The Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build Canada strong—today and for generations to come.
The National BCSF, led by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), supports the development and renewal of public infrastructure across the country. Through its Direct Delivery stream, HICC will focus on large infrastructure projects which support and advance economic prosperity, housing, education, health, transit (roads, highways), and climate adaptation.
Canada’s Regional Development Agencies will administer a Local Impact Stream supporting shovel-ready community projects that deliver public benefits, strengthen communities, and advance local and regional economic development priorities.
Recognizing the unique challenges facing Northern Ontario communities, many of which are small, rural, and remote, FedNor will target its support to help them create the conditions necessary for economic growth and development.
On this page
- Eligible Applicants
- Ineligible Applicants
- Eligible Activities
- Ineligible Activities
- Eligible Costs
- Ineligible Costs
- Funding Conditions
- Other Considerations
- How to Apply
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Municipalities and municipal organizations;
- Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) communities and organizations; and
- Not-for-profit organizations (e.g., cultural, or recreational organizations).
Ineligible Applicants
Ineligible applicants include:
- Individuals and businesses.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include:
- Building or improving (i.e., new, expansion, renovation, retrofit, climate adaptation, or replacement) community infrastructure primarily for public use and/or benefit, such as community buildings, recreation and sport facilities, parks, and cultural infrastructure.
Note: Community infrastructure for public use and/or benefit is defined as infrastructure that is accessible to the public (i.e., access is not primarily limited to paid membership) and/or has economic, social, or environmental benefits for the broader community, region, or Canada.
Ineligible Activities
Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic and business planning;
- Feasibility studies;
- Community investment readiness plans;
- Infrastructure related to retail, wholesale, accommodation, and administrative facilities;
- Government services;
- Drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater management; and
- Clean energy generation and management.
Note: Public infrastructure development that includes essential systems—water and waste, transportation, energy and emergency services, and major education and health facilities—fall within the scope of HICC’s national program. For more information visit Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s - Build Communities Strong Fund website.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs include:
- Costs directly related to the project and deemed reasonable and necessary for its execution;
- Capital costs associated with the construction or improvement (i.e., expansion, renovation, retrofit, climate adaptation or replacement) of community infrastructure;
- Direct materials and supplies related to the project;
- Purchase of equipment or machinery directly related to or necessary for the project;
- Incremental fees paid to professional, technical personnel, consultants and contractors for activities directly related to the project;
- Incremental wages and benefits for individuals employed for the project;
- Costs related to meeting legal, regulatory, or government requirements;
- Design and planning costs (e.g., final design work, and other pre construction activities); and
- Costs related to signage promoting the visibility of federal contributions.
Note:
- Costs may be eligible on a retroactive basis for a 12-month period prior to the receipt of a funding application, but no earlier than April 30, 2026, and costs must be incurred by March 31, 2030.
- Applicants are to use a fair, competitive, and transparent procurement process to ensure the best value for money when supplies, equipment and services are purchased, or personnel are hired.
- Applicants are encouraged to consider Canadian materials and content, where such materials and content are competitive and available.
Ineligible Costs
Certain activities and costs will not be considered eligible, including:
- Acquisition or leasing of land, buildings, or other facilities;
- Recurring operations and maintenance;
- Motorized vehicles;
- Amortization or depreciation of assets;
- Refinancing of existing debt;
- Goodwill, in-kind costs, and the purchase of any assets of more than fair market value;
- Costs not incremental, reasonable, or necessary; and
- Costs for which the applicant has entered into a legal commitment/incurred prior to the eligibility date.
Funding Conditions
- Up to $1 million in non-repayable funding may be available.
- The amount of the contribution awarded will be based on the minimum amount required for the project to proceed.
- FedNor may support up to 50 percent of eligible and supported costs.
- Indigenous recipients may be eligible to receive up to 100% of eligible and supported costs.
- Combined government funding (including federal, provincial, and municipal) may total up to 100% of eligible and supported costs.
Other Considerations
All applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
To be considered eligible, project benefits must accrue to Northern Ontario.
Projects will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Alignment with the initiative’s objectives to build or improve community infrastructure, strengthen community vitality, and enhance quality of life including in rural and Indigenous communities.
- Quality and feasibility of the project plan, including budget, timeliness, and identified risks and mitigation strategies.
- Expected results and community benefits of the project.
- Capacity to deliver the project, including managerial and financial capacity.
- Appropriate authority or regulatory body endorsement of the project.
- Sustainability of the infrastructure beyond project completion.
- Compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements (e.g., Impact Assessment Act, 2019, the Official Languages Act).
In addition to the above criteria, priority may be given to projects that.
- Are shovel-ready including whether the project has secured or is close to securing approvals, permits, land access, and any other requirements for implementation.
- Generate economic benefits for the community, region (e.g., support job creation and retention, attract investment or workers, catalyze or support investments in major projects, homebuilding, or the defence industry).
- Demonstrate benefits for small, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
- Are identified as a priority by local or provincial government (e.g., in an official community or regional plan), address barriers or accessibility needs, and/or have the support of project partners or local stakeholders.
- Leverage funding from other partners and sources (i.e., where FedNor’s contribution represents less than 50% of the total project costs).
Completing an application and addressing the above considerations and priorities does not guarantee funding approval. All applications will be assessed as they are received, and approval may also depend on program funding availability.
How to Apply
A one-time special scheduled intake will focus on eligible projects that are ready to proceed quickly this summer. Applications received by July 8, 2026 23:59 EST may be given priority consideration.
Applications will continue to be accepted on a continuous intake basis over the next four years or until such a time as the allocated program funding is fully distributed.
Please call 1-877-333-6673 to discuss your proposal with a FedNor Officer in your area or begin your application process.
FedNor is committed to providing effective, efficient and client-focused programs and services. Visit our service commitment to find out more.