The Canada Infrastructure Bank is establishing the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, which will enable the building of new infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities and help generate investments in projects that are vital to economic growth and environmental protection.

Supported by a $167-million federal investment, the FCM-run program supports municipalities in lowering the carbon emissions from community buildings such as arenas, pools, libraries and recreation and cultural centres.

Both groups pointed to positive elements of the budget, but indicated more could have been done to deploy already-allocated money, and create predictable funding flows.

A series of projects in the southwestern communities will share in more than $8 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. The projects will conclude by December 2022, and bring broadband access to more than 3,000 homes and businesses.

The budget forecasts a deficit of $354 billion, with significant spending allocated to infrastructure projects—including transit, rail and housing—and for apprenticeship training.