Canada-B.C. partnership opens new transit and health funding

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby announced a Canada-B.C. partnership Thursday, June 18 that will direct more than $5 billion in federal investment over the next decade toward housing, health infrastructure, and transit across the province.

Through the federal Build Communities Strong Fund, the partnership includes several major commitments: the $1.6 billion matched by the province to support multi-unit housing (mentioned separately in the DCC reduction announcement); more than $600 million over three years, matched by B.C., to modernize and expand health infrastructure including hospitals, emergency rooms, and urgent care centres; and up to $50 million over five years for community infrastructure projects in coastal communities, with priority for Terrace and Prince Rupert.

The Canada Public Transit Fund will see the federal government invest $2.5 billion over 10 years for new transit projects, including the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension. Additionally, through the Canada-B.C. Partnership on Condo Conversion, more than 2,200 vacant condos will be converted into affordable homes via Build Canada Homes and BC Housing.

Carney framed the partnership as a response to global uncertainty. "Canadians gave our government a clear mandate to build a stronger country — one where people are empowered with more opportunities, lower costs, safer communities, and homes you can afford," he said.