PM Mark Carney Launches $51 Billion "Build Communities Strong Fund" in Brampton

BRAMPTON, ON – Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Brampton on Tuesday to officially launch the Build Communities Strong Fund, a landmark $51 billion investment designed to revitalize Canadian infrastructure, accelerate housing construction, and bolster the national economy over the next decade.

Accompanied by Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, the Prime Minister framed the initiative as a "force multiplier" that would double the rate of local infrastructure investment compared to the previous eight years [17:01].

A Three-Pronged Strategy for Growth

The $51 billion fund is divided into three primary streams to ensure targeted delivery across different levels of government:

● Provincial and Territorial Stream ($12 billion): Focused on large-scale public transit, education, healthcare, and housing-enabling infrastructure [09:16].

● Direct Delivery Stream ($6 billion): Partnering with the Canada Infrastructure Bank to mobilize private sector investment for climate-resilient projects [13:04].

● Community Stream: Dedicated to local projects like recreation centers and reservoirs that directly improve resident quality of life [09:07].

"Canada strong means Halifax strong, Brampton strong," Carney told the crowd at the Century Gardens Recreation Center. He estimated the fund would support over 42,000 high-paying careers and boost Canada's GDP by approximately $95 billion over the next ten years [16:41].

Major Wins for Brampton

The announcement included significant local investments for the City of Brampton:

● Embleton Community Center: A $64 million federal investment for a new 175,000-square-foot facility featuring pools, a library, cricket nets, and child care services [13:34].

● TMU School of Medicine: $25 million in funding to support the new Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine in Brampton to train the next generation of Canadian doctors [11:17].

● Housing Affordability: Carney highlighted a partnership with the Ontario government to cut development charges in half and eliminate the 13% GST/HST on new homes valued up to $1 million, which could save local homebuyers up to **$200,000** [09:44].

High-Speed Rail and National Security

During a post-announcement press conference, the Prime Minister addressed the controversial Alto High-Speed Rail project. Despite opposition from some municipalities, Carney defended the project as a "cost-effective and sustainable" way to connect communities, noting it is expected to create 50,000 jobs and contribute $35 billion to the economy [41:53].

On the international front, Carney touched on rising tensions in the Middle East, urging all parties in the Iran conflict to respect international law and civilian safety [23:55]. He also confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Canada, as the two nations look to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of the year [21:49].

Addressing Local Concerns: Crime and Cost of Living

Responding to questions about public safety, Carney pointed to recent legislation that tightened bail conditions and increased sentencing for gang-related crimes, as well as the hiring of 1,000 new RCMP and CBSA agents [29:44].

Regarding the "skyrocketing" gas prices affecting everyday Canadians, the Prime Minister acknowledged the "blow" of global market shifts and stated the government is actively looking at measures to cushion the impact on consumers [37:31].

"When we invest where we live, we invest in each other," Carney concluded. "That’s how we build Brampton strong for all and Canada strong for all" [19:56].

Watch the full press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/live/HDmsBlWKwZQ

In solidarity,

Wimal Navaratnam

Human Rights Defender |Independent Researcher | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com

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