April 11, 2024

• The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) is a federal program which provides predictable, long-term, stable funding for municipalities to help them build and revitalize their local public infrastructure. While there is no requirement to match federal funding with provincial or municipal contributions under the CCBF, the CCBF is not intended to replace or displace municipal operating and maintenance funding or municipal capital funds. The federal government is clear that the CCBF should complement municipal funding to create or revitalize municipal infrastructure.
• Saskatchewan municipalities have been receiving CCBF funding on a per capita basis and can prioritize their public infrastructure investments within 19 eligible categories. The provision of untreated water, which may not be safe for consumption, is outside the current scope of CCBF’s project categories.
• As a part of the CCBF program renewal engagement, the province suggested the addition of ‘Raw Water Supply’ to the eligible investment categories under the renewed CCBF program.
• The federal government’s rationale for the CCBF-eligible categories is that investments should provide considerable public benefits. Canada intends to fund safe drinking water or the treatment of wastewater under the CCBF because these types of projects provide a public benefit or service and allow municipalities to meet applicable water standards.
• As the CCBF is a program with federally imposed parameters, the province has limited abilities to impact the terms and conditions of this funding. The Ministry of Government Relations provides Municipal Revenue Sharing to municipalities, which is unconditional and can be used at the municipality’s discretion.

Sheldon Green – Acting Deputy Minister of Government Relations