 million under the RNC program and up to $100.6 million under the CCR program.
“Investing in community centres, recreation and cultural facilities means children and youth will have a safe place to play and learn, seniors have a place to meet and our clubs and groups can have a home. These facilities build strong, dynamic communities where people want to put down roots and do business,” said the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Canada's Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Together with the Province, we are supporting projects that will create jobs and bring residents new facilities and programs that will make a real difference in people’s lives for years to come.”
The CCR program provides access to funding for projects that will provide upgrades or build new recreation facilities, recreational trails, local community centres and arts and cultural spaces. The program also supports health and educational facilities that uphold the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. The total federal-provincial contribution for the first intake of CCR was nearly $134 million. The first six successful applicants were announced last fall and the rest will be announced soon.
“Investment in infrastructure such as trail and cycling networks, arts and cultural installations and improving accessibility is so valuable to the tourism sector,” said the Hon. Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This funding will help drive visitation, create jobs and increase revenues, benefiting the people in the tourism industry, which is especially important as we work towards recovering from the impact of COVID-19.”
The RNC program responds to the unique needs of British Columbia’s small, rural and remote communities that have populations under 25,000. As with the first round of applications under this fund, provincial and federal funding has been set at a higher level to ensure that communities under 5,000 people will have all eligible project costs covered, while those in communities up to 25,000 people will only have to cover 10%.
Project criteria support a wide range of infrastructure needs and priorities, including broadband connectivity, efficient and reliable energy, Indigenous health and educational facilities, local public transit and reliable road, air or marine infrastructure, as well as improved resilience to natural disasters and environmental quality. The total federal-provincial contribution for the first intake of RNC is more than $94 million and successful applicants will be announced soon.
Local governments and Indigenous communities, as well as for-profit (RNC only) and not-for-profit organizations, are encouraged to submit applications for these programs, through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program on the B.C. government website: www.gov.bc.ca/Investing-in-Canada-Infrastructure-Program
Approvals for the second intake are expected to be made public in 2021.
Quick Facts:
- Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- $25.3 billion of this funding supports social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
- For each project in the Community, Culture and Recreation infrastructure stream, projects may receive the following funding toward eligible costs:
- Up to 33.33% provincial funding and up to 40% federal funding for local government projects;
- Up to 15% provincial funding and up to 75% federal funding for Indigenous off-reserve projects(i);
- Up to 75% federal funding for Indigenous on-reserve projects*; and
- Up to 25% provincial funding and up to 40% federal funding for not-for-profit projects.
(i) Indigenous ultimate recipients may access additional funding for a project up to a maximum of 100% of eligible expenditures from all federal sources.
- For each project in the Rural and Northern Communities infrastructure stream, projects may receive the following funding toward eligible costs:
- Up to 40% provincial funding and up to 60% federal funding for local government projects depending on population:
- Small communities under 5,000 people may receive up to a combined total of 100% funding.
- Communities with populations between 5,001 and 25,000 may receive up to a combined total of 90% funding.
- Up to 25% provincial funding and up to 75% federal funding for Indigenous off-reserve projects(i);
- Up to 75% federal funding for Indigenous on-reserve projects*;
- Up to 25% provincial funding and up to 50% federal funding for not-for-profit projects, and
- Up to 15% provincial funding and up to 25% federal funding related to for-profit projects.
(i) Indigenous ultimate recipients may access additional funding for a project up to a maximum of 100% of eligible expenditures from all federal sources.
- Up to 40% provincial funding and up to 60% federal funding for local government projects depending on population:
Learn More:
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse/government-canada-takes-action-covid-19.html
BC’s Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/bc-eng.html
Government of British Columbia’s infrastructure program: www.gov.bc.ca/Investing-in-Canada-Infrastructure-Program
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