Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund

Program Details

The CSIF has been helping to support large-scale projects of major federal and regional significance in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of Canadians.

Selecting and Funding CSIF Projects

Most CSIF funding has been committed, except for limited funding remaining in Ontario, Yukon, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Projects are typically chosen according to regional and national infrastructure priorities, in consultation with provinces and territories. Proponents work with provincial / territorial and municipal (if applicable) officials responsible for infrastructure development to have projects identified as priorities.

Funding and Investment Criteria

Under the CSIF, the contribution of the Government of Canada was set to a maximum of 50 per cent of total eligible costs. A broad range of partnerships have been set to fulfil regional priorities.

As there are vast differences in the populations of Canada's provinces and territories, we established a threshold formula for defining "large-scale" projects. This ensures that funded projects are large-scale and strategic within the context of the province or territory in which they are located.

• In Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories where populations are under 750,000, total eligible project costs must be at least $10 million.
  
• In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where populations range between 750,000 and 1.5 million, the threshold is at least $25 million.
  
• In Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia where populations are over 1.5 million, the threshold is at least $75 million of total costs.

Investment Categories

Highway and Railway Infrastructure

• Facilitate the movement of goods and people on Canada's National Highway System, or highways that connect to the National Highway System and mainline rail network.
• Increase the productivity, economic efficiency, and safety of Canada's surface transportation system

Local Transportation Infrastructure

• Facilitate the safe and efficient movement of goods and people, ease congestion, or reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and airborne pollutants.
• Help address priorities such as climate change.
• Invest in public transportation in Canada's major urban centres and help our communities work better and be healthier places to live.

Tourism or Urban Development Infrastructure

• Promote Canada as a leading destination for tourists or promote urban development.
• Ensure that tourism continues to contribute to the economic well being of Canadians and serves as a bridge between Canada and the world.

Water or Sewage Infrastructure

• Provide for safe, clean, and reliable drinking water, or provide for the environmentally responsible and sustainable treatment of wastewater.
• Improve water and wastewater facilities to not only benefit the quality of life and the health of Canadians, but to also help protect aquatic habitat and promote economic growth.

Broadband

• Expand broadband networks in Canada.
• Ensure that Canadians who live and work in rural and remote communities have access to services such as distance learning and tele-health and can seize more business opportunities.
• Help Canada maintain its international leadership.