Build Communities Strong Fund – Local Impact Stream (LIS)

Part of QEDP

Objective: The Local Impact Stream (LIS) of the Build Communities Strong Fund that CED is implementing in Quebec aims to support the construction or improvement of infrastructure intended for public use or benefit, which will strengthen communities and promote regional economic development. The LIS is part of a wider series of investments by the Government of Canada in public infrastructure.

Implementation: In Quebec, the LIS is implemented in two ways:

• Direct funding from CED to support community, recreational tourism, and leisure infrastructure projects, as well as infrastructure projects for Indigenous communities (check the eligibility criteria that follow).
• Funding from CED through an agreement with the Government of Quebec to support infrastructure projects with a cultural focus (the Government of Quebec is responsible for identifying the projects and monitoring their implementation).

• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and charities, including non-profit cooperatives.
• Municipalities, regional authorities or public sector organizations established by provincial legislation or regulations.
• Indigenous non-profit organizations and organizations led by Indigenous people, such as an Indigenous band and a band council.

Types of infrastructure targeted

Direct assistance provided by CED under the LIS is for the construction or improvement of infrastructure intended for public use or benefit. Three types of infrastructure are prioritized:

• Community infrastructure: facilities, buildings, public spaces, and community amenities that promote social cohesion, quality of life, access to local services, and shared use by the community (e.g., community or multipurpose centers, public markets, community gardens and workspaces, and developments aimed at revitalizing main streets or downtown areas).
• Leisure infrastructure: indoor or outdoor facilities open to the public for physical, sports, or recreational activities, whether self-directed or organized (e.g., sports fields and equipment, bike paths and running tracks, ice rinks, swimming pools, gyms, etc.).
• Recreational and tourism infrastructure: facilities, spaces and amenities that contribute to a community’s offerings in terms of recreation, outdoor activities, exploration, relaxation, or attractiveness, particularly when they promote public access to activities or sites of local or regional interest (e.g., non-provincial community or recreational and tourism parks, non-motorized recreational trails, interpretive sites, community docks, beaches, boat ramps, visitor centers or information facilities, etc.).

Additional project eligibility requirements

• The project demonstrates that it generates economic and local benefits (community vitality and a contribution to creating an environment conducive to economic development).
• The project funding is complete with CED’s financial assistance.
• The required permits, authorizations, rights-of-way, leases, or other approvals have been obtained or are sufficiently advanced to demonstrate that the project is ready to be implemented.
• The organization owns the infrastructure or has obtained the necessary authorizations from the relevant authorities to carry out the work required as part of the project.
• The project can be completed and made available to the public by the end of the initiative, March 31, 2030..

Eligible activities

Types of eligible activities: Construction or improvement of infrastructure intended for public use or benefit (e.g., new construction, extension, renovation, modernization or adaptation to climate change of community buildings, leisure facilities and recreational tourism infrastructure).

The terms “infrastructure intended for public use or benefit” refer to infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access that is not primarily restricted to paying members) and provides economic, social, or environmental benefits to the community as a whole.

Eligible costs

Costs incurred by the eligible project that are deemed reasonable and necessary for the completion of the project. These costs include:

• Costs associated with the construction or improvement (i.e., extension, renovation, modernization, adaptation to climate change or replacement) of community infrastructure.
• Materials and supplies directly related to the project.
• The purchase of equipment or machinery directly related to the project or necessary for its completion.
• Additional fees paid to professional and technical staff, consultants and contractors for activities directly related to the project.
• Additional wages and benefits for persons employed under the project.
• Costs associated with compliance with legal, regulatory or government requirements.
• Design and planning costs (e.g., studies, assessments, design work and other pre-construction activities).
• Costs associated with signage intended to promote the visibility of federal contributions.

Costs may be eligible retroactively for up to 12 months prior to receipt of the signed application (no earlier than April 30, 2026). Projects must be completed by March 31, 2030. The need for financial assistance to carry out the project must be justified for these costs.

Financial assistance

• Type of assistance: non-repayable contribution.
• Maximum amount: $1 million per organization and per project.
  Please note that:
  • The amount of the contribution is subject to the outcome of the application review and the availability of funds. CED may offer a different amount than the amount requested.
  • Contributions will be limited to the minimum amount necessary to ensure that projects proceed as planned and achieve the expected results, taking into account all sources of funding available to the project proponents.
• Minimum amount: $125,000 ($50,000 for Indigenous projects)..
• Funding rate: up to 50% of eligible costs (up to 100% for Indigenous projects).
• Combination of government assistance: up to 100%
• Each applicant may only receive one financial contribution under the LIS.

Submitting a funding request:

1. Check your eligibility by completing the online self-assessment tool
2. Submit a financial assistance application

Questions? Contact us