Ontario Construction News staff writer
All levels of government have finalized a renewed Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) agreement, ensuring critical infrastructure supporting housing is built, maintained, and expanded. The federal government has allocated $4.7 billion over the next five years.
In a joint statement, Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities; Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto; and Colin Best, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), emphasized the agreement’s significance. It will guarantee that vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and transit systems are prepared for growth.
The CCBF aids municipalities in planning their project schedules by offering predictable and sustainable funding.
Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), welcomed the news, stating the $4.7 billion infrastructure funding over five years is crucial for Ontario’s municipalities. She highlighted the pressing need to address the growing backlog in infrastructure maintenance, particularly in Toronto, facing a $26 billion shortfall.
Renewing the CCBF demonstrates a commitment to building strong and sustainable communities, according to the Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA). Walid Abou-Hamde, ORBA’s Chief Executive Officer, stressed that the investment will not only enhance the transportation network but also address Ontarians’ housing needs.
Government representatives emphasized the importance of infrastructure in increasing Canada’s housing supply. They pledged to strategically invest in projects aligned with regional housing goals to boost affordable housing in Ontario.
“This significant investment will not only enhance our transportation network but also play a crucial role in addressing the housing needs of Ontarians,” said Walid Abou-Hamde, ORBA chief executive officer.
“We recognize the importance of infrastructure in increasing Canada’s housing supply,” said the government representatives in their joint statement. “By working together to strategically invest in projects aligned with regional housing goals, we will help increase the number of affordable homes in Ontario.”
Officials from all levels of government highlighted three priority goals: reporting on affordable units created to meet community needs, leveraging public lands for housing, and supporting innovation in construction techniques. They committed to a provincial innovation strategy for modular and prefabricated housing, collaborating with the federal government to develop and adopt a design catalogue.