The $1-billion Fund has been structured to provide a balanced response to local infrastructure needs in urban and rural Canada, and will ensure that all Canadians, whether they live in large, small or remote communities, will share in the benefits of infrastructure investments. It will build on past successes in partnership infrastructure funding of over 3,000 projects that have directly benefited Canadians.

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will improve and increase the stock of core public infrastructure in areas such as water, wastewater, cultural, recreation, and those very things that make our communities vibrant and productive places to live and work and raise families.

Funding criteria and process

On February 12, 2004, the Government of Canada announced negotiations with each province and territory to provide Canadians with better public infrastructure through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

Negotiations will be concluded as rapidly as possible, and the first projects should be announced four to six months following the signing of an agreement with each province or territory. For more information, please consult the MRIF Information section.

These negotiations will lead to a formal application process that municipalities will have to follow to apply to the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. Please watch this site for further information.