Active Transportation Fund
“Infrastructure Canada”
$50,000.00
Maximum Eligible Amount
Government Grant
Fund Type
The Active Transportation Fund (ATF) is a national, merit-based contribution program intended to support projects that improve active transportation infrastructure across Canada. Announced in March 2021, the Fund will make available $400 million over five years to help build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges, as well as support Active Transportation planning and stakeholder engagement activities.
By increasing the amount and quality of active transportation infrastructure, the Fund’s goal is to generate economic, environmental and social “Triple bottom line” benefits for Canadians. More specifically, the Fund seeks to:
- Improve community connections and promote social equity amongst vulnerable Canadians;
- Make travel by active transportation easier, more convenient and enjoyable, and enhance user safety and security;
- Encourage people to choose active transportation over personal vehicles (including supporting walking and cycling to access transit);
- Reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector, supporting the goals of the Strengthened Climate Plan; and
- Support the Canadian economy through a reduction in congestion, the creation of construction jobs and enhanced access via active transportation modes to businesses.
The Fund will also support Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy, which is being launched simultaneously with the Fund.
On February 10, 2021, the Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced $5.9 billion in new funding for public transit and active transportation over 5 years, beginning in 2021-22, with a permanent annual envelope of $3B ongoing beginning in 2026-27.
This funding included the creation of an Active Transportation Fund (the Fund), a $400 million, 5-year investment to fund projects that expand and enhance active transportation networks in communities of all types and sizes, and support Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy.
Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity. Active transportation includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes and cross-country skis, and more.
The objective of the Fund is to increase the total amount, usage, and quality of active transportation infrastructure throughout Canada. The Fund will support capital and planning projects that encourage a modal shift away from cars and improve the safety and security of Canadians.
In advancing this objective, the Fund will also support the goals of the Strengthened Climate Plan and improve the resilience of communities. In recognition that almost every journey begins and ends with a form of active transportation, the Fund will seek to enhance the impact of other modes of transit by supporting first-and-last kilometre connections to existing and planned infrastructure.
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