Using Active Transportation Funding

Canada | February 10, 2022

In March 2021, the federal government announced a National Active Transportation Strategy along with a new $400 million Active Transportation fund (distributed over five years), dedicated to providing communities with financial support for the development of active transportation systems in their community. Infrastructure Canada is now accepting applications for both the planning and capital funding streams of the Active Transportation Fund between January 27, 2022 and March 31, 2022 through the Applicant Portal.

According to the Fund’s website, “the Fund's goal is to generate economic, environmental and social triple bottom line benefits for Canadians. More specifically, the Fund seeks to:

Improve community connections and promote social equity amongst vulnerable Canadians;
Make travel by active transportation easier, more convenient and enjoyable, and enhance user safety and security;
Encourage people to choose active transportation over personal vehicles (including supporting walking and cycling to access transit);
Reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector, supporting the goals of the Strengthened Climate Plan; and
Support the Canadian economy through a reduction in congestion, the creation of construction jobs and enhanced access via active transportation modes to businesses.”

This is the first time that the federal government has selected to identify a specific fund through its commitment to infrastructure that is dedicated to funding municipal cycling and pedestrian infrastructure plans, designs, and capital projects. Although partnership funds from the provincial level of government are encouraged, this Active Transportation Fund is directed to municipalities and does not require provincial program support or oversight.

Shawn Smith Senior Project Manager, Transportation Planning

Shawn Smith Senior Project Manager, Transportation Planning

The Fund will also support Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy, which has been launched in concert with the new initiative. The Strategy is meant “to promote the construction and use of pathways, trails and cycling lanes.” This is the first national strategy developed by the federal government and discusses how federal funding initiatives have been built to support the implementation of the Strategy nationwide.

The Active Transportation Fund opens doors for municipalities, Indigenous communities, NGOs, and other public-sector bodies to advance their current implementation plans. According to the Fund’s website: “Investing in active transportation will strengthen urban, suburban, rural and Indigenous communities across the country and deliver a better quality of life for all Canadians. Pathways and trails that make clean, green, and safe connections to public transit will make communities more healthy and livable, and will give every Canadian a role in helping us reach our net zero emissions goal.”

“We recommend that municipalities with no Active Transportation Master Plan or one in need of updating, seek funding to offset the cost of developing one first through the Active Transportation Fund. Planning projects are eligible for up to a $50,000 grant,” says Dave McLaughlin, Manager of the National Active Transportation Practice at WSP in Canada. “For municipalities that have a current (less than five years old) and council approved Active Transportation Master Plan, we recommend they identify one or more key projects that will have a major impact to improving connectivity and supporting growth in active transportation in their community. Collaborating with other levels of government and other stakeholders including not-for-profits is also highly recommended.”

Do you need guidance figuring out how you can access monies through the federal government’s Active Transportation Fund? Not sure which of your active transportation priorities would be best to put forward? Ready to take a look at how you can improve active transportation in your community?