Canada Invests $40M in Saskatchewan Community Infrastructure  

The Canadian government has continuous goals to grow, enhance, and support the country’s economy by providing funding programs that support all provinces. By investing in infrastructure with Canadian government grants, the goal is to increase resiliency in communities and improve the lives of Canadians by offering more room to implement programming that focuses on mental and physical health.  

The federal Canadian government and the provincial Government of Saskatchewan have announced an investment of more than $40 million in joint government funding for nine community infrastructure projects across the regions of Saskatchewan. 

One of the nine projects that will benefit from this funding is the construction of a new community recreation facility in the city of Martensville, Saskatchewan. The facility will have a regulation-sized ice rink with spectator seating, a skate change area, as well as several other indoor areas, including an artificial turf, rock climbing wall, a playground, multipurpose rooms, change rooms, washrooms, and concession areas.  

“Infrastructure investments help create healthy, connected, and resilient communities. Once these projects are completed, residents of Martensville will be able to stay active in a new multipurpose facility, and residents of Muskoday First Nation will have a dedicated space to promote and transmit their cultural traditions.” 
– Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities  

Grants and Loans Supporting Canadian Communities  

The federal government and the Government of Saskatchewan are contributing more than $40 million through several streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a program that supports economic growth of inclusive communities with Canadian government grants while helping establish a low-carbon economy, along with other government funding programs focusing on community revitalization.  

The ICIP has dozens of goal-specific government funding streams which are currently open for intake and have a core focus on helping Canadian businesses improve their local communities. For example, the Zero Emission Transit Fund helps communities purchase zero emission buses to support clean technology infrastructure. 

The following list highlights a few top Canadian grants and loans programs currently open for applications which support community revitalization in Canada. To find out more about eligibility criteria, please visit the program page linked with the program name title: 

Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF)  

This program supports communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic with a two-year initiative that offers $500 million in national infrastructure funding. Communal spaces, such as farmers’ markets and parks, are strong examples of structures that promote a well-balanced society. CCRF is an important step in getting Canadians back into social public settings safely and effectively. 

• Funding Amount: The CCRF delegates up to a maximum of $750,000 – $1 million in government funding to cover up to 75% of total expenses for a project.  
• Timeline: Eligible applicants should apply now, as applications opened on June 23, 2021, with the program set to expire March 31, 2023. 

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) 

This program is a $54M federal government funding program that provides support for projects that improve the physical condition of arts and heritage collaboration, creation, presentation, and exhibition spaces. These infrastructure improvements should also increase access to Canadian arts and culture. 

• Funding Amount: Up to 50% of expenses to a maximum of $500k – $15M 
• Timeline: The CCSF program will continue to accept applications until the government funding pool is depleted. No formal deadlines have been specified at this time. 

Canada Growth Fund (CGF) 

This program aims to help Canada secure the significant private capital it needs to accelerate the deployment of technologies needed to reduce carbon emissions and grow its economy. 

• Funding Amount: Among the tools Canada Growth Fund will have is the ability to offer innovative concessional financing instruments, including those that combine above-market risk with the flexibility to earn below-market returns, thus distinguishing CGF from: Proponents who receive funding through grants and contributions; and proponents who are provided with commercial financing on a market-based basis. 

• Timeline: The Canada Growth Fund has not officially opened but is likely to open early 2023. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when intakes begin. 

Government Funding for Saskatchewan Businesses  

If you are looking for more grants, loans, and tax credits available specifically for businesses in Saskatchewan, please visit our Western Canada Funding Directory where you will find active programs such as the ones listed above and other more region-specific ones such as the Agtech Growth Fund (AGF). 

As part of the AGF program, eligible businesses involved in Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector will be able to receive up to $450,000 in funding for research and development (R&D) projects that are relevant to their sector activities and goals. 

To stay up to date with all funding programs across the provinces of Canada, please register for our free weekly Mentor Works e-newsletter which includes information about government funding updates, new intakes, success stories like this one, business strategy blogs, upcoming webinars, and more.