Regina Mayor Welcomes Federal Budget’s Infrastructure Funding

Regina’s Mayor, Chad Bachynski, expressed optimism following the unveiling of the 2025-26 federal budget by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The budget allocates $51 billion over the next decade to support municipal infrastructure across Canada, starting in 2026. Bachynski emphasized that the funding reflects a significant recognition of the needs of Saskatchewan cities, stating, “I think that it hit a mark.”

The budget introduced the new Build Communities Strong Fund, designed to assist municipalities in expanding infrastructure to accommodate population growth. This new program will channel funds into three main areas: housing-enabling projects, health-related initiatives, and developments at colleges and universities. Additionally, the budget rebrands the existing Canada Community-Building Fund, previously known as the Gas Tax Fund, which accounts for $27.8 billion of the total funding.

Bachynski, along with other leaders from Saskatchewan, recently visited Ottawa to advocate for continued federal cost-sharing efforts. This visit aimed to ensure ongoing support following the full commitment of another federal initiative, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Fund (ICIP). “I think we put our best foot forward and hopefully we can continue that narrative with them,” he remarked.

While local officials welcome the funding, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has expressed concerns over the sufficiency of the budget. The FCM stated that while the funding acknowledges the critical role of municipal infrastructure in Canada’s productivity and trade, it falls short of guaranteeing sustained support. In a statement, the FCM noted that a portion of the $51 billion includes investments that have simply been reannounced from previous programs, which cities had already integrated into their long-term development plans.

Bachynski concurs with the FCM’s assessment. “We know it’s not enough,” he stated, highlighting the need for more substantial investment to achieve the generational improvements that have been discussed. When asked if the new funding streams could benefit any of Regina’s upcoming projects, Bachynski indicated that city administration would review the available options to determine eligibility.

Regina has previously leveraged federal funding for various initiatives, including the construction of a new indoor aquatic facility, the acquisition of electric buses, and ongoing efforts to prepare the former Taylor Field site for redevelopment. As the city looks to the future, the potential impact of this new funding could play a crucial role in shaping Regina’s infrastructure landscape.

The Regina Leader-Post continues to provide updates on this developing story and encourages readers to stay informed on the latest news by subscribing to its daily newsletters.