Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program

Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program (CFMP) is the Government of Canada's main vehicle to support community infrastructure for First Nations on reserves.

CFMP invests in the planning, design, construction, renovation, acquisition and operations and maintenance of community infrastructure that supports First Nations to build healthy, safe and prosperous communities and enables engagement in the economy.

The program's funding, more than $2 billion per year, is invested in 4 main areas:

• housing
• education facilities
• water and wastewater systems
• other community infrastructure such as but not limited to:
  • roads and bridges
  • connectivity
  • fire protection
  • cultural and recreational facilities
  • structural mitigation
  • solid waste management
  • community energy systems

The objectives of the CFMP are to make investments in physical assets, such as roads or schools, or services in First Nations communities that:

• maximize the life cycle of the assets
• mitigate health and safety risks
• ensure that assets meet applicable codes and standards
• ensure that assets are managed in a cost-effective and efficient manner
• address communities’ needs

The program has 3 funding streams:

• operations and maintenance
• minor capital for projects under $1.5 million
• major capital for projects over $1.5 million

Proposed projects are ranked using the following guidelines:

• protection of health and safety and assets that need upgrading or replacement to meet appropriate standards
• restoration, modernization, renovation or replacement to extend or restore the operating life of a facility or asset
• growth, or anticipated community growth, that requires new housing, roads, schools and community buildings

These guidelines help decision makers fund projects in a fair and consistent manner and make sure that the highest priority projects are funded.

The CFMP’s funding is managed through First Nation infrastructure investment plans, developed in partnership with First Nations and based on community-identified infrastructure needs.

Adjustments to the plan may occur throughout the fiscal year as community, project and financial circumstances change.

For information about this program, visit Transfer Payment Program Terms and Conditions: Contributions to support the construction and maintenance of community infrastructure.