By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
City of Martensville councillors passed a motion during their September 2 meeting to apply for $643,193.75 from the 2025 Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) in order to complete five roadway rehabilitation projects.
As noted in a report to council, the CCBF provides annual, stable funding for municipalities to invest in local infrastructure priorities such as roads, wastewater infrastructure, public transit, local airports and so on.
The most recent CCBF administrative agreement signed between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories requires the former to invest $26.7 billion over a 10-year period that ends in 2034.
Saskatchewan’s share of that funding was $66.732 million in 2024-2026 and $69.513 million in 2025-2026. Each province or territory develops its own formula for distributing this funding.
The five paving projects that Martensville wishes to carry out include Heibert Crescent ($300,280), 1st Avenue North ($106,027), 6th Street North Paving ($108,516), 6th Avenue North ($91,070) and Rock Hill Lane ($37,300).
Director of infrastructure and planning Matt Gruza noted the city already anticipated utilizing CCBF funding for these projects as part of its capital budget. Councillor Brad Blixt said it seems administration was “quite certain that the funds are available.”
Gruza noted the application is based on the actual values of the projects, while director of corporate services Leah Bloomquist pointed out that there has been no issues with receiving the requested CCBF grants for road rehabilitation projects over the past eight years or so.
“I think last year was the first time where we strayed and did some work with the new ice plant (using CCBF funds,” she said.