the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, Thursday joined the Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, to announce a landmark new partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia that will transform, connect, and modernise communities across the province. Over the next 10 years, Canada’s new government is investing more than $5 billion in British Columbia’s local infrastructure.

Through the federal government’s new Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), the government will fund Nearly $1.6 billion over 10 years – matched by British Columbia for a total of up to $3.2 billion – to lower development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50% in priority communities, saving up to $40,000 per unit, and expand housing-enabling infrastructure such as water systems, wastewater systems, and local roads. More than $600 million over three years – matched by British Columbia for a total of up to $1.2 billion – to modernise and expand health infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centres, and other critical facilities so more British Columbians can get faster health care when they need it. Up to $50 million over five years to support community infrastructure projects in coastal communities, with priority to projects in Terrace and Prince Rupert.

To further accelerate homebuilding in British Columbia, the Government of Canada has introduced legislation that would provide a one-time transfer of $284 million to British Columbia to reduce barriers to new construction.

The federal and provincial governments also agreed to launch the new Canada-British Columbia Partnership on Condo Conversion. Together, through Build Canada Homes and BC Housing, we will leverage innovative financing tools to convert more than 2,200 vacant condo units in priority growth areas into affordable homes. This is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to increase housing supply – welcoming British Columbians to new, affordable homes as quickly as possible.

Through the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), the federal government will invest $2.5 billion over 10 years to build new transit projects – such as the Surrey-Langley Sky Train extension project that is currently underway – and increase service access and frequency in high-traffic areas. This funding is in addition to the $852 million previously announced by the federal government to support TransLink and BC Transit.

Canada and British Columbia are also partnering to build new infrastructure for the community of Tumbler Ridge, including a new secondary school and renovations to the local health centre. The federal government and the provincial government will each provide $100 million for construction, which is expected to begin as early as this summer – starting with the removal of the existing school.

In the face of global uncertainty, Canada’s new government is building across the country – to catalyse new investment, create good career opportunities, and deliver the strong, safe, and affordable communities Canadians need to live the lives they want for themselves. We are working in the spirit of cooperative federalism – in full partnership with provinces and territories – to build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Canada for all.