Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada 2026-27 Departmental Plan
Details of Transfer Payment Programs

Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF)

Start date: 2003-04

End date: 2029-30^{Footnote 2}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Amended Terms and Conditions for the Payment of Contributions Under the Border Infrastructure Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program provides funding for investments in physical infrastructure, intelligent transportation system infrastructure and improved analytical capacity at the largest surface border crossings between Canada and the United States, as well as several other crossing points in Canada. Announced in Budget 2001, the fund provides up to 50 percent of federal funding to support eligible projects at Canada’s border crossings. Transport Canada is the federal delivery partner for this program.

General targeted recipient groups: The recipient may be a provincial or local government, a private partner, a non-government organization, or a combination thereof.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the Border Infrastructure Fund delivers funding to support transportation infrastructure that improves the flow of people and goods at the border crossings.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

Building Canada Fund–Communities Component (BCF–CC)

Start date: 2007-08

End date: 2027-28^{Footnote 3}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Building Canada Fund Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program supports the infrastructure needs of smaller communities with populations of less than 100,000. Project costs are shared with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, with each order of government generally contributing one-third of the eligible costs. The fund supports the construction, renewal, and enhancement of basic infrastructure such as potable water, wastewater treatment, local roads, and other infrastructure needs of small communities.

General targeted recipient groups: The recipient may be a regional or local government, a provincial entity which provides municipal-type services, a public sector body, a private partner, a non-government organization or a combination thereof. Eligible recipients under the Communities Component are restricted to those whose projects are situated within, and/or for the benefit of, local or regional governments or communities with a population of 100,000 or less as per the 2006 Census.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the Building Canada Fund–Communities Component delivers funding to implement infrastructure that promotes a cleaner environment, a competitive economy, and livable small communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027-28

Building Canada Fund–Major Infrastructure Component (BCF–MIC)

Start date: 2007-08

End date: 2027-28

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Building Canada Fund Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program targets larger infrastructure projects of national or regional significance. It increases overall investment in public infrastructure and contributes to broad federal objectives: economic growth, a cleaner environment and strong and prosperous communities. At least two-thirds of the funding is targeted to national priorities: drinking water, wastewater, public transit, the core national highway system and green energy. By providing federal funding on a cost–shared basis, it leverages additional contributions from other partners to increase overall investment in infrastructure.

General targeted recipient groups: Recipients of funding under BCF-MIC include provincial, regional, or municipal governments, public sector bodies established or owned by one of the aforementioned governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector bodies.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the Building Canada Fund–Major Infrastructure Component delivers funding to implement large infrastructure that promotes a cleaner environment, a competitive economy and livable communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027-28

Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF)

Start date: 2005-06

End date: Ongoing^{Footnote 4}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Community-Building Fund Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Other Transfer Payment

Type of appropriation: Statutory through the Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program provides municipalities with predictable, long-term funding, enabling construction and rehabilitation of core public infrastructure. The Government of Canada has agreements with provinces, territories, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the City of Toronto.

Agreements were renegotiated with all provinces and territories for the 2024-2034 period. The 2014-2024 ten-year agreements ended on March 31, 2024, and work is underway to implement the renegotiated agreements with provinces and territories. The program supports increased productivity, economic growth, and strong cities and communities, as well as housing outcomes in line with direction in Budget 2022 and reiterated in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. Municipalities can pool, bank and borrow against this funding, providing significant additional financial flexibility. Eligible recipients are required to report annually on their use of funds and their compliance to the terms and conditions of the agreements.

General targeted recipient groups: Municipalities and other types of regional and local government, organizations or bodies.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure;

2.2: Canadians increase the use of public transit or active transportation relative to personal vehicles; and,

2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Provinces, territories and municipal associations are accountable for funding provided to local governments through the Canada Community-Building Fund. Municipalities use this stable, predictable source of funding as they build and improve infrastructure that supports productivity, economic growth, the environment, strong cities, communities, and housing.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027-28

Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF)

Start date: 2024-25

End date: 2033-34

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) was launched in 2024 to support the accelerated construction and upgrading of essential infrastructure to support housing development to help to address the impacts of the housing crisis in communities of all sizes across Canada. CHIF aims to enable sustainable community growth through actions that enable housing densification and increase supply such as expanding existing system capacity to serve densifying populations, increasing system capacity through repairs and rehabilitation, and preserving functionality of systems already built to accommodate population growth.

The CHIF invests in both capital and planning projects that provide infrastructures needed to support growing communities and denser neighbourhoods. Core infrastructure that enables housing includes treatment and distribution systems for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater collection (including natural infrastructure), treatment and disposal systems, and systems to process, sort, divert, and dispose of solid waste.

The CHIF is delivered in two streams:

• The direct delivery stream: municipalities, Indigenous organizations or communities, and other eligible applicants can access funds directly from HICC to support pressing infrastructure needs that will enable more housing; and
• The provincial and territorial agreement stream delivered via agreements with the provinces and territories to support provincial and territorial priorities while advancing federal housing priorities as set out in bilateral agreements.

General targeted recipient groups: The Department may enter into agreements with eligible recipients such as:

• Provincial and territorial governments
• Municipal or regional governments
• Indigenous recipients.
• For-profit organizations.
• Not-for-profit organizations

Link to departmental result(s): 1.1: Facilitating housing supply in communities across Canada

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Housing Policy and Programming

Expected results: Through contribution agreements (direct delivery) and provincial and territorial agreements, CHIF will contribute to the Government of Canada's commitment to address the impacts of the housing crisis on communities of all sizes across Canada by supporting the creation of new homes and increasing densification.

This will be achieved through investments in a variety of projects related to the construction and upgrade of housing-enabling drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid-waste infrastructures.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2029-30

Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF)

Start date: 2021-22

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Public Transit Fund Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) was launched in July 2024. The CPTF builds on investments made under the Permanent Public Transit Program (PPTP) and will continue to support the projects approved under the PPTP. The now permanent program will continue supporting transit and active transportation with on-going predictable funding to address long-term transit goals.

The core objectives of the CPTF are to increase the use of public transit and active transportation relative to car travel; increase housing supply and affordability as part of complete, transit-oriented communities; contribute to climate change mitigation and resilience and; improve transportation options for all, especially equity-deserving groups. Ultimately, these core objectives will contribute to economic growth and prosperity, GHG emissions reductions and environmental sustainability, and a more inclusive Canada.

General targeted recipient groups: The Department may enter into agreements with eligible recipients, who will undertake eligible projects.

• Provincial and territorial governments
• Municipal or regional governments
• Indigenous recipients.
• For-profit organizations.
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities.
• Each stream also has additional requirements for Eligible Recipients

Link to departmental result(s): 2.2: Canadians increase the use of public transit or active transportation relative to personal vehicles

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Public Transit and Active Transportation

Expected results: Funding for public transit and active transportation infrastructure provides tangible benefits to Canadians by offering clean and affordable mobility options. In addition, agreements made between HICC and funding recipients will contain conditions related to housing, which will help to increase the supply of housing and support transit-oriented communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028-29

Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF)

Start date: 2016-17

End date: 2026-27^{Footnote 5}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and Clean Water and Wastewater Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program provides short-term funding of $2 billion to provide communities with more reliable water and wastewater systems so that both drinking water and effluent meet legislated standards. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has entered into contribution agreements with all provinces and territories for the delivery of CWWF. In turn, provinces and territories entered into agreements with eligible ultimate recipients to manage projects.

General targeted recipient groups: The CWWF provides contribution funding for water and wastewater infrastructure investments to provinces and territories. Other eligible recipients include: organizations designated by a province or territory and agreed to by the Department; municipal or regional governments established by provincial or territorial statute; or other entities providing water or wastewater services to communities, as designated by provinces and territories.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste

Expected results: Through funding agreements, the CWWF delivers funding to support projects that accelerate capital investments in water, wastewater, and storm water systems. It also supports planning for future system improvements that contribute to the objectives of clean economic growth and prosperity. Projects will lay the foundation for system upgrades which will allow municipalities to meet or exceed applicable water and wastewater guidelines and regulations.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF)

Start date: 2018-19

End date: 2034-35

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2025-26

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions of the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: DMAF is a national, competitive direct-delivery contribution program designed to support infrastructure projects that can mitigate current and future climate-related risks and disasters triggered by natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires, droughts, and seismic events.

The overall objective of the DMAF is to strengthen the resilience of Canadian communities at risk of infrastructure failure that could result in:

• Threats to health and safety;
• Threats to critical infrastructure, including interruptions in essential services;
• Significant disruptions in economic activity; and/or
• Increasingly high cost for recovery and replacement of infrastructure assets.

General targeted recipient groups: The DMAF provides contribution funding for infrastructure investments to the eligible recipients, including; provincial, territorial, municipal or regional governments established by or under provincial or territorial statute; a public sector body, a private sector body, including for-profit organizations and not-for-profit organizations; and Indigenous recipients (i.e., Indigenous governing body; a not-for-profit organization whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes; and an Indigenous development corporation).

Link to departmental result(s): 2.4: Canadian communities are planning for the impacts of climate change

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Resilient Infrastructure

Expected results: The DMAF will increase the capacity of infrastructure (both structural and natural) to adapt to climate change impacts, disasters triggered by natural hazards and extreme weather events. It will increase the ability of communities to adapt and withstand climate change impacts, disasters triggered by natural hazards and extreme weather events. Overall, it will lead to increased economic, environmental, and social resilience, and help ensure that infrastructure is managed in a more sustainable way.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB)

Start date: 2021-22

End date: 2028-29

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021-22

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for Green and Inclusive Community Buildings

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program aims to build more community buildings and improve existing ones - in particular in areas with populations experiencing higher needs - while also making the buildings more energy efficient and climate resilient. Budget 2024 extended the initial $1.5 billion five-year program and provided an additional $500 million in funding. This program supports green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings that serve high-needs, underserved communities across Canada.

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients under the program include: provincial, territorial, municipal, local or regional governments established by or under provincial or territorial statute; federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations; Indigenous recipients (i.e., Indigenous governing bodies; a not-for-profit organizations whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes; and not-for-profit Indigenous development corporations).

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure;

2.3: Communities across Canada are better prepared to meet net-zero emissions goals; and,

2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: The GICB program supports the first pillar of the Strengthened Climate Plan by making it easier for Canadians to improve the places in which they live and gather (e.g., making community buildings more inclusive and more accessible, by cutting pollution; reducing GHG emissions, increasing energy efficiency, building resiliency to climate change and encouraging new builds to adopt net zero standards), making life more affordable and creating thousands of good jobs.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026-27

Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF)

Start date: 2009-10

End date: 2029-30^{Footnote 6}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Green Infrastructure Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program supports environmental infrastructure projects that promote cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner land and water. Targeted investments in green infrastructure can contribute to improving the quality of the environment and a more sustainable economy over the longer term. There are five eligible categories of investment: wastewater infrastructure, green energy generation infrastructure, green energy transmission infrastructure, solid waste infrastructure, and carbon transmission and storage infrastructure. By providing up to 50 percent federal funding on a cost-shared basis, the fund leverages additional investments from other partners.

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients of the GIF include provinces, territories, local or regional governments, public sector bodies, not–for–profit private sector entities as well as for–profit private sector entities, either alone or in partnership with a province, territory or a government.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.3: Communities across Canada are better prepared to meet net-zero emission goals

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Resilient Infrastructure

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the Green Infrastructure Fund delivers funding to implement infrastructure that promotes cleaner air, cleaner water and cleaner land.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027-28

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)

Start date: 2017-18

End date: 2033-34

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The over $33 billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), will be instrumental in meeting HICC's overarching objectives to rebuild Canada's infrastructure for the 21st century. The program acknowledges that provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous communities are key partners for investments in infrastructure. To this end, the ICIP is delivered through Integrated Bilateral Agreements (IBAs) between HICC and provinces and territories that rely on a strong collaborative approach to successfully implement infrastructure projects.

Federal funding under the ICIP is being disbursed under four funding streams: public transit; green infrastructure; community, culture and recreation infrastructure; and rural and northern communities infrastructure

General targeted recipient groups: Provinces and territories are recipients of funding under the Integrated Bilateral Agreements (IBAs). Eligible ultimate recipients of funding under the ICIP program include provinces and territories, municipalities, public and private sector bodies (including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations), and Indigenous entities. ICIP promotes strong collaboration between all levels of government by advancing federally-established outcomes in a manner that is responsive to unique local, provincial and territorial circumstances. Provinces and territories, in consultation with municipalities and Indigenous communities, are responsible for identifying, prioritizing and submitting projects to HICC.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure

2.2: Canadians increase the use of public transit or active transportation relative to personal vehicles;

2.4: Canadian communities are planning for the impacts of climate change; and,

2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Public Transit and Active Transportation (Public Transit Infrastructure Stream);

Community Building (Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream; Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream; and, Arctic Energy Fund); and,

Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste (Green Infrastructure Stream)

Expected results: Through Integrated Bilateral Agreements, the ICIP delivers funding to support public transit; green infrastructure; community, culture and recreation infrastructure; and rural and northern communities’ infrastructure, with the overarching objective to rebuild Canada's infrastructure for the 21st century.

ICIP funding for provinces and territories has been fully allocated.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028-29

Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF)

Start date: 2021-22

End date: 2028-29

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Natural Infrastructure Fund

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The NIF is a grants and contributions program that aims to support the use, creation, and enhancement of natural infrastructure and hybrid infrastructure delivering community services and co-benefits. Natural infrastructure and hybrid infrastructure are increasingly recognized for their ability to provide services such as climate change resilience; access to nature and wellbeing; environmental quality; protection of biodiversity; jobs and economic growth; and carbon sequestration.

The objectives of the NIF are to: build community awareness of the opportunities offered by natural infrastructure; and, increase the use of natural infrastructure delivering multiple community services and benefits across the country.

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients under the program include: provincial, territorial, municipal, local or regional governments established by or under provincial or territorial statute; a private for-profit body if working in collaboration with another public eligible recipient (contributions only); federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit private organizations; Indigenous recipients (i.e., Indigenous governing body; a not-for-profit organization whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes; and an Indigenous development corporation).

Link to departmental result(s): 2.4: Canadian communities are planning for the impacts of climate change

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Resilient Infrastructure

Expected results: The NIF will build community awareness of the opportunities natural infrastructure offers and increase the use of natural infrastructure delivering multiple community services and benefits across the country. Ultimately, it will increase co-benefits resulting from the use of natural and hybrid infrastructure, such as creating jobs and enhancing access to nature.

This will be achieved by supporting investments in a variety of natural infrastructure or hybrid infrastructure projects that demonstrate provision of services and benefits for communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026-27

New Building Canada Fund–National Infrastructure Component (NBCF-NIC)

Start date: 2013-14

End date: 2030-31

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program supports projects of national significance that have broad public benefits, and that contribute to Canada's long-term economic growth and prosperity. The NIC is a merit-based application-driven program, and as such, there are no pre-determined provincial or territorial allocations.

General targeted recipient groups: Recipients of funding under the NBCF–NIC include provincial, territorial, and regional governments; band councils, public sector bodies established or owned by one of the aforementioned governments; private sector bodies; Canada Port Authorities; International Bridge and/or Tunnel Authorities; and U.S. federal and state–level transportation authorities.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the NBCF–NIC delivers funding to support projects that generate positive economic activity and productivity gains for the Canadian economy and reduces potential economic disruptions or foregone economic activity.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

New Building Canada Fund—Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component–National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP )

Start date: 2013-14

End date: 2032-33^{Footnote 7}

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: This program provides funding to support infrastructure projects of national and regional significance that contribute to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. The PTIC-NRP is an allocation-based program that recognizes and supports the important role that provinces, territories, and municipalities play in helping to build Canada's public infrastructure.

General targeted recipient groups: Recipients of funding under the PTIC-NRP include provincial, territorial, and regional governments; band councils, public sector bodies established or owned by one of the aforementioned governments; public or not-for-profit institutions that deliver post-secondary courses or programs; private sector bodies and designated airport authorities.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the PTIC-NRP delivers funding to support projects of national, regional and local significance that contribute to the objectives of economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. Projects will allow people and goods to move more freely; increase the potential for innovation and economic development; help to improve the environment and support stronger, safer communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

New Building Canada Fund–Provincial–Territorial Infrastructure Component–Small Communities Fund (PTIC–SCF):

Start date: 2013-14

End date: 2029-30

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The PTIC–SCF provides contribution funding for infrastructure projects in small communities with populations of 100,000 or less. Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada enters into funding agreements with provinces and territories for the implementation of the PTIC–SCF. In turn, the provinces and territories administer the project identification process in keeping with PTIC–SCF program parameters. The SCF is designed to leverage the resources and existing processes of provinces and territories in managing local projects, while ensuring federal accountability and oversight for the funding envelope.

General targeted recipient groups: Initial recipients are the provinces and territories who enter into agreements with the ultimate recipients.

Eligible ultimate recipients include provincial, territorial, and regional governments; band councils, public sector bodies established or owned by one of the aforementioned governments; public or not–for–profit institutions that deliver post–secondary courses or programs; private sector bodies, and designated airport authorities.

Link to departmental result(s): 2.5: Canadians have access to community assets

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Community Building

Expected results: Through contribution agreements, the PTIC–SCF delivers funding to support projects of national, regional and local significance that contribute to the objectives of economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. Projects will allow people and goods to move more freely, increase the potential for innovation and economic development, and help to improve the environment and support stronger, safer communities.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

Reaching Home

Start date: 2019-20

End date: 2027-28

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2019-20

Name of program terms and conditions: Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Terms and Conditions for Grants and Contributions

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy supports community-based responses to prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. Communities and service providers receive grants and contributions funding to support services targeted to individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in urban centres, rural and remote communities and the territories. This includes targeted supports to address homelessness among Indigenous peoples.

Reaching Home helps communities address local homelessness priorities using a more systems-based and data-driven approach. Communities must report publicly on community-wide outcomes. The program also collects and analyzes national homelessness data, and shares knowledge with communities, partners and stakeholders. Federally-funded projects, and federal leadership that fosters transformation of the sector, together promote the prevention and reduction of homelessness in Canada.

The Government of Canada is one of many funding partners to help address homelessness, and performance indicators and expected results are impacted by multiple factors. The program is a transfer payment program with non-repayable grants and contributions; however, some repayment clauses are outlined in the Reaching Home Terms and Conditions.

General targeted recipient groups: The program targets individuals, families, and Indigenous peoples who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness in urban centers, rural communities, and territories. The following recipients are eligible for funding:

• Not-for-profit organizations;
• Individuals;
• Municipalities;
• For-profit organizations;
• Public health and educational institutions;
• Indigenous organizations; and
• Provincial and territorial governments and their entities, including institutions and agencies.

These groups are eligible to receive funding and act as coordinators for activities. In Quebec, the Centres intégrés (universitaires) de santé et de services sociaux are eligible for funding consistent with a formal Canada-Quebec agreement. For-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and intent of the activity is:

• non-commercial;
• not intended to generate profit;
• based on fair market value.

The nature and intent of for-profit activities must also support program priorities and objectives. In addition, it must fit within the community plan (or identified local need where community plans are not required).

Link to departmental result(s): 1.2: Homelessness is reduced across Canada

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Homelessness Policy and Programming

Expected results: Expected results for Reaching Home include:

• Individuals and families experiencing homelessness are placed in more stable housing
• Individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness are provided with support
• Improved housing stability for individuals experiencing homelessness and those at imminent risk of homelessness
• Homelessness is prevented and reduced

Note: As the Government of Canada does not have sole jurisdiction over homelessness, this last expected result is considered a shared one with attribution distributed across a range of stakeholders, community service providers, and other orders of government.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.

Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund (STREF)

Start date: 2024-25

End date: 2026-27

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund (STREF): Terms and Conditions

Type of transfer payment: Grants

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The purpose of the STREF is to limit short-term rentals that take away units from the long-term rental market across the country.

The STREF provides grant funding to municipalities and Indigenous communities with existing strict regulatory regimes to support the local enforcement of short-term rental restrictions in an effort to make more long-term housing units available in Canada. This includes supporting the planning, implementation, enhancement, and review of short-term rental enforcement and compliance measures as well as increasing short-term rental enforcement and compliance capacity.

General targeted recipient groups: The general targeted recipient groups are those that have the highest volume of Short-Term Rentals (based on Statistics Canada data) and the most significant housing pressures. The following groups are eligible for STREF funding:

1. Indigenous Governing Bodies*, including but not limited to:
   1. A band council within the meaning of section 2 of the Indian Act;
   2. 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;
   3. A First Nation, Inuit or Métis government established by or under legislation whether federal or provincial or territorial that incorporates a governance structure;
2. Municipalities** (including upper-tier municipalities, which are regional municipalities formed by two or more lower-tier municipalities)

Note: Provinces and Territories are not eligible except where they play a primary role in enforcement for regulations that meet the STREF eligibility criteria. In such cases, the province or territory would need to receive consent from the municipality or Indigenous community and submit the consent form to HICC to receive funding. If a Province or Territory applies and obtains funding for a Municipality or Indigenous Governing Body, this Municipality or Indigenous Governing Body cannot apply separately to obtain funding.

*“Indigenous Governing Body” means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, community or people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. “Indigenous peoples of Canada” has the meaning assigned by the definition aboriginal peoples of Canada in subsection 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.

**Municipalities in Quebec are subject to Quebec's Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (chapter M-30). As such, municipal applicants must obtain prior authorization from the Province of Quebec before entering into an agreement with the federal government. In the Province of Alberta, the Provincial Priorities Act, 2024 (formerly Bill 18), may require provincial entities to obtain prior approval from Alberta's government before entering into an agreement with the federal government.

Link to departmental result(s): 1.1: Facilitating housing supply in communities across Canada

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Housing Policy and Programming

Expected results: Through the ultimate outcome “Improved enforcement leads to more opportunities for households to live in Acceptable Housing”, the Fund supports HICC’s Core Responsibility of improving Housing and Homelessness, the Prosperity domain of Canada’s Quality of Life Framework, as well as the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goal 11.1 ‘Canadians have access to quality housing.’ By improving compliance with regulations, the STREF would support a market with more long-term housing alternatives.

As STR compliance increases, the number of housing units with long-term occupancy are ultimately expected to increase either from STR operations being compliant, or from operations ending and those units entering the regular market. Long-term occupancy is captured though traditional surveys as private households and the shift to long-term occupancy resulting from the program would be visible at the community level via the increase in the proportion of privately occupied dwellings compared to the total number of private dwellings for participant communities. The increase in the number of private households is in turn expected to lead to an increase in the proportion that live in acceptable housing.

HICC will leverage project proposals, and annual progress reports to assess and report on the changes to enforcement processes and compliance results that STREF influenced directly and indirectly, to help inform the program outcomes.

Immediate outcomes

• Regulatory jurisdictions with strict STR regimes and defined need have increased capacity to address STR enforcement.

Intermediate outcomes

• Enhanced enforcement leads to greater compliance of STR restrictions related to principal residence and other rules which assist in protecting housing supply and affordability.
• STR listings are reduced, as a share of the overall housing market

Ultimate outcomes

• Better protection of the existing long-term housing supply helps to minimize loss of acceptable and affordable housing.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable, program is three-years only and therefore falls outside of the Financial Administration Act five-year scope.

Supporting Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative (SCRI)

Start date: 2023-24

End date: 2027-28

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions for the Supporting Climate Resilient Infrastructure Initiative

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The purpose of this initiative is to support evidence-based action on climate resilience and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of public infrastructure.

The objective of the SCRI initiative is to increase the capacity of infrastructure decision-makers to include low-carbon climate resilience considerations in infrastructure projects across Canada. HICC will support this objective by distributing funding to eligible recipients to create tools and resources, mobilize knowledge sharing to advance understanding of the impacts of climate change on infrastructure and share tangible actions and best practices to reduce these risks.

This program doesn’t have any repayable contributions.

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• Government
• International (non-government)

Link to departmental result(s): 2.1: Canadian communities have high-quality infrastructure;
2.3: Communities across Canada are better prepared to meet net-zero emissions goals; and,

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Resilient Infrastructure

Expected results: The SCRI initiative is ultimately expected to result in strengthening the overall resilience of infrastructure to climate change hazards leading to safer, more prosperous communities. It is also expected to facilitate collaborative partnerships and knowledge-sharing among infrastructure practitioners and climate experts.

Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure:

Immediate Outcome: Users have access to data, resources, and tools to support low carbon climate resilient infrastructure planning.

Performance Indicator: Number of users accessing data, resources and tools from the Climate Toolkit and support from the help desk.

Target: 120,000 platform webpage users access data, resources, and tools from the Climate Toolkit, and; 360 communities supported by the Help Desk and Roster of Experts.

Intermediate Outcome: Communities are using data, resources, and tools to inform climate resilience and mitigation in their infrastructure assessments and have enhanced capacity to consider climate impacts in planning and design activities.

Performance Indicator: Percentage of users that indicate they are better equipped to consider climate change in their infrastructure project following use of the Climate Toolkit supports.

Target: 70% of users indicate being better equipped to consider climate change in their infrastructure project.

Ultimate Outcome: Communities are implementing climate resilience and mitigation measures into their infrastructure projects.

Performance indicator: Percentage of public and municipal organizations that have factored climate change adaptation into their decision-making processes.

Climate-informed Codes, Standards, and Guidance:

Immediate Outcome: New climate resilient standardization strategies (e.g., standards and guidance) are identified to design, build and operate climate-resilient assets and systems across Canada (SCC).

Performance Indicator: Number of standardization strategies advanced that incorporate climate change considerations.

Target: Minimum of 50 new standardization strategies for the 2026-27 to 2027-28 period (by March 31, 2028) through the Standards Council of Canada – Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program initiative under the SCRI.

Immediate Outcome: The development of new and improved building codes, regulations, standards, and guides to take action against top climate change risks is accelerated (National Research Council).

Performance Indicator: Number of new standards and guidance documents produced.

Target: Minimum of 10 new standards and guidance documents for the 2026-27 to 2027-28 period (by March 31, 2028) through the National Research Council of Canada – Climate Resilient Built Environment initiative under the SCRI.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026-27

Toronto Waterfront Enabling Initiative (TWEI)

Start date: 2024-25

End date: 2034-35

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25

Name of program terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions of the Toronto Waterfront Enabling Initiative

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Toronto Waterfront Enabling Initiative (TWEI) supports the next phase of Toronto’s waterfront revitalization through two projects: the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Project (HEIP), which provides $325 million in federal investment for housing-enabling infrastructure (e.g., roads, and storm/waste water management system upgrades), and the Broadview Eastern Flood Protection Project (BEFP) which provides $200 million in federal investment towards flood protection infrastructure in the Lower Don Valley area. These projects are expected to enable the future development of over 14,000 housing units.

General targeted recipient groups: HEIP: The recipient is Waterfront Toronto (formerly the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation)

BEFP: the recipient is the Province of Ontario

Link to departmental result(s): 1.1: Facilitating housing supply in communities across Canada

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Housing Policy and Programming

Expected results: The Toronto Waterfront Enabling Initiative (TWEI) delivers funding for high-quality infrastructure to enable new housing units on Toronto’s waterfront. The program will enhance flood protection and climate resilience and invest in new water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, a well as roads and active transportation infrastructure, to ultimately enable over 14,000 new housing units.

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2029-30, as part of the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund

Veterans Homelessness Program (VHP)

Start date: 2023-24

End date: 2027-28

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24

Name of program terms and conditions: Veteran Homelessness Program - Terms and Conditions for Contributions

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted annually through Estimates

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The purpose of the Veteran Homelessness Program is to prevent and reduce Veteran homelessness in Canada. The program delivers contribution funding through two streams:

• Recipients funded under the Services and Supports Stream provide rent supplements and wrap-around services (such as counselling and addiction treatment) to Veterans experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.
• The Capacity Building Stream funds Recipients to research and improve data collection on Veteran homelessness, as well as increase capacity of organizations to deliver tailored initiatives to address the needs of Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The Veteran Homelessness Program has adopted a “Housing First” approach that will support Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness and is designed to meet their specific needs. The program also provides ongoing and comprehensive services and supports to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness over a four-year period, in order to maximize their chances of long-term success in being rehoused.

General targeted recipient groups: General Targeted Recipient Groups:

• Not‑for‑profit organizations;
• Municipalities;
• Indigenous organizations*;
• Public health, research organizations, educational institutions; and,
• Provincial and territorial governments and their entities, including departments, agencies and Crown corporations.

*Indigenous organizations may include, but are not limited to, Indigenous Development Corporations** and not‑for‑profit Indigenous controlled organizations, Indian Act Bands, Tribal Councils and Indigenous self‑government entities.

**Indigenous Development Corporations are normally set-up by an Indigenous community organization/government. These corporations constitute the business/economic component of Indigenous communities/governments and typically count the members of the community as their shareholders. Their primary role is to develop the economic activity of the Indigenous community that established them. Indigenous development corporations generally fall under two categories: for-profit and not-for-profit. The for-profit model however is unique in that profits are then re-invested in the community.

Link to departmental result(s): 1.2: Homelessness is reduced across Canada

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Homelessness Policy and Programming

Expected results: The Veteran Homelessness Program will result in:

• Veterans experiencing homelessness obtain more stable housing;
• Veterans at risk of homelessness maintain more stable housing;
• Improved housing stability for Veterans experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness; and,
• Veteran homelessness is reduced.

Note: As the Government of Canada does not have sole jurisdiction over homelessness, this last expected result is considered a shared one with attribution distributed across a range of stakeholders, community service providers, and other orders of government. 

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be determined, previous evaluation completed in 2025-26.