Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby announced a landmark federal-provincial partnership Monday that will direct more than $5 billion toward local infrastructure across the province over the next decade, with a focus on housing, health care, and transit.
The Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.6 billion over 10 years through the Build Communities Strong Fund, matched by British Columbia for a combined $3.2 billion, to reduce development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50 per cent in priority communities. The initiative aims to save up to $40,000 per unit and expand housing-enabling infrastructure including water systems, wastewater systems, and local roads.
“We’re working in partnership with the Government of British Columbia to deliver – building affordable homes, modern transit, and new community spaces all across B.C. Together, we’re building a stronger British Columbia, and a stronger Canada for all,” said Carney.
“At a time when global uncertainty is creating real pressure here at home, British Columbians expect governments to come together and get things done. This partnership builds on the strong steps B.C. has taken on housing, by making it easier to build homes and investing in the infrastructure communities rely on. That means more homes people can afford, better services, and more good job opportunities as we work together to strengthen B.C. and Canada,” added Eby.
An additional $600 million over three years from Ottawa, matched by the province for a total of $1.2 billion, will modernize and expand health infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency rooms, and urgent care centres.
The federal government will also provide a one-time transfer of $284 million to British Columbia to reduce barriers to new construction through recently introduced legislation.
The two governments will launch the Canada-British Columbia Partnership on Condo Conversion, leveraging innovative financing tools to convert more than 2,200 vacant condo units in priority growth areas into affordable homes. The initiative will operate through Build Canada Homes and BC Housing.
Through the Canada Public Transit Fund, the federal government will invest $2.5 billion over 10 years to build new transit projects, including the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension currently underway, and increase service access and frequency in high-traffic areas. This funding supplements the $852 million previously announced to support TransLink and BC Transit.
Canada and British Columbia are also partnering to build new infrastructure for Tumbler Ridge, including a new secondary school and renovations to the local health centre. The federal and provincial governments will each provide $100 million for construction, expected to begin as early as summer 2026, starting with removal of the existing school.
Up to $50 million over five years will support community infrastructure projects in coastal communities, with priority given to projects in Terrace and Prince Rupert.
Featured image: (BC Government)
