The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent at the end of May.
Latest News
CPWA Board Members Participate in Successful Hill Day
Members of the CPWA Board participated in a series of productive meetings in Ottawa on April 14 with members of Parliament, senior government officials, and key ministerial staff. These meetings addressed a range of priority issues for CPWA, including climate resilient infrastructure, water resilience, emergency management, and disaster mitigation.
Engaging with stakeholders during Hill Day is a key component of CPWA’s advocacy efforts. These discussions enable CPWA to gather insights, elevate its profile among a wide range of federal decision‑makers, and create opportunities to serve as a trusted resource to government partners.
During the meetings, the CPWA Board congratulated the federal government on the successful launch of the Building Communities Stronger Fund and expressed appreciation for the direct-to-community stream, which should provide CPWA members with faster access to critical funding.
In the board’s meeting with the office of the Minister for Emergency Management and Community Resilience, CPWA was invited to serve as a resource for the minister’s team as they continue to develop the Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN). Meetings with MPs addressed local infrastructure developments while supporting relationship‑building efforts. In parallel, engagements with Housing Infrastructure Canada (HICC) and the minister’s parliamentary secretary allowed CPWA to provide input on existing funding programs and underscore emerging infrastructure risks, including cyber and IT threats.
These meetings reinforced the importance of engaging directly with policymakers to enhance CPWA’s visibility and influence.
CPWA Responds to Finance Committee’s Pre-Budget Consultation
Building on the momentum generated from CPWA’s successful Ottawa Hill Day, the association is responding to the House of Commons Finance Committee’s pre-budget consultations. This response places CPWA’s priority issues on the radar of key MPs and strengthens the association’s positioning on federal activities. The submission highlights the launch of Canada’s Build Community Strong Fund and applauds the federal government’s efforts to prioritize infrastructure development.
Additionally, CPWA calls on the government to increase municipal integration in decision-making for major projects under the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5). CPWA highlights that early municipal engagement on fast-tracked projects is critical, as municipalities manage the infrastructure that enables private investment, and it gives municipalities time to align with federal timelines.
CPWA also continues to advocate for strong emergency management and disaster resilience programs, including full access to Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) for first responders, hazard preparedness funding through a fully indexed education program, and accelerated flood mapping for communities.
CPWA’s pre-budget response further emphasizes the ongoing importance of water resilience. CPWA calls for sustained funding to support modern water and wastewater systems in communities of all sizes, without restricting access to disadvantaged communities. Additionally, CPWA highlights the need for improved drought preparedness and response planning.
CPWA’s submission aims to drive federal decision-making on resilient, modern, and climate aligned infrastructure, and emphasizes the importance of embedding municipalities in federal decision making on these critical issues to ensure Canada’s economic future remains resilient.
Canada Launches Build Communities Strong Fund
CPWA welcomed the rollout of the $51 billion Build Communities Strong Fund to accelerate construction of essential infrastructure, including health facilities, transit, water systems, post-secondary institutions, and community spaces. The fund is designed to nearly double the pace of federal infrastructure investment, delivering close to $12 billion annually over the next eight years. It will serve as a force multiplier by leveraging $17 billion in provincial cost matching, alongside additional municipal, territorial, and private sector investment. Funding is delivered through three streams: a provincial and territorial stream focused on health, housing-enabling, and post-secondary infrastructure; a direct delivery stream for regionally significant and climate-resilient projects; and a community stream supporting essential local infrastructure.
Provinces will be required to reduce construction barriers, including development charges that constrain housing delivery. The fund is supported by the Buy Canadian Policy, ensuring public investments strengthen Canadian industries, jobs, and economic resilience. The first tranche of projects includes funding for:
- Cornwall, Prince Edward Island – Water and wastewater expansion to support growth
- Bridgewater, Nova Scotia – Sewer upgrades to enable housing development
- Halifax, Nova Scotia – Water and wastewater extensions for residential growth
- Iqaluit, Nunavut – Trucked and utilidor infrastructure to enable new housing
- Quispamsis, New Brunswick – Water system expansion to support new housing
- Hay River, Northwest Territories – New water treatment facility
- Laval, Québec – Street redesign to support area redevelopment
- Brampton, Ontario – Multi use community and recreation centre
- Headingley, Manitoba – Water reservoir and pumping station for housing growth
- Regina, Saskatchewan – Sewer capacity upgrades for future growth
- St. Albert, Alberta – Water and wastewater system expansion
- Vancouver, British Columbia – Zero carbon community centre
- Whitehorse, Yukon – Active transportation corridor development
Canada Releases Flood Tracking Tool
The Government of Canada announced that technical development of Canada’s Flood Risk Finder—the country’s first national, publicly-accessible flood risk platform—is complete. Provinces and territories can now opt in to make local flood risk information available to residents through a single, searchable portal. The tool will allow Canadians to assess flood risk for a specific address using a simple four level scale, helping to improve awareness, emergency preparedness, and resilience. Public Safety Canada will work with jurisdictions this summer to support participation, with public rollout occurring as provinces and territories join.
Government of Canada Releases Nature Strategy
The Government of Canada has released a new strategy, A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature. The vision of the strategy is to protect and restore nature as a foundation of Canada’s economy and sovereignty, helping to ensure resilient communities and healthy ecosystems. The strategy will be delivered through three pillars: Protecting Nature in Canada; Building Canada Well; and Valuing Nature by Mobilizing Capital. Notably, the second pillar, Building Canada Well, focuses on integrating Canada’s nature and economic agendas to support timely development decisions while protecting nature, including offsetting the environmental impacts of development.
Parliamentary Business
Mark Carney Gains Majority Government
Nearly a year after the general election, Prime Minister Carney now leads a narrow majority government in the House of Commons. The shift provides greater stability for both the government and the public service, removing the near-term risk of an election and enabling a more predictable governing environment. With control of the legislative agenda and committee process, the government is better positioned to advance its priorities. As the spring legislative session moves forward, attention is focused on strengthening Canada’s trade diversification efforts, preparing for the upcoming CUSMA review, and responding to ongoing affordability pressures at home.
Government Tables Spring Economic Update
The government tabled its 2026 Spring Economic Update in the House of Commons. At a high level, the update presents a somewhat improved fiscal outlook compared to the projections set out in the November 2025 budget. The federal deficit is now expected to reach $66.9 billion in the current fiscal year, down from an earlier forecast of $78.3 billion. This improvement largely reflects stronger-than-expected GDP growth and higher federal revenues, driven in part by elevated oil prices. While much of the update reiterates measures that were previously announced, including the Build Community Strong Fund and the Nature Strategy. It also includes several new funding commitments and policy initiatives. Measures that are likely to attract the most public attention include:
- The Canada Strong Fund, Canada’s first sovereign wealth fund. The fund will receive an initial endowment of $25 billion over three years and will focus on providing equity financing for projects in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, and mining.
- Team Canada Strong, a new nationwide initiative aimed at recruiting, training, and hiring up to 100,000 skilled trades workers by 2031, supported by close to $6 billion in funding over five years.
- New measures aimed at enabling homebuilding and improving affordability for Canadians, including targeted initiatives related to housing, energy costs, and household expenses.
Federal Funding Awarded
Federal Government Invests in Rural Public Transit Planning in New Brunswick
A $100,000 federal investment will support planning and research to improve rural public transit in southern New Brunswick through two projects. The Fundy Regional Service Commission will receive $50,000 to assess community transit needs and conduct public engagement as part of a regional transit planning initiative. The Southeast Regional Service Commission will also receive $50,000 to conduct public transportation research aimed at improving connectivity among communities. Together, these projects will help develop new transit solutions that enable rural and remote residents to better access work, education, healthcare, services, and social connections.
Federal Government Invests Water Management in North Vancouver
More than $249,000 in federal funding will support natural infrastructure improvements at Moodyville Park to strengthen stormwater management and enhance local environmental quality. The project will restore greenspace and boost biodiversity by removing invasive plants and planting roughly 10,000 native, climate‑resilient shrubs and nearly 1,300 trees. These actions will improve soil health, stabilize stream banks, reinforce the urban forest, and enhance habitat connectivity. Once completed, the project will support the return of native species, strengthen wildlife corridors, and contribute to the long‑term resilience and sustainability of the local ecosystem.
Federal and Provincial Government Invests in Mississauga Public Transit
The federal, provincial, and municipal government is investing $14.3 million in joint funding to support major improvements to public transit and active transportation in the City of Mississauga. The investment will help prepare transit facilities for electric buses, supporting the city’s goal to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining reliable transit service. Additional funding will support planning and design work for new cycling infrastructure, improving safety, connectivity, and making it easier for residents to travel sustainably across the city.
Federal Government and New Brunswick Invest in Water and Sewer Infrastructure
More than $4.7 million in combined federal, provincial, and municipal funding will support critical water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure upgrades to enable new housing development in Caraquet, New Brunswick. The investment will fund road extensions, new fully-serviced streets, and supporting infrastructure, including fire hydrants and utility connections.
Canada Invests in EV Infrastructure
The Government of Canada is investing $11.7 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and support EV adoption nationwide. Funding will support 14 projects to install more than 1,600 EV chargers across Canada. Additional funding will allow Plug’n Drive to continue its cross country EV test drive tour, helping Canadians in smaller and medium sized communities learn about EV options and benefits. Together, these investments support Canada’s auto strategy, reduce transportation emissions, and help position Canada as a global leader in clean transportation technologies.
