Corporate Reports
2026-27 Departmental Plan
Issue / question
The 2026-27 Departmental Plan is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the week of March 9, 2026.
Suggested response
- The Departmental Plan highlights Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) work in 2026-27, including:
- establishing Build Canada Homes (BCH), the new federal entity dedicated to building and financing affordable housing;
- launching the new Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), to invest in a wide range of public infrastructure projects; and
- implementing the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), which will soon begin providing funding for planning and implementing key public transit projects.
- HICC plans to invest $10.4 billion in 2026–27 to improve housing affordability, modernize homebuilding, and invest in critical build community-enabling infrastructure. Planned spending excludes funding associated with BCH and the BCSF, which are subject to the approval of the Budget Implementation Act [redacted] (at the time of finalization of the Departmental Plan).
- BCSF will provide funding over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, to help communities build Canada strong via three streams:
- the Provincial and Territorial stream ($17.2 billion);
- the Direct Delivery stream ($6 billion); and
- the Community stream ($27.8 billion, a rebranded Canada Community-Building Fund).
Background
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) plans to spend $10.4 billion in 2026-27, representing an increase of $1.7 billion compared to forecasted spending in 2025-26. The planned spending increase is primarily attributable to the ramp-up of existing HICC programming such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF). Figures presented in the 2026–27 Departmental Plan do not include the financial injections related to Build Canada Homes (BCH) and Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF), which are being advanced through distinct funding envelopes and authorities.
- In 2026-27, BCH will deliver early investments, build partnerships, and advance innovation, while HICC advances the transition of BCH from a Special Operating Agency to an arm’s length entity. As part of this work, HICC will advance the transfer of Canada Lands Company Limited to BCH, including confirming policy, financial, and legislative authorities and establishing core functions such as governance and operational systems to support large-scale affordable housing delivery and stronger public-private collaboration.
- BCH will contribute to the supply of supportive and transitional housing, complementing HICC’s homelessness programming. Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy and the Veteran Homelessness Program will continue to be the primary federal mechanisms to prevent and reduce homelessness. Together, these initiatives support the Government of Canada’s housing affordability, infrastructure renewal, and community resilience priorities, as outlined in Budget 2025 and the Minister’s mandate letters.
- The BCSF plans to provide $51 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, to support a wide range of public infrastructure projects and help communities build Canada strong. ln 2026-27, HICC will focus on finalizing program design and advancing delivery across its three funding streams:
- the Provincial and Territorial stream ($17.2 billion);
- the Direct Delivery stream ($6 billion); and
- the Community stream ($27.8 billion, a rebranded Canada Community-Building Fund).
- In 2026-27, the Department will continue to invest in Canada’s public transit systems by implementing the CPTF. The CPTF will provide municipalities, transit authorities and other eligible recipients with stable, predictable funding to support system planning, asset renewal, and major expansion projects.
- The 2026-27 Departmental Plan includes information on the department’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review activities, presenting HICC’s anticipated savings over the next three fiscal years and corresponding Full Time Equivalent (FTE) reductions. HICC anticipates a decrease of approximately 190 FTEs by 2028-29.
2024-25 Departmental Results Report
Issue / question
The 2024-25 Departmental Results Report was tabled in Parliament on November 7, 2025.
Suggested response
- The 2024-25 Departmental Results Report highlights Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) achievements in:
- supporting key infrastructure projects that help build accessible and resilient communities;
- addressing climate change;
- supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in accessing affordable housing; and,
- improving the quality of life for Canadians.
- HICC spent $7.9 billion in 2024-25, representing an increase of $300 million compared to 2023-24. This is mainly attributed to the continued delivery of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the ramping up of the Canada Public Transit Fund, and funding in programs such as Reaching Home.
- HICC’s workforce grew by 32 full-time equivalents from 2023-24, reaching 1,599 for 2024-25. This is primarily attributable to the department increasing capacity to help deliver on new and increased programming such as the Veteran Homelessness Program, the Supporting Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative, and the completion of the Homelessness portfolio transfer from Employment and Social Development Canada.
Background
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) 2024-25 Departmental Results Report lays out the department’s work over the past year to expand homelessness and housing-enabling programs, advance a cleaner and healthier environment, and support more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable communities that meet the diverse needs of all Canadians and improve quality of life.
- Significant achievements in 2024-25 include:
- Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund: Approved 25 Direct Delivery Stream projects worth $369.5 million, potentially enabling 110,000 housing units. Signed 10 provincial and territorial agreements with British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF): 80 proponents representing more than 200 communities were deemed eligible under the Expression of Interest for the Baseline Stream. Under the Metro-Region Agreement Stream, the government announced that the Vancouver metro-region will receive up to $1.53 billion over 10 years to support transit projects. HICC will also continue to provide support to projects approved under the former Permanent Public Transit Program funds through the CPTF-Targeted Funding stream.
- Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF): Finalized renewed CCBF agreements with all provinces and territories, providing $26.7 billion over 10 years. Communities made investments across a broad range of 19 eligible project categories.
- Reaching Home: Funding from Budget 2024 was added to agreements to help communities across the country respond to growing homelessness. 15,172 people received prevention services, 9,327 people received housing placement services and 2,541 people received income assistance.
- Veteran Homelessness Program (VHP): Since its launch, the VHP has entered into funding agreements with 28 recipients under the Services and Supports Stream and six recipients under the Capacity Building Stream. These agreements have helped to provide support to 1,294 Veterans in 2024-25.
- Québec Bridge: On November 12, 2024, HICC finalized the Québec Bridge Transfer Agreement with Canadian National Railway, officially transferring ownership to The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. This acquisition enables a long-term rehabilitation plan, preserving the bridge’s historical and economic value for the Québec City region.
- The list below shows the breakdown of actual spending under HICC’s Transfer Payment Programs for 2024-25. These amounts reflect the federal cash flows to provinces, territories and municipalities:
| Name of Program | Transfer Payment Program actual spending for 2024-25 |
|---|---|
| Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program | $2,490,000,727 |
| Canada Community-Building Fund | $2,368,157,557 |
| Reaching Home | $727,919,776 |
| New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial National Component-National and Regional Projects | $628,335,028 |
| Canada Public Transit Fund | $416,802,914 |
| Green and Inclusive Community Buildings | $377,067,262 |
| Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund | $280,681,183 |
| New Building Canada Fund-National Infrastructure Component | $99,563,948 |
| Building Canada Fund-Major Infrastructure Component | $42,534,249 |
| New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-Small Communities Fund | $41,210,819 |
| Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative | $38,417,307 |
| Natural Infrastructure Fund | $24,967,857 |
| Green Infrastructure Fund | $23,468,653 |
| Veteran Homelessness Program | $16,413,616 |
| Building Canada Fund-Communities Component | $13,712,213 |
| Smart Cities Challenge | $10,025,000 |
| Clean Water and Wastewater Fund | $7,619,980 |
| Research and Knowledge Initiative | $6,135,293 |
| Public Transit Infrastructure Fund | $5,853,267 |
| Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund | $5,203,935 |
| Supporting Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative | $4,421,455 |
| Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund | $4,200,000 |
| Canada Healthy Communities Initiative | $1,200,000 |
2026-27 Main Estimates - Portfolio
Issue / question
What is the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio seeking in the Main Estimates 2026-27?
Suggested response
- The Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio is seeking just over $17.0 billion in funding in the 2026-27 Main Estimates.
- This represents a net increase of $976.2 million compared to the previous year’s Main Estimates, primarily driven by:
- The continued delivery of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the ramping up of the Canada Public Transit Fund. These programs provide long-term, stable federal investments to modernize community infrastructure, strengthen climate resilience, and expand reliable, accessible public transit systems that improve mobility, environmental quality, and quality of life for Canadians.
- The winding down of funding for existing Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) programming, the anticipated completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the completion of the Heritage Champlain program for the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge, as well as the implementation of Budget 2025 savings measures.
- As part of the Budget 2025 Comprehensive Expenditure Review, the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio is implementing spending reductions of $5.6 billion over four years and $1.7 billion ongoing.
- Over 97% of the portfolio’s funding is allocated to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada and CMHC who deliver transfer payment programs through multiple recipients across the country.
Background
- The Main Estimates process is the means to access funding for the upcoming fiscal year for initiatives approved up to February 2026, to support the Government of Canada’s priorities. It identifies the spending authorities (votes) and the amounts to be included in subsequent appropriation bills that Parliament will be asked to approve to enable the government to proceed with its spending plans.
- The 2026-27 Main Estimates would result in a net increase of $976.2 million for the portfolio compared to the previous year. The increase is explained as follows:
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) proposed Main Estimates represent a net increase of $1,368.1 million when compared to the previous year, primarily related to:
- Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (increase of $930.7 million);
- Canada Public Transit Fund (increase of $621.3 million);
- These increases are offset by the implementation of Budget 2025 savings measures (decrease of $402.0 million).
- In addition, Capital funding increased by $41.9 million mainly related to previous reprofiles to support outstanding obligations with the private partner for the Samuel De Champlain Bridge Corridor.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is seeking a net decrease of $239.6 million primarily related to:
- Affordable Housing Fund (decrease of $221.9 million);
- Shelters Initiative for Indigenous Women and Children (decrease of $203.4 million);
- Implementation of Budget 2025 savings measures (decrease of 81.6 million);
- Federal/Provincial/Territorial housing agreements (increase of $119.6 million); and
- Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy (increase of $100.8 million).
- Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) Main Estimates represent a decrease of $119.9 million primarily related to:
- The design-build phase of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project reaching completion and entering the operations phase.
- The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is seeking a net decrease of $32.5 million primarily related to:
- The completion of the Heritage Champlain program for the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge; and
- Implementation of Budget 2025 savings measures (decrease of $13.4 million).
- Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) proposed Main Estimates represent a net increase of $1,368.1 million when compared to the previous year, primarily related to:
- To ensure that organizations have sufficient spending authority until such time as the Main Estimates receive Royal Assent in June 2026, the standard interim supply of three twelfths is provided for the first quarter of the year. The following portfolio organizations requested additional twelfths for expenditures with potential to materialize in the early stages of the fiscal year.
- HICC is seeking two additional twelfths of Vote 10 Grants and Contributions funding (five twelfths total representing $3,141.4 million) for projected programming ramp-up in early 2026-27.
- WDBA is seeking one additional twelfth (four twelfths total representing $74.4 million) to address a significant disbursement related to the upfront payment obligations for operations insurance, which must be remitted in full at the start of the operations phase.
- JCCBI is requesting one additional twelfth (four twelfths total representing $87.8 million) to meet the requirements of planned expenditures related to major projects, including the Bonaventure Expressway reconfiguration project, as well as regular maintenance on structures.
- The Build Communities Strong Fund was not included in the Main Estimates and is expected to be accessed in the 2026-27 Supplementary Estimates, increasing HICC’s authorities by a further $2,203.1 million.
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