Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) – Local Impact Stream in the Prairie provinces

Intake open

The first call for proposals is now open and accepting submissions until July 17, 2026, 12:00 pm MDT. Shovel-ready projects* with significant eligible activities and costs in the 2026-27 construction season will be prioritized.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as possible for consideration as funds in 2026-27 are limited.

A subsequent intake will be announced later in 2026-27. More intakes could follow subject to the availability of funds.

All projects must be completed by and available for public use by March 31, 2030.

*Shovel-ready projects are those with all required permits secured, environmental assessments completed, detailed design and project execution plan, confirmed cost estimates and funding in place, etc.

The Government of Canada is moving quickly to build the community infrastructure our country needs. Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada’s plan to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come to support new and renewed public infrastructure starting in 2026-27.

There are 3 funding streams under the Build Communities Strong Fund supporting a range of infrastructure investments across the country:

• Provincial and Territorial stream - This stream transfers funding to the provinces and territories who in turn distribute the funding to their communities for infrastructure related to housing, post-secondary education, and health.
• Community stream -The funding under this stream is transferred from the federal government to the provinces and territories who in turn distribute the funding to their communities  to support local infrastructure priorities.
• Direct Delivery stream - This stream is providing $5 billion over 10 years for regionally significant projects, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure.

Canada’s Regional Development Agencies, including PrairiesCan, are delivering an additional $1 billion under the Local Impact Stream for community infrastructure projects. Of this amount, PrairiesCan is delivering $176.6 million over 4 years, up to March 31, 2030.

Eligible projects

Contributions under the Local Impact Stream will normally be $250,000 to $1 million per project. Projects requesting more than $1 million should apply to the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC). For more information, visit HICC for details on what is eligible under each stream.

Eligible projects for the Local Impact Stream will involve building or improving community infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access is not primarily limited to paid membership) and has economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for the broader community or region.

Eligible types of infrastructure include, but are not limited to:

• Community buildings, spaces, and related assets
• Economic related assets, such as those supporting small businesses or attracting investment or workers (e.g., downtown improvements, innovation hubs, business parks, job placement or skills matching centres)
• Recreation/cultural facilities and assets

Larger scale construction or renovation of community buildings, recreation facilities and cultural facilities are better suited to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s BCSF streams.

Other examples of BCSF projects eligible through HICC include:

• Water, wastewater, and stormwater management assets
• Roads and sidewalks
• Public transit, including active transportation
• Post-secondary education-related infrastructure, such as colleges and universities
• Health-related infrastructure, such as hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centres, community health centres, and medical schools

HICC may offer additional project flexibilities for projects with Indigenous recipients.

Does your Prairies-based organization support a community infrastructure project that responds to local needs, is accessible to the public, provides public benefit, and helps strengthen the Prairie economy?  Do you have a shovel-ready project?

If so, the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Local Impact Stream may be able to support your project.

The BCSF Local Impact Stream supports local governments (and their related organizations), and incorporated not-for-profit organizations by investing in community infrastructure projects for public use and/or benefit that:

• enhance community well-being and economic strength across the Prairie provinces; and
• enable communities—including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities—to create, improve, or modernize infrastructure that delivers lasting economic benefits.

PrairiesCan contributions for eligible not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable, normally ranging from a minimum of $250,000 up to $1,000,000 per project.

PrairiesCan will prioritize shovel-ready projects that:

• Leverage confirmed funding from other sources of support (more than 50% of total project costs)
• Are a priority as identified by local, provincial, Indigenous governments, or as identified within federal government strategies
• Contribute to the success of communities with major projects
• Generate economic benefits for the community, region, and/or Canada such as job creation and attracting investment or workers

Applications involving Indigenous, rural and/or remote communities, or Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) may be given preference.

Detailed information is needed for assessment; ensure your application:

• addresses a clear need, gap or opportunity in the community, region, and/or Canada
• describes the community impact, well-being, and economic benefits
• includes a comprehensive project plan that demonstrates the viability of the project (e.g., management capability, financial capacity) (refer to Applicant Guide)

Applicants are encouraged to consider Canadian materials and content.

For detailed information on the assessment criteria, refer to Elements of a Strong Proposal in the Before you Apply section.

Only submissions demonstrating the highest merit and fit with BCSF objectives and priorities will be considered for funding. Many good projects may not receive support under BCSF.

Contact PrairiesCan

For additional information on the Build Communities Strong Fund, contact us directly at one of our regional offices by calling 1-888-338-9378.