Infrastructure in Nova Scotia


Infrastructure investments are key to creating jobs, supporting a strong economy, and building greener, more resilient communities. Across Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada's investments in modern infrastructure are helping to build efficient transportation systems, provide clean drinking water for families, increase access to high-speed internet for residents and businesses, and build inclusive communities.

Projects in Nova Scotia

Projects Near You

Infrastructure projects are being funded by the Government of Canada in your communities across Nova Scotia. These projects not only improve the everyday lives of Canadians, but also attract the talent and investment communities need to create new jobs and business opportunities.

Visit our interactive map to see projects that are benefiting communities across Nova Scotia.

Details about all projects approved since 2002 are also available on Open Government.

Projects funded under the Investing in Canada Plan are marked by recognizable signs that can be found from coast to coast to coast.

The project signage guidelines are available for recipients of projects funded under the Plan.

In the News

All Infrastructure Canada news in Nova Scotia

Programs and funds available for Nova Scotia

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

COVID-19 update

To address the challenges faced by communities as a result of COVID-19, the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, delivered through bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, now includes a COVID-19 Resilience stream, offers expanded project eligibility and allows for accelerated approvals.

The amended bilateral agreement between Canada and Nova Scotia, reflecting recently announced flexibilities, expanded project eligibility and accelerated approvals, was signed by both parties.

Visit the COVID-19 Resilience stream page for more information.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program provides long-term, stable funding to:

  • Help communities reduce air and water pollution, provide clean water, increase resilience to climate change and create a clean-growth economy
  • Build strong, dynamic and inclusive communities, and
  • Ensure Canadian families have access to modern, reliable services that improve their quality of life

Project approval and funding process

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is administered through a bilateral agreement with Nova Scotia. Projects are cost-shared with the provincial government, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other partners.

Project Approval and Funding Process

Text description
  1. Applicants submit their projects to the province
  2. Province prioritizes projects and submits to Infrastructure Canada
  3. Infrastructure Canada reviews, validates eligibility and funding and seeks ministerial approval*
  4. Projects begin and funding flows when costs are incurred**

* For projects seeking funding under the Ministers' delegated authority, Infrastructure Canada will provide the province or territory with a funding decision within 60 business days of receiving a complete application. An application is deemed complete when all required information has been submitted and no further clarification is required. Projects seeking funding outside the Ministers' delegated authority also require approval by Treasury Board. Examples include, but are not limited to, projects seeking more than $50 million federal contribution, or projects containing sole-source contracts.

** Infrastructure Canada will issue a claim payment for projects within 20 business days of receiving a complete claim, with all required information, from the recipient.

* For projects seeking funding under the Ministers' delegated authority, Infrastructure Canada will provide the province or territory with a funding decision within 60 business days of receiving a complete application. An application is deemed complete when all required information has been submitted and no further clarification is required. Projects seeking funding outside the Ministers' delegated authority also require approval by Treasury Board. Examples include, but are not limited to, projects seeking more than $50 million federal contribution, or projects containing sole-source contracts.

** Infrastructure Canada will issue a claim payment for projects within 20 business days of receiving a complete claim, with all required information, from the recipient.

Funding breakdown

In 2016, Canada and Nova Scotia signed an initial agreement under the Investing in Canada plan to invest more than $119 million in federal funding for the rehabilitation, repair, and modernization of existing infrastructure to provide communities with more reliable water and wastewater systems and improve public transit systems across the province.

In 2018, a second agreement was signed to provide more than $828 million in federal funding over the next decade for long-term infrastructure projects through four streams. Here is a funding breakdown, by stream: Public Transit InfrastructureGreen InfrastructureCommunity, Culture & Recreational Infrastructure and Rural & Northern Infrastructure.

  Public Transit Infrastructure

Funding for the new construction, expansion, improvement and rehabilitation of public transit infrastructure that transform the way Canadians live, move and work.

Approved and announced
231526156
(100%)
Under Review
168000
(0%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  231526156 168000 1
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened N/A
Closed N/A
Total number of project applications received from Nova Scotia 11
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
1
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 10

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or e-mail icip@novascotia.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Green Infrastructure

Funding for green infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change, provide climate-related disaster mitigation, and ensure clean air and safe drinking water for residents.

Approved and announced
319936463
(84%)
Under Review
61806148
(16%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  319936463 61806148 2504
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened December 3, 2018
Closed January 18, 2019
Total number of project applications received from Nova Scotia 67
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
11
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 56

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or e-mail icip@novascotia.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure

Funding for community, culture and recreation infrastructure projects that build stronger communities and improve social inclusion.

Approved and announced
48973381
(100%)
Under Review
0
(0%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  48973381 0 0
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened N/A
Closed N/A
Total number of project applications received from Nova Scotia 13
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
0
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 13

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or e-mail icip@novascotia.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  Rural & Northern Infrastructure

Funding to support projects that improve the quality of life in rural and northern communities including improvements to food security, broadband connectivity, transportation infrastructure, energy, and education and health facilities.

Approved and announced
73492982
(99%)
Under Review
1102800
(1%)
Unallocated
(0%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  73492982 1102800 350478
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened December 3, 2018
Closed January 18, 2019
Total number of project applications received from Nova Scotia 42
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
3
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 39

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or e-mail icip@novascotia.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

  COVID-19 Resilience

Funding to help provinces and territories respond to the impacts of COVID-19, with added flexibility and expanded eligibility categories to support quick-start, short-term projects that might not otherwise be eligible under the existing funding streams.

Approved and announced
75357901
(80%)
Under Review
16717768
(18%)
Unallocated
1456737Footnote 1
(2%)
 Approved and announced  Total value of projects received under review  Unallocated
  75357901 16717768 1456737
PROVINCIAL INTAKE
Opened To be determined by the Province
Closed To be determined by the Province
Total number of project applications received from Nova Scotia 89
  • Total number of applications deemed incomplete and returned to province or territory
0
  • Total number of applications under review
0
  • Total number of applications for which a funding decision has been made
19
Total projects approved and announced by Infrastructure Canada 70

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing or e-mail icip@novascotia.ca for additional information about the project intake process.

Last Updated: 2024-03-15

  Canada Community-Building Fund

The Canada Community-Building Fund delivers over $2 billion every year to more than  3600 communities across the country. Communities select how best to direct the funds and have the flexibility to make strategic investments across 19 different project categories. The Canada Community-Building Fund will provide Nova Scotia with more than $55,367 for the 2022-23 fiscal year for local infrastructure projects.

Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund icon Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund is a $3.375 billion national merit-based program that supports large-scale infrastructure projects to help communities better manage the risks of disasters triggered by natural hazards. Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund projects in Nova Scotia:

 Smart Cities Challenge

The Smart Cities Challenge is a pan-Canadian competition for communities large and small that encourages communities to adopt a smart cities approach to improve the lives of their residents through innovation, data and connected technology.

Over 200 communities from across Canada participated in the first round of the Challenge, putting forward their ideas, which were adjudicated by an independent jury. In Nova Scotia, the Town of Bridgewater advanced to the finalist stage and was announced as one of the winners of the Challenge on May 14, 2019. Visit the Map of Applicants for more information.

 Other Infrastructure Canada programs

The following programsFootnote2 also support impactful infrastructure projects that contribute to a cleaner environment, stronger communities and Canada's economic growth:

  Programs delivered by Federation of Canadian Municipalities

The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are investing in projects across Nova Scotia to build stronger communities through the following programs:

  Program delivered by Community Foundations Canada

Canada Healthy Communities Fund is a $31 million investment to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.

 Programs delivered by other government departments and agencies

Government of Canada investments in infrastructure go beyond Infrastructure Canada, and achieving the objectives of the long-term plan require a collaborative effort. These investments are being made by 14 federal departments and agencies. To find out which programs are available, consult the Investing in Canada plan Funding Update table.