Regina Mayor Joins National Call for Expedited Federal Infrastructure Funding
Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski has united with municipal leaders from across Canada in a concerted effort to urge the federal government to release promised infrastructure and housing funds without delay. This push comes as the construction season rapidly approaches, creating urgency for cities to secure necessary financial resources.
High-Level Meeting with Prime Minister Carney
Mayor Bachynski and fellow members of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Big City Mayors Caucus convened with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on February 4, 2026. The meeting focused specifically on accelerating the distribution of infrastructure funding allocated in the 2026 federal budget.
According to an official FCM news release, the municipal leaders emphasized the critical need for Ottawa to expedite funding delivery to ensure cities have financial resources in hand before construction activities commence in the coming weeks.
Focus on Housing and Infrastructure Priorities
The mayors discussed streamlining processes and increasing accessibility to the substantial $51-billion Building Communities Strong Fund, which has replaced components of the previous Canada Community-Building Fund. This fund represents a cornerstone of federal support for municipal infrastructure development across the nation.
In a social media statement posted on February 6, Mayor Bachynski characterized the meeting as "collaborative and productive" with "practical solutions and a clear focus on turning national ambition into results." He stressed that timely and sustained funding remains essential for municipalities to successfully execute key projects that will stimulate housing construction and address Canada's ongoing housing crisis.
"We emphasized that current federal programs don't match the scale or urgency of the work happening on the ground," Bachynski noted in his post, highlighting the disconnect between federal programming and municipal operational realities.
Federal Response and Additional Advocacy Points
During a joint press availability with FCM representatives prior to meeting with the mayors, Prime Minister Carney acknowledged that the newly established Build Canada Homes agency, which oversees housing funding distribution, is "just getting up and running," with more operational details expected soon.
Beyond infrastructure funding, the municipal delegation expressed strong support for the swift passage of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which remains before Parliament. This legislation proposes stricter bail and sentencing measures for violent and repeat offenders, along with enhanced penalties for organized crime activities such as extortion.
"Canada's Big City Mayors' Caucus and I agree: Parliament needs to pass Bill C-14 urgently," Prime Minister Carney affirmed in a social media post following his meeting with the FCM delegation.
Comprehensive Municipal Recommendations
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities' leadership presented additional recommendations during their Ottawa meetings, including:
- Calls for developing a comprehensive, long-term national housing strategy
- Proposals to modernize the federal-provincial-municipal funding partnership framework to better align with each level of government's responsibilities
- Requests for greater funding certainty and reduced administrative barriers
This coordinated advocacy effort underscores the growing pressure on federal authorities to address municipal concerns as cities nationwide prepare for the upcoming construction period while grappling with housing affordability challenges and infrastructure demands.
