University and College Public Infrastructure Projects Eligible Under the Building Canada Fund

"The Government of Canada is well aware of the important role that universities and colleges play in many communities across the country. For example, in some communities, sports and cultural infrastructure is provided by the local university or college," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "During our consultations, our provincial, territorial and municipal partners stressed the importance of providing long-term, stable funding for infrastructure. By enabling universities and colleges to receive funding under the Building Canada plan, we are further responding to this need, which will result in more infrastructure projects that promote a stronger economy, cleaner environment and better communities, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction and in keeping with the spirit of open federalism."

Many categories of investment under Building Canada may be of interest to universities and colleges, including those related to sports and cultural infrastructure, as well as broadband and brownfield redevelopment.

Public universities and colleges accredited according to provincial and territorial laws will have the opportunity to apply for project funding under the existing eligible infrastructure categories of the Building Canada Fund.

The Fund aims at improving public infrastructure for the benefit of Canadians. Therefore, project proposals from universities and colleges must have formal municipal support and demonstrate that they benefit the broader community in which the institution is located. In addition to respecting the terms and conditions of the program, projects must also include a municipal contribution of at least 10 per cent of the eligible project costs, and must also have a provincial or territorial contribution that at least matches that of the federal government for each project. All projects will be subject to federal due diligence review and to all the regular terms and conditions of the applicable Building Canada Fund category. In addition, the proposal must also include provisions to ensure pre-defined community access to the facility of at least 60 per cent of the operational time of the facility.

Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada is supporting a stronger, safer and better country.

For further information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

BACKGROUNDER

Building Canada Fund

ELIGIBILITY OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

Canadian universities and colleges accredited according to provincial and territorial laws may apply for public infrastructure project funding under the eligible infrastructure categories of the Building Canada Fund, a component of the Building Canada Plan, subject to meeting the conditions listed below.

Eligible Infrastructure Categories

- National Priority Categories

  - Water, Wastewater, Public Transit, Core National Highway Systems, Green
    Energy

- Local and Community Priority Categories

  - Brownfield Redevelopment, Culture, Sports, Connectivity and Broadband,
    Tourism, Local Roads, Short-line Railways, Short Sea Shipping, Regional
    and Local Airports, Disaster Mitigation, Solid Waste Management.

University and college infrastructure projects that do not fall within these categories, such as offices, laboratories, research facilities and dormitories, are not eligible for funding.

For further information on and conditions for eligible categories, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

Terms of Access

Regionally or nationally significant projects benefiting communities of over 100,000 people fall under the Major Infrastructure Component of the BCF. To be considered for funding by federal and provincial/territorial governments under this component, university and college proponents should make their project known to the provincial and federal governments. If it is considered a priority, the proponents will be required to submit a detailed business case.

Projects benefiting communities of under 100,000 people may be considered through the Communities Component of the BCF once a call for applications has been launched with the province or territory under a signed framework agreement. Please refer to www.buildingcanada.gc.ca for details on the application process in each jurisdiction.

Further, to be considered for potential support, all projects must

- Be eligible under a Building Canada Fund category;

- Respect all terms and conditions of the relevant Building Canada Fund infrastructure category;

- Come from an accredited university or college;

- Be formally endorsed by a resolution of support from the municipal council where the educational body is located, as part of the project application;

- Have a municipal financial contribution of at least ten percent (10%) of the total eligible costs of the proposed project;

- Have a provincial or territorial contribution that at least matches that of the federal government for each project; and

- Include a pre-defined public access agreement with the municipality of at least sixty percent (60%) of the operational time of the facility, available for use by the community.

Infrastructure Canada