Building Canada strong by investing in Economic Enabling Infrastructure at the Kelowna International Airport

KELOWNA, BC, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building a stronger Canada starts with investing in the modern and reliable infrastructure that makes it possible to increase housing supply and create resilient communities.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is investing $51 billion in a wide range of infrastructure projects across the country that support economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, health, transit, transportation and climate adaptation.

To that end, Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement announced a federal investment of up to $22.4 million in the YLW Economic Enabling Infrastructure Project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

This project involves the construction of new utility infrastructure at the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to remove servicing barriers that currently limit development of the East Lands and establish the infrastructure needed to support future economic growth in Kelowna and the Okanagan.

The project includes the construction of new water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, electrical, and communications infrastructure to service more than 165 acres of airside airport employment and industrial lands. The initial phase will service approximately 90 acres of development-ready land. The project will establish utility connections and infrastructure capacity to support future aerospace, aviation, logistics, advanced manufacturing, technology, and training facilities.

As Canada's largest municipally owned and operated airport, YLW connects people, businesses and industries with opportunity while advancing the City of Kelowna Council's economic priorities. Investing in the infrastructure needed to unlock airport employment lands will strengthen Canada's economy, support private-sector growth and create good jobs that help build stronger, more resilient communities.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is a cornerstone of the Government of Canada's plan to build the infrastructure needed to build Canada strong – today and for generations to come. 

Quotes

"The Kelowna International Airport is already a major economic engine for our region. This investment will unlock valuable airport lands, attract new investment and aerospace companies, and create skilled Canadian jobs. We're strengthening Kelowna's economy while creating new opportunities for Canada's aerospace industry to grow, right here in the Okanagan."

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement

"Airports are much more than transportation hubs; They are powerful economic engines that connect people, businesses and industries to opportunity. This investment will help unlock new private-sector development, support the growth of Canada's aerospace sector and strengthen YLW's role as a gateway for innovation, trade and investment. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for recognizing the national significance of this opportunity." 

Sam Samaddar, CEO of YLW Kelowna International Airport

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing up to $22,400,000 in this project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.
• Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will deliver funding through three major streams:
  • A Provincial and Territorial stream, which provides $17.2 billion over 10 years, including $5 billion in health infrastructure funding over three years;
  • A Direct Delivery stream, which provides $6 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion over 4 years as part of a Local Impact Stream that is being delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies to support community infrastructure projects with local impact; and,
  • A Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund), which provides $27.8 billion over 10 years and, indexed at 2% to deliver $3 billion per year ongoing.
• The Buy Canadian Policy is an important part of the Build Communities Strong Fund. It will help ensure that more of every public dollar goes right into the Canadian economy – creating Canadian careers, using Canadian resources, and benefiting Canadian communities.

• The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure – with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade.

• Under the Direct Delivery stream, at least 10% of the funding will go towards investments in Indigenous communities.
• Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.
• Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling requirements, including those related to consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment obligations, if applicable.

Associated Links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Prime Minister Carney launches the Build Communities Strong Fund and announces the first tranche of projects
• Prime Minister Carney shares Budget 2025 plan to build communities strong

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Arianna Durgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations: Kelowna International Airport, 250-317-0579, [email protected]; Media Relations: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]