Canada and Saskatchewan partner to build communities strong

SASKATOON, SK, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- Building a strong Canada starts with investing in the infrastructure that people and communities rely on every day.

Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, the Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, and Her Worship Cynthia Block, Mayor of Saskatoon, announced that the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan have entered into an agreement under the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund to support essential infrastructure to support Saskatchewan residents.

To that end, Saskatchewan will receive a federal investment of more than $610.6 million to build and renew infrastructure in the province. From that investment, under the agreement announced today, Saskatchewan will receive $195.1 million in health infrastructure funding over three years, which will complement existing federal health-related support. These investments will help prioritize projects that help with building and upgrading critical health infrastructure, including hospitals and long-term care.

The first project announced under the Build Communities Strong Fund health agreement with Saskatchewan involves rebuilding the Saskatoon Cancer Patient Lodge, with the federal and provincial governments each providing $7.25 million. The Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, a key partner on this project, is contributing $10 million towards the development of the new lodge, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting patients and families throughout their cancer journey.

The project will result in a brand-new lodge to enhance patient-centered care and supportive services for cancer patients across the province. The modern facility will provide a comfortable, "home-away-from-home" environment for individuals undergoing treatment at nearby health-care facilities, eliminating the need for patients from rural and remote locations to travel back and forth for treatments. The new lodge will feature private patient rooms, companion accommodation spaces, and three stem cell transplant suites.

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

"Building more homes starts with building the infrastructure that makes growth possible. Through the Build Communities Strong Fund, our partnership with Saskatchewan is delivering transformative investments that will strengthen communities, support housing, and improve quality of life for people across the province."

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

"This is a major investment in Saskatchewan's future. With more than $610 million in federal funding – including $195.1 million for health infrastructure alone – we're working with the province to address real needs in our communities and ensure that these infrastructure investments make a meaningful difference for urban, rural, northern, and remote communities, right across our province. This is how we build Canada Strong, here in Saskatchewan."

The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development

"Through the Build Communities Strong Fund, we are strengthening the health infrastructure that residents of Saskatchewan rely on. These investments will improve access to safe, reliable, and high-quality health care, while supporting healthier, stronger communities."

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

"The Saskatchewan government is very appreciative of the federal investment in important health infrastructure across the province. The Build Communities Strong Fund will not only support important projects throughout Saskatchewan communities, but ensure patients are receiving the right care, in the right place, at the right time.."

The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan's Minister of Health

"Saskatchewan appreciates the federal funding provided through the Building Communities Strong Fund which will accelerate and enhance our government's strong and steady investments into healthcare infrastructure. The new Saskatoon Cancer Patient Lodge will improve the quality of life of patients from across Saskatchewan receiving cancer care in Saskatoon."

The Honourable Sean Wilson, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is planning to invest a total of $610,628,000 as part of the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) bilateral agreements with Saskatchewan.
• The BCSF is investing $51 billion in a wide range of infrastructure projects across the country 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; 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 BCSF 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 Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have signed a three-year funding agreement on health infrastructure under the Provincial and Territorial stream of BCSF.
• 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.
• In a fast changing world, we need to act decisively to build Canada strong. The Prairie Partnership Initiative (PPI) is about building a dynamic, sustainable, inclusive economy in the Prairie Provinces.
  • PPI accelerates collaboration and investment across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
  • The PPI ensures federal programs across numerous departments are more responsive to regional priorities and seize opportunities to create prosperity.

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: Piper McWilliams, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, 819-955-1813, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Desk, Health, Government of Saskatchewan, 306-787-4083, [email protected]; Media Desk, SaskBuilds and Procurement, Government of Saskatchewan, 306-520-3607, [email protected]