HAY RIVER, NT, April 7, 2026 /CNW/ - Building a strong Canada starts with investing in the infrastructure that makes it possible to increase housing supply and empower communities. In Budget 2025, the Government of Canada announced the Build Communities Strong Fund, a key initiative to build the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day.

This fund will speed up the construction of the hospitals, recreation centres, universities, and colleges that serve our communities; the bridges that move our goods; and the water and transit systems that keep our towns and cities running.

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, officially launched the Build Communities Strong Fund. This new fund will provide $51 billion over 10 years through three major streams to support a wide range of infrastructure projects that support economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, health, transit, and climate adaptation across the country.

The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure – with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. Combined with provincial matching, the projects through the fund will support an average of 42,000 jobs per year. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade. That means approximately $12 billion in infrastructure investments every year for the next eight years – nearly double the previous eight years. 

To mark the launch, the Government of Canada announced the first projects to be funded through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund. Across the country, 13 projects are receiving funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund this week, totalling $300 million in federal funding, and more to come in the weeks ahead. These projects will be vital for the communities they serve.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, announced a federal investment of more than $20 million in a new water treatment plant in Hay River to strengthen access to safe drinking water, increase resilience to climate change, and support long–term community growth.

This investment will support the development of a new water treatment plant in Hay River, replacing an aging facility that serves the town and surrounding communities, including the Hamlet of Enterprise, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, and Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation. By improving water quality and water security, the project will help eliminate boil water advisories, improve public health, and support new housing development.

When roads are congested, water systems are strained, and communities can't grow, productivity drops and costs rise. These investments will boost economic activity, create good-paying careers in the skilled trades, and give businesses and investors the confidence to build. The right infrastructure is essential to unlocking more housing, supporting affordability, and building strong communities. The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build the infrastructure needed to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come. 

Quotes

"Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities. With the new Build Communities Strong Fund, we are investing to build reliable infrastructure at a speed and scale not seen in generations – the roads, hospitals, schools, and water systems that support people, create jobs, and foster connected communities."

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"Since being elected one of the main concerns I've heard from residents in Hay River is the need for a new water treatment plant. Today, Canada's new government is delivering. The over $20 million announced today will not only build a new water treatment plant but also create new opportunities to build more homes, businesses and transform the region."

The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"Today's investment in a new water treatment plant is an investment in the future of our region. Reliable, safe drinking water is the foundation for healthy communities and sustainable growth. This project will help unlock additional housing opportunities while ensuring that residents in Hay River, Katlodeeche First Nation, Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation, and Enterprise have access to resilient water infrastructure that can meet the challenges of a changing climate."

Mayor Kandis Jameson, Town of Hay River

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing $20,138,995 in this project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.
• Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will provide:
  • $17.2 billion over 10 years through the Provincial and Territorial stream, which includes $5 billion in health infrastructure funding that will be provided over three years;
  • $6 billion over 10 years through the Direct Delivery stream; and,
  • $27.8 billion over 10 years and, $3 billion per year ongoing indexed at 2%, as planned, through the Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund).
• Under the Provincial and Territorial stream, provinces will be required to cost-match federal funding. Federal funding is conditional on the signing of funding agreements.
• Under the Provincial and Territorial stream, a minimum of 20% of the overall funding allocations will go towards projects in rural, northern, and Indigenous communities. Under the Direct Delivery stream, at least 10% of the funding will go towards investments in Indigenous communities.
• This week, the federal government is announcing 13 projects being funded under the Direct Delivery stream. Eligible project proponents can find more information on how to send their initial expression of interest for shovel-ready projects on the Build Communities Strong Fund webpage.
  • Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.
  • Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment obligations.
• The Buy Canadian Policy will apply to infrastructure spending under the Build Communities Strong Fund to ensure that more public dollars go into the Canadian economy – creating Canadian careers, using Canadian resources, and benefiting Canadian communities.

Associated Links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Building Stronger Communities in Toronto
• Prime Minister Carney shares Budget 2025 plan to build communities strong
• Budget 2025

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities