Canada's Big City Mayors Urge Federal Government to Accelerate Infrastructure Funding
Event summary
- Canada's Big City Mayors Caucus (BCMC) met with the Prime Minister on February 2, 2026, to push for faster federal infrastructure funding ahead of the construction season.
- Mayors cite delays in federal funding as a barrier to housing and infrastructure projects, risking increased costs and slowed economic growth.
- BCMC Chair Josh Morgan highlighted the community stream of the Building Communities Strong Fund as the most effective tool for direct municipal funding.
- FCM proposed increasing the community stream, developing a long-term national infrastructure plan, and reversing a $5 billion cut to the Canada Public Transit Fund.
The big picture
The push by Canada's Big City Mayors for faster infrastructure funding reflects broader challenges in aligning federal priorities with local delivery capacity. With housing and economic growth targets at stake, the efficiency of funding mechanisms like the community stream will be critical. The discussion also underscores the need for coordinated national infrastructure planning to support urban centers driving Canada's economic activity.
What we're watching
- Funding Execution
- Whether the federal government will increase the community stream funding to meet municipal demands for timely infrastructure projects.
- Policy Alignment
- How the proposed long-term national infrastructure plan will coordinate housing, trade, and economic growth objectives.
- Public Safety
- The impact of Bill C-14 on reducing violent crime in major Canadian cities, as mayors seek federal collaboration on emerging safety issues.