On this page

• Overview
• Benefits of active transportation
• Program details
• How to apply
• Indigenous applicants
• Important resources
• Contact us

Overview

Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity and includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more. The most effective active transportation infrastructure provides a complete network that allows users to safely move through their communities and between destinations, from main streets to schools, parks, public transit hubs and residential neighborhoods.

In 2021, in support of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy, the Government of Canada launched the Active Transportation Fund (ATF), a $400 million investment over five years to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient and more enjoyable. The Active Transportation Fund invests in projects that build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges, in addition to supporting active transportation planning and stakeholder engagement activities.

Benefits of active transportation

Increasing opportunities for Canadians to engage in active transportation comes with many benefits. While moving people from point A to point B, active transportation allows people to be active in their daily lives, improving physical and mental health, while promoting social connectedness and reducing healthcare costs. Active transportation also offers personal costs savings, while stimulating economic activity, supporting tourism sectors, and fostering more equitable, inclusive, livable communities. As active transportation requires less paved space compared to motorized vehicles, it can help preserve natural areas and open space. Environmental benefits are also significant and include reduced road congestion, improved air quality, less noise pollution, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Program details

The Active Transportation Fund is a direct-application program. Eligible recipients, including municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit organizations, provincial or territorial governments and Indigenous recipients may apply directly to Infrastructure Canada for funding for eligible projects. Please note that individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

The Active Transportation Fund offers two funding streams:

Projects that would primarily benefit users of motorized passenger or commercial vehicles, as well as the purchase of non-fixed assets, such as bicycles for bicycle share systems, are ineligible for funding.

Please consult the Applicant Guide for more information on recipients, projects, and cost eligibility.

Projects that are determined to be eligible will be further evaluated against the program's merit criteria. Final project selection is undertaken with a view to balancing funding support by taking into consideration such factors as regional distribution, the type of project, and equitable access.

How to apply

The first general intake for the Active Transportation Fund closed on March 31, 2022. Eligible Indigenous applicants may apply through the Applicant Portal until December 14, 2023.

Follow these steps to submit an application:

1. Determine eligibility by reviewing applicant and project eligibility requirements in the Applicant Guide. Eligible Expenditures and Maximum Program Contributions should also be reviewed in order to determine the requested amount of funding.
2. Consult the Step-by-Step Guides for Planning and Capital projects for clear and simple instructions on preparing an application.
3. Log in to the Applicant Portal to complete the application and upload supporting documentation. Note that applications can be saved prior to submission as many times as necessary and do not need to be completed in one session.

Indigenous applicants

The Active Transportation Fund has allocated a minimum of 10% of the total funding envelope for Indigenous recipients. Applications for planning and capital projects from eligible Indigenous recipients will be accepted until December 14, 2023.

Eligible Indigenous Recipients include:

• Indigenous Governing Bodies;
• Federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations whose mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes, organizations serving Indigenous communities living in urban centers and First Nations living off reserve; and
• Indigenous development corporations.

For additional support in completing an application, please contact the Active Transportation Fund team at ATF-FTA@infc.gc.ca.

Important resources

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact: ATF-FTA@infc.gc.ca.

If you are interested in receiving updates about the Active Transportation Fund, please send us an email to subscribe to our Mailing List. You will receive a welcome message as a confirmation of your subscription.