Build Communities Strong Fund Direct Delivery stream

A new Food Terminal Fund will help build and expand large-scale, wholesale food terminals across the country.

Eligible organizations can apply from October 14 to December 11.

On this page

• Overview
• Who is eligible
• Expression of interest
  • How to submit an expression of interest
• Small projects

Overview

The Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) is providing more than $6 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, to support regionally significant projects, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure.

Projects are identified by the federal government through various channels, including those named in Budget 2025, an online portal for applicants, pipelines of projects within existing programs, consultations, and public calls for expressions of interest. The online portal is now closed for project applications. Eligible applicants who have a potential project that is not yet shovel-ready may submit an expression of interest for future consideration.

Under this stream, Canada's Regional Development Agencies are delivering $1 billion in funding over four years to support smaller community infrastructure projects.

The Government of Canada is moving quickly to build the infrastructure communities need. That is why the Build Communities Strong Fund is focused on getting projects underway quickly.

Who is eligible

Only proponents outlined below, who are responsible for a project's implementation and who own – or will own – the asset(s), are eligible.

• A provincial or territorial government;
• A provincial or territorial public sector body (e.g., health authorities, provincial or territorial organizations that delivers municipal services);
• A municipal or regional government^{Footnote 1};
• A municipal or regional public sector body (e.g., municipally owned corporations);
• A public-sector body, including but not limited to:
• Any other form of local governance that exists outside municipal or regional governments (e.g. local health districts);
• A public or not-for-profit institution that is directly or indirectly authorized, under the terms of provincial, territorial or federal statute, or Royal Charter, to deliver post-secondary courses or programs that lead to recognized and transferable post-secondary credentials;
• An incorporated not-for-profit organization;
• A private sector, for-profit body, if it is working in collaboration with an eligible public-sector entity, as described above, or with an eligible Indigenous applicant as described below (note: additional partner information and letter of support is required);
• An Indigenous applicant, as follows:
• An Indigenous governing body, including but not limited to:
• A band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act;
• A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government or authority established pursuant to a Self-Government Agreement or a Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement between His Majesty the King in right of Canada and an Indigenous people of Canada, that has been approved, given effect and declared valid by federal legislation;
• A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government established by or under legislation whether federal or provincial or territorial that incorporates a governance structure;
• A not-for-profit organization whose primary mandate is to serve Indigenous Peoples;
• An Indigenous development corporation.

Ineligible applicants under the BCSF Direct Delivery stream include, but are not limited to:

• Private-sector, for-profit bodies that are not partnering with an eligible public sector entity or an eligible Indigenous applicant, as described above;
• Individuals and private citizens; and
• Federal entities, including federal Crown corporations.

Expression of interest

The online portal is now closed for project applications. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada thanks all applicants for their interest and submissions. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Eligible applicants who have a potential project that is not yet shovel-ready may submit an expression of interest for future consideration. The expression of interest process allows proponents to identify and describe potential projects at an early stage.

Small projects

Applicants seeking $1 million or less in funding are encouraged to apply to the Local Impact Stream. Eligible projects must build or improve community infrastructure that is accessible to the public and has economic, social, and/or environmental benefits for the broader community or region. This includes community buildings, recreation facilities, and cultural facilities.

Applicants can visit the website of the Regional Development Agency that serves their region:

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
• Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) - Application closed
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) - Application closed
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) - Application closed
• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) - Application closed
• Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)