Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia’s Premier David Eby have announced a new partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to transform, connect, and modernize communities across the province. Over the next 10 years, the Government of Canada is investing more than $5 billion in British Columbia’s local infrastructure through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF).

“This new partnership with British Columbia will help cut the costs of building, unlock new housing supply, and get shovels in the ground sooner,” says Gregor Robertson, minister of housing and infrastructure. “At the same time, we’re investing in critical infrastructure to support growing communities. By working together with the province and municipalities, we’re making it easier to build the homes British Columbians need, while creating good jobs and supporting strong, growing communities.”

Of the $5 billion, the Government of Canada will invest nearly $1.6 billion over 10 years — matched by British Columbia for a total of up to $3.2 billion — to lower development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50 percent in priority communities, saving up to $40,000 per unit, and expand housing-enabling infrastructure such as water systems, wastewater systems, and local roads.

To further accelerate homebuilding in British Columbia, the Government of Canada has introduced legislation to provide a one-time $284 million transfer to the province to reduce barriers to new construction.

The federal and provincial governments also agreed to launch the new Canada-British Columbia Partnership on Condo Conversion. Together, through Build Canada Homes and BC Housing, we will leverage innovative financing tools to convert more than 2,200 vacant condo units in priority growth areas into affordable homes.