The Province of British Columbia is accepting applications from local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations for nearly $136 million in infrastructure grants to help communities develop resilience in response to COVID-19.

In partnership with the Government of Canada, the funds are being made available as part of the new COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS), a new stream under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

CVRIS will support projects that focus on retrofits, rehabilitation and upgrades to existing local government and Indigenous community buildings, COVID-19 response infrastructure, active transportation and disaster mitigation.

CVRIS is accepting applications through two ministries:

  • up to $80 million is available for projects administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs; and
  • up to $56 million is available for flood mitigation and adaptation projects administered by Emergency Management BC (EMBC).

To meet the accelerated timeline in response to COVID-19, applicants for funding under EMBC’s Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation program have until Jan. 11, 2021, to apply. All other applicants have until Jan. 27, 2021.