The 2014 New Building Canada Plan
Frequently Asked Questions

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2014 New Building Canada Fund

What does "nationally significant" mean in relation to projects funded under the New Building Canada Fund?

The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component supports projects of national significance, that have broad public benefits, and that contribute to Canada's long-term economic growth and prosperity. The National Infrastructure Component will be merit-based, guided by federal priorities.

To be considered nationally significant, projects must support one or more of the following objectives:

  • Generate positive economic activity;
  • Generate productivity gains for the Canadian economy; or,
  • Provide benefits that extend beyond the provinces or territories where the project would be located.

Please refer to the National Infrastructure Component page for more information about the project intake process and detailed requirements for preparing a project business case.

The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component provides funding to support infrastructure projects of national, regional and local significance that contribute to objectives related to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. To support a maximum range of infrastructure needs, the PTIC is divided into two sub-components:

  • National and Regional Projects: $9-billion for projects that are nationally and regionally significant, and are predominantly medium- and large scale in nature; and
  • Small Communities Fund: $1-billion for projects in communities under 100,000 residents, designed to ensure that small communities have access to significant funding in support of economic prosperity.

National Infrastructure Component

How do I apply for funding under the National Infrastructure Component?

At this time, Infrastructure Canada is no longer accepting additional applications under the NBCF –National Infrastructure Component (NIC).

Please note that the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component remains an available source of funds for project as part of the New Building Canada Fund until March 31, 2018.

The Government is currently engaging provinces, territories, municipal and Indigenous leaders, as well as global institutional investors and other stakeholders to identify the right mix of infrastructure funding programs to meet Canadians' needs and to position Canada's economy for the future.

How are projects selected for funding under the National Infrastructure Component?

The $4-billion National Infrastructure Component (NIC) supports projects of national significance, that have broad public benefits, and that contribute to Canada's long-term economic growth and prosperity. Project funding is determined by merit, guided by federal priorities.

Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component

How do I apply for funding under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects?

The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component provides funding to support infrastructure projects of national, regional and local significance that contribute to objectives related to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. To support a maximum range of infrastructure needs, the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component is divided into two sub-components:

  • National and Regional Projects: $9-billion for projects that are nationally and regionally significant, and are predominantly medium- and large scale in nature; and
  • Small Communities Fund: $1-billion for projects in communities under 100,000 residents, designed to ensure that small communities have access to significant funding in support of economic prosperity.

If you are an eligible recipient for National and Regional Projects and would like to have your project considered for funding under the PTIC–NRP, you are encouraged to contact your provincial or territorial ministry responsible for infrastructure for National and Regional Projects to determine the process for submitting business cases and deadlines. Provinces and territories are required to prioritize projects for all outstanding 2014 NBCF-PTIC funding allocations by April 1, 2018.

A Business Case Guide is available to assist in the development of business cases respectively. Business cases under the PTIC–NRP will only be accepted for projects that have been identified by provincial and territorial partners, and that are deemed eligible under the program terms and conditions.

Infrastructure Canada contact information - for Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component

General questions and comments on the PTIC program can be addressed to Infrastructure Canada:

Email: info@infc.gc.ca
Telephone Infrastructure Canada: 613-948-1148
Toll Free Number: 1-877-250-7154
Mailing Address:
Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component
180 Kent Street, Suite 1100
Ottawa, ON
K1P 0B6

How long will it take for my project under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects to be approved?

Infrastructure Canada officials will work closely with project proponents and to ensure all information required is received to complete the necessary federal reviews in a timely manner.

What new categories have been added in 2016 to the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?

To provide additional flexibility to address the wide range of infrastructure pressures in different regions of the country, five new categories have been added: culture, recreation, tourism, civic assets and municipal buildings, and passenger ferries. 

What roads are eligible under Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?

Under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component, a highway or road may be eligible for funding if it falls in one of the following subcategories:

  • Part of the National Highway System (including core, feeder and northern categories);
  • Highways and roads that carry or are projected to carry annual average daily traffic of at least 1,000 in freight and/or passenger traffic; for the Small Communities Fund, carry freight and/or passenger traffic of any traffic volume.
  • Road/rail grade separations on one of the above highways or roads.
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems that are compliant with the National Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture and the Border Information Flow Architecture, in support of highways and roads infrastructure.

Why are First Nations able to access Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component funding given the federal responsibility for First Nations infrastructure?

An allocation of $155 million from the 2014 New Building Canada Fund for First Nations infrastructure on-reserve in the provinces will be delivered through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) under the First Nations Infrastructure Fund. That fund, along with other INAC programs, will continue to provide the primary means of addressing on-reserve infrastructure pressures in the provinces.

However, recognizing that a province may identify a priority project that is located partially or entirely on reserve, the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component has been designed to ensure that such projects would be eligible where they are aligned with program parameters.

On-reserve projects in the territories will be considered for funding in a similar manner to other territorial projects, given that the basis for the $155-million allocation for the First Nations Infrastructure Fund did not include on-reserve populations in the territories.

How are local and regional airports defined for the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?

Under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects, local and regional airports are defined as those sites having scheduled passenger traffic, not located in the national capital or a provincial/territorial capital.

Airports that are part of Canada's National Airports System (NAS) are ineligible for funding under this category.

Smaller NAS airports located in the Territories will nonetheless continue to be eligible to receive federal funding under the Northern Infrastructure category of the Provincial-Territorial Component should Territorial governments choose to prioritize airport projects for funding.

Why are post-secondary institutions eligible under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects?

The Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - National and Regional Projects includes an Innovation category to support advanced research and teaching at post-secondary institutions. In addition, cultural or recreational infrastructure projects proposed by universities and colleges can be considered provided that they respect the requirements of those categories and include a public access agreement with the municipality. In order to be considered for funding, such institutions must be:

  • 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; or
  • A public or not-for-profit Aboriginal-controlled post-secondary institution.

Small Communities Fund

What is the Small Communities Fund?

Ten percent of each province's allocation, and a minimum of ten percent of each territory's allocation under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component will be reserved for the Small Communities Fund for municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents, based on the 2011 Census.

This funding for small communities is in addition to the almost $22-billion that all municipalities will receive through the permanent and indexed federal Gas Tax Fund over the next decade, as well as $10.4-billion under the Goods and Services Tax Rebate for Municipalities (managed by Canada Revenue Agency).

How are roads defined under the Small Communities Fund?

Under the Small Communities Fund, all highways and roads, including bridges are considered eligible.

How do I apply for funding under the Small Communities Fund?

The $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component provides funding to support infrastructure projects of national, regional and local significance that contribute to objectives related to economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities. Out of that funding, $1-billion is for projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents through the Small Communities Fund.

The Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - Small Communities Fund 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. The $1-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component - Small Communities Fund will allow provinces and territories to manage local projects, while ensuring federal accountability and oversight of the funding envelope.

Canada will enter into Funding Agreements with each province and territory for the implementation of the Small Communities Fund. In turn, provinces and territories will manage the project identification process in keeping with Small Communities Fund program parameters.

All proposed projects must provide basic information that includes the name of the municipality, title of the project, the eligible category and subcategory, a brief description of the project, financial information, project location as well as planned start and end dates.

If you are an eligible recipient for Small Communities Fund and would like to have your project considered for funding under the PTIC, you are encouraged to contact your respective provincial or territorial ministry responsible for infrastructure for Small Communities Fund. You can also learn more about how the Small Communities Fund works by reading the Program Overview.

Contact Information

  • British Columbia
    • Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Alberta
    • Alberta Infrastructure
  • Saskatchewan
    • Ministry of Government Relations
  • Manitoba
    • Manitoba Municipal Government
  • Ontario
    • Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
  • Quebec
    • Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor-Sous-secrétariat aux infrastructures publiques
  • New Brunswick
    • Department of Environment and Local Government
  • Nova Scotia
    • Finance and Treasury Board
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
    • Department of Transportation and Works
  • Yukon
    • Department of Community Services
  • Northwest Territories
    • Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
  • Nunavut
    • Community and Government Services

Infrastructure Canada contact information

General questions and comments on the PTIC program can be addressed to Infrastructure Canada:

Email: info@infc.gc.ca
Telephone Infrastructure Canada: 613-948-1148
Toll Free Number: 1-877-250-7154
Mailing Address:
Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component
180 Kent Street, Suite 1100
Ottawa, ON  K1P 0B6

How long will it take for my project to be approved for the Small Communities Fund?

All projects submitted for funding consideration under the SCF must be identified by the respective province or territory.

Infrastructure Canada officials will work closely with provinces and territories to ensure all information required is received to complete the necessary federal reviews in a timely manner. The details on the project identification and selection process will be finalized in the funding agreements that will be negotiated with each province and territory.

Will wastewater infrastructure be eligible under the Small Communities Fund to help municipalities meet the new federal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations?

Improvements to wastewater infrastructure will be eligible for federal funding under the Small Communities Fund. This includes investments in wastewater treatment infrastructure to protect and enhance the environment. Wastewater infrastructure is also eligible under the new Canadian Water and Wastewater Fund and the Gas Tax Fund for municipalities.

Gas Tax Fund

How are projects selected for funding under the federal Gas Tax Fund?

Each year, the federal Gas Tax Fund assists municipalities by providing funding for local infrastructure projects. To date, $13-billion has been invested in municipalities through the federal Gas Tax Fund, with close to $22-billion to flow over the next 10 years.

The federal Gas Tax Fund has been extended, doubled from $1-billion to $2-billion annually, and legislated as a permanent source of federal infrastructure funding for municipalities. In addition, the renewed federal GTF is being indexed at two per cent per year, to be applied in $100 million increments, which means that it will grow by $1.8-billion over the next decade.

Funding is provided up front, twice-a-year, to provinces and territories, who in turn flow this funding to their municipalities to support local infrastructure priorities. Municipalities can pool, bank and borrow against this funding, providing significant financial flexibility.

Funding Allocations

How much money is allocated to each province and territory under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component?

Each province and territory is allocated a specific amount of funding under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component. Funding amounts are allocated to each province and territory over the 10-year duration of the 2014 New Building Canada Fund (2014-2024).

The allocations are calculated using the same formula used under the 2007 Building Canada Fund. Each province and territory will receive base funding in the amount of $250 million ($25 million per year over 10 years) plus a per-capita amount based on the 2011 Census.

Jurisdiction Base Funding Per Capita Total Funding
Newfoundland and Labrador $250,000,000 $99,018,276 $349,018,276
Prince Edward Island $250,000,000 $27,039,852 $277,039,852
Nova Scotia $250,000,000 $176,494,164 $426,494,164
New Brunswick $250,000,000 $143,637,228 $393,637,228
Quebec $250,000,000 $1,519,473,480 $1,769,473,480
Ontario $250,000,000 $2,470,342,980 $2,720,342,980
Manitoba $250,000,000 $217,085,904 $714,585,904*
Saskatchewan $250,000,000 $186,658,080 $436,658,080
Alberta $250,000,000 $691,913,376 $941,913,376
British Columbia $250,000,000 $839,897,436 $1,302,197,436*
Yukon $250,000,000 $6,584,172 $256,584,172
Northwest Territories $250,000,000 $8,054,424 $258,054,424
Nunavut $250,000,000 $6,200,628 $319,900,628*
Canada $3,250,000,000 $6,392,400,000 $10,165,900,000

*NOTE: The allocation for Manitoba includes additional top-up funding of $247.5 million for the Lake Manitoba/Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel Flood Mitigation project, the allocation for British Columbia includes additional top-up funding of $212.3 million for the Lion’s Gate Wastetwater Treatment Project, and the allocation for Nunavut includes additional top-up funding of $63.7 million for the Iqaluit marine infrastructure project.  Ten per cent (10%) of the total PTIC allocation of each province, and a minimum of ten per cent (10%) of the total PTIC allocation of each territory, will go towards the PTIC–SCF.

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