Canada and New Brunswick partner to build communities strong and invest in healthcare infrastructure

MONCTON, NB, Sept. 25, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building a strong Canada starts with investing in the infrastructure that people and communities rely on every day.

To that end, the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick have finalized an agreement under the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund to build and renew infrastructure in New Brunswick. 

The province will receive more than $305 million to support infrastructure projects and priorities related to housing and post-secondary education over 10 years, as well as more than $155 million in health infrastructure funding over three years, which will complement existing federal health-related support.

As part of this agreement, New Brunswick has committed to encouraging housing development by not increasing any fees or taxes that hinder housing supply.

The first project supported through this agreement involves renovations to Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital, Vitalité Health Network's largest hospital. A federal investment of more than $11 million for the renovation of approximately 13,800 sq.ft. of space within the hospital will create 12 endoscopy rooms.

The second project being funded at the Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital will see a federal investment of $500,000 to complete the planning work required for a major redevelopment design of the Emergency, Oncology and Obstetrics departments. These upgrades will modernize the hospital, increase capacity and improve patient care. With this undertaking comes a commitment to future redevelopment, laying the groundwork for the completion of the emergency room project.

The modern and reliable infrastructure built through this agreement will help unlock more housing, support post-secondary education, and improve health care. 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 Build Communities Strong Fund is building infrastructure at a speed and scale not seen in generations. By partnering with New Brunswick, we are building stronger, safer, more connected communities for all New Brunswickers."

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"This agreement marks an important step forward in building the infrastructure New Brunswick needs to meet the needs of tomorrow. Canada and New Brunswick are making strategic investments that will help unlock new housing, strengthen post-secondary education and support modern, reliable health infrastructure. By investing in the expansion and modernisation of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital, we are helping build a stronger health care system that New Brunswickers can rely on for years to come."

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy

"New Brunswickers deserve to get the right care, in the right place, when they need it, and that means making sure our health-care teams have the facilities and equipment they need to provide that care. This investment will help us expand and modernize health-care infrastructure, including at Georges-L.-Dumont, while creating more opportunities to build affordable housing. By working with our federal partners, we are building the capacity we need to deliver better care closer to home and make life more affordable for New Brunswickers."

The Honourable Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick

"Thanks to this partnership between Canada and New Brunswick, the investments being announced today will have a meaningful impact for people in Greater Moncton and communities across southeastern New Brunswick. By supporting the modernization of Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital, we are helping ensure patients have access to high-quality care while increasing the capacity to meet the needs of our growing communities."

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton--Dieppe

"Investing in modern health-care infrastructure is an important part of improving the care New Brunswickers receive. This funding will allow us to upgrade and expand health-care facilities across the province so our health-care professionals have the spaces and equipment they need to provide high-quality care."

The Honourable John Dornan, Minister of Health

"Today's announcement is good news for communities right across the province. By partnering with the federal government through the Build Communities Strong Fund, the province can continue to invest in essential municipal infrastructure, promote housing development, and support the needs of New Brunswick residents now and in the future."

The Honourable Gilles LePage, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation

"The Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre plays an essential role in the delivery of specialized care in New Brunswick and in training the next generation of health-care professionals. We are pleased with the commitment of the provincial and federal governments to invest in its modernization.

These investments will support the transformation of our infrastructure to improve care environments, increase our capacity, and better meet the growing needs of the population."

Dr. France Desrosiers, President of Vitalité Health Network

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing a total of $461,442,000 as part of this agreement. New Brunswick will provide matching funding for eligible municipal and provincial projects to maximize the delivery of infrastructure projects.
• The Provincial and Territorial stream is an allocation-based stream that provides funding to provinces and territories to support new and renewed public infrastructure. The allocations consist of a base amount for each province and territory, combined with a per capita calculation using 2021 Statistics Canada Census data.
• Under the Provincial and Territorial stream, a minimum of 20% of the overall funding allocations will go towards projects in rural, northern, and Indigenous 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, and climate adaptation. 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, is 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. 

Associated Links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Prime Minister Carney launches the Build Communities Strong Fund and announces the first tranche of projects

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Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

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, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn, Communications Director, Regional Development Corporation, Government of New Brunswick, [email protected]; Simon Delattre, Director of Media and Public Affairs, Vitalité Health Network, [email protected]