The New Brunswick government has signed a bilateral infrastructure agreement with the federal government that will reserve $461,442,000 for priority infrastructure projects in the province.
Of this amount, $155 million will be earmarked for health-related projects over a three-year period. The first such project to receive funding will be Moncton’s Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, which will get $25.7 million for endoscopy modernization and expansion to 12 rooms; moreover, $1 million will be allocated for planning activities focused on a wider redevelopment concept and upcoming infrastructure needs.
The Build Communities Strong Fund will provide the money. The agreement falls under the fund’s provincial and territorial stream, which caters to new and renewed public infrastructure in provinces and territories.
A base amount is established for each province and territory in addition to a per capita calculation based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data. At least 20 percent of overall funding allocations will be applied to rural, northern, and Indigenous communities.
“New Brunswickers deserve to get the right care, in the right place, when they need it, and that means making sure our health-care teams have the facilities and equipment they need to provide that care. This investment will help us expand and modernize health-care infrastructure, including at Georges-L.-Dumont, while creating more opportunities to build affordable housing,” said New Brunswick premier Susan Holt in a statement.
Vitalité Health Network president and CEO France Desrosiers explained that the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in particular was key to the delivery of specialized care in the province and in training future health-care professionals.
“Investing in modern health-care infrastructure is an important part of improving the care New Brunswickers receive. This funding will allow us to upgrade and expand health-care facilities across the province so our health-care professionals have the spaces and equipment they need to provide high-quality care,” said John Dornan, New Brunswick health minister.
In line with the agreement, New Brunswick will not increase fees or taxes that prevent housing development.
David Hickey, minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, said the federal government’s investment would uncover new solutions to the housing crisis.
“In the face of this housing shortage, we are building to ensure everyone has access to a safe, affordable place to live,” Hickey said.
The Build Communities Strong Fund is a $51 billion, 10-year infrastructure initiative supporting housing, health care, education, climate adaptation, and core community infrastructure throughout Canada. It was initially announced as part of the 2025 federal budget.
“Canada and New Brunswick are making strategic investments that will help unlock new housing, strengthen post-secondary education and support modern, reliable health infrastructure”, said Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s internal trade minister, on behalf of housing and infrastructure minister Gregor Robertson.