Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program Announced for Community Infrastructure Programs

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is part of Canada 150 Celebrates, the Government of Canada’s coordinated federal approach to celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. The Program will support communities across Canada by investing $150 million over two-years to rehabilitate and improve existing community infrastructure.

Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation (Canada 150) is a key milestone in the life of this country and celebrations will be guided by the overarching theme of “Strong. Proud. Free.”. These celebrations represent a unique opportunity to deepen our sense of what it means to be Canadian, and reinforce our pride, national identity, unity and attachment to our country.


Under the theme “Giving back to Canada”- shaping the future, leaving a lasting legacy and giving a gift to Canada, the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program will support projects that rehabilitate existing community facilities across Canada and ensure a lasting legacy resulting from Canada 150. Through Canada 150, the Government of Canada will provide a framework and investments designed to get Canadians involved, by actively contributing ideas and energy for national, regional or local events and initiatives. The Canada 150 Fund, launched on April 23, 2015, will allow the Government to make strategic investments in activities that support the Canada 150 vision and engage Canadians directly. This includes Community driven events as well as Signature Initiatives that are national in scope. Under the Government of Canada’s plan, Canadians will celebrate the achievements and successes of our great nation.

Please see the below information regarding an infrastructure fund to improve existing community infrastructure in all regions of the country.  Intake deadline is June 17/15.

• Anticipate announcements in August 2015
• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program supports projects that rehabilitate, renovate and expand existing community infrastructure.

Eligible applicants include:

• A local or regional government established under provincial or territorial statute;
• A public sector body that is wholly owned by an eligible applicant listed above;
• A not-for-profit entity;
• A provincial or territorial entity that provides municipal-type services to communities, as defined by provincial or territorial statute (including school boards); and,
• A First Nation government

Examples of the type of community infrastructure that can be supported include:

• Community centres (including legions);
• Cultural centres and museums;
• Parks, recreational trails such as fitness trails, bike paths and other types of trails;
• Libraries;
• Recreational facilities including local arenas, gymnasiums, swimming pools, sports fields, tennis, basketball, volleyball or other sport-specific courts or other types of recreational facilities;
• Tourism facilities;
• Docks;
• Cenotaphs; and,
• Other existing community infrastructure for public benefit.

Eligible projects must meet the following criteria:

• The amount of funding being requested under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program cannot exceed 50% of the total costs of a project, up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Be for the rehabilitation, renovation, or expansion of existing infrastructure for public use or benefit; Expansion has to be less than 30% of existing square footage.
• Be community-oriented, non-commercial in nature and open for use to the public and not limited to a private membership;
• Be materially complete by March 31, 2018.