Fund a grass hockey field
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to fund, via federal sport‑infrastructure grants or provincial/municipal partnerships, construction of a new grass hockey field for training and competition. The government responds that the Build Communities Strong Fund and Community stream provide federal funding for community sports infrastructure, with funds flowing to provinces and municipalities for eligible projects.
Why we would sign this petition
- Would secure federal support to build a local grass hockey field, enabling training, player development and competitive play.
- Seeks funding through established programs, so the project could qualify under the new Build Communities Strong Fund and its Community stream.
- Channeling funds via provincial and municipal partnerships lets local authorities plan, match funding and operate the facility to meet community needs.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Community stream funds are transferred to provinces and territories, so there is no guarantee the specific field will receive funding.
- Regionally significant projects in the Direct Delivery stream require private investment or Canada Infrastructure Bank financing, which may be hard to secure.
- Municipalities face competing infrastructure priorities and eligibility rules, so the project might not rank highly or fit program criteria.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
THEREFORE We, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada: Provide funding assistance through federal sport infrastructure grants or relevant programs, and/or partner with provincial and municipal bodies to support the construction of a new grass hockey field suitable for training, development, and competitive play.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Signed by Jennifer McKelvie, M.P. The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their concerns regarding the training facilities for the Home Wolverines Field Hockey Club in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and recognizes the importance of facilities for sports and recreation in communities. Since 2016, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada has funded over 700 sports-related projects, representing more than $1.6 billion in funding. Sports assets funded under these projects include, but are not limited to, arenas, skating rinks, curling clubs, recreation, leisure and community centres, pools and aquatic centres, sports fields, track facilities, and outdoor recreation facilities. Budget 2025 introduced a plan to support public infrastructure projects, including community facilities, across Canada through the new Build Communities Strong Fund(the Fund), which was formally launched on April 7, 2026. The Fund provides $51 billion over ten years, starting in 2026-2027, and $3 billion per year ongoing, to support a wide range of infrastructure priorities, including regionally significant projects, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure, which includes infrastructure to support sports and recreation. The Provincial and Territorial stream of the Fund makes available $17.2 billion to support infrastructure projects, including community assets. Within this stream, there is $5 billion in health infrastructure funding provided over three years, beginning in 2026-2027, to support the modernization and expansion of health infrastructure. The Direct Delivery stream of the Fund provides $6 billion over ten years, starting in 2026-2027, to support regionally significant projects, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure, including recreational spaces. Proponents of regionally significant projects would be required to seek private sector investment, including private investment leveraged through Canada Infrastructure Bank financing. The Canada Community-Building Fund has been rebranded as the program’s Community stream. This stream will provide $27.8 billion over ten years, starting in 2026-2027, and $3 billion per year ongoing, as planned. The Community stream of the Fund is a permanent, predictable source of federal funding that provides municipalities with stable, long-term infrastructure funding to support local priorities. Funds are transferred to provinces and territories, who in turn flow the funds to municipalities to allow them the flexibility to invest in a wide range of eligible infrastructure categories, including sports, recreation and culture. Municipalities can use this funding as an effective way to meet community needs by supporting both physical infrastructure and planning initiatives. Since 2015, the City of Abbotsford has received $79,924,719 under the Community stream, including $7,053,953 in 2025-2026.