For immediate release
District of Vanderhoof receives $7,000,000 in infrastructure funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Community stream
Vanderhoof, British Columbia, August 28, 2026 — The District of Vanderhoof is receiving over $7,000,000 through the Strategic Priorities Fund. This federally funded program supports infrastructure projects that are beyond the financial capacity of a single local government fund, under the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Community stream in BC.
The District of Vanderhoof is using its funding to improve its water infrastructure and ensure continued access to clean, safe drinking water for residents now and into the future. The project will also enhance fire protection on the Northside, including for homes, businesses, and important services such as St. John Hospital. Replacing aging equipment and adding improved backup power will increase system resilience and reduce the risk of service interruptions during emergencies or power outages. These upgrades will help protect public health, support future growth, and improve the overall quality of life in Vanderhoof.
On July 30, 2026, the federal and provincial governments along with the Union of BC Municipalities announced a federal investment of more than $152 million to support 54 community infrastructure and capacity-building projects. The District of Vanderhoof is one of the 54 recently announced projects.
The BCSF Community stream is a transfer-based program that provides $2.5 billion per year in funding to communities across Canada. The Province of British Columbia receives over $326 million annually from this stream, which is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities and distributed to local governments through the Community Works Fund, Strategic Priorities Fund, and Metro Vancouver Regional Fund.
Quotes
“Reliable infrastructure is the foundation of healthy, growing communities. This investment will help Vanderhoof strengthen its water system, improve fire protection, and support the homes, businesses, and essential services that residents count on every day.”
MP Todd Doherty
“This funding will help Vanderhoof make important upgrades to its water system, improving access to safe drinking water and strengthening fire protection for residents, businesses and essential services. Investments like this support healthier, more resilient communities and help prepare for future growth.”
MLA John Rustad
“This project is about making sure Vanderhoof residents can count on safe, reliable drinking water every day, while also strengthening fire protection for homes, businesses, and critical services like St. John Hospital. Investing in the Northside water system now will help protect public health, support future growth, and make our community more resilient for years to come.”
Mayor Kevin Moutray
Quick facts
- British Columbia’s 2026-27 allocation under the Build Communities Strong Community stream is over $326 million.
- The total federal contribution towards the 54 projects is $152,313,226.
- The 29 capital projects are receiving a total of $145,945,502.
- The 25 capacity building projects are receiving a total of $6,367,764.
- The funding provided for these projects comes through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ application-based Strategic Priorities Fund.
- See the attached backgrounder for details of the projects.
- The Build Communities Strong Fund Community stream provides predictable, long-term and stable funding to local governments for investment in infrastructure and capacity-building projects. This program is funded by the Government of Canada and administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities.
Associated Links
- Build Communities Strong Fund
- BCSF Community Stream in British Columbia
- UBCM’s Strategic Priorities Fund
Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Mayor Kevin Moutray
District of Vanderhoof
250-567-4711
mayor@vanderhoof.ca
