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EDMONTON – While Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) was pleased to see the federal government’s commitment to local infrastructure in the 2025 budget, it is worried the funding stream used to disperse money is a one-size-fits-all approach that may not work.

The federal government unveiled the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) in November 2025 as part of the budget, with funds going towards infrastructure like roads, water and wastewater systems, transit, and community facilities that enables more housing to be built.

ABmunis is “deeply concerned that access to BCSF’s Provincial/Territorial funding stream hinges on ‘substantially reducing development charges’ (known in Alberta as off-site levies) and other similar constraints,” a release reads. “The federal government’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach risks undermining the very infrastructure that enables new housing in Alberta. Our members use off-site levies responsibly and transparently to ensure growth pays for growth. Reductions to these development charges would shift costs to local taxpayers, slow project delivery and erode municipal autonomy.”

The organization states the conditions that go along with the BCSF won’t be effectively deployed in Alberta.

“We urge the federal government to fund infrastructure in municipalities throughout Alberta without imposing conditions,” the release notes.

The association, which represents 264 municipalities across Alberta, is asking the federal government to consider the following:

• Provide BCSF dollars to municipalities in Alberta without imposing mandatory reductions to development charges/off-site levies or other prescriptive conditions.  
• Recognize Alberta’s proven offsite levy regime and municipalities’ autonomous decision-making powers. 
• Prioritize water and wastewater systems, public transit and recreation facilities.
• Ensure BCSF allocations reflect Alberta’s rapid growth and the need to keep pace with housing demand. 
• Ensure BCSF allocations are delivered efficiently via predictable channels.