Fund new grass hockey field
Petitioners ask Canada to fund or partner to build a grass field for the Home Wolverines hockey club. The government responds that the Build Communities Strong Fund can support community sports infrastructure.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would provide a dedicated, regulation‑grade field that improves training, athlete safety and competitive opportunities for the Home Wolverines.
- It leverages federal sport‑infrastructure programs and intergovernmental partnerships to share costs and enable construction beyond the club’s means.
- New local sports infrastructure can expand recreation options and long‑term athlete development pathways in the community.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Federal and local budgets are limited; funding one club’s field could divert resources from other pressing community needs.
- Building and maintaining a grass field involves ongoing costs and logistical challenges; a multipurpose or synthetic surface might offer better durability and value.
- Federal program access often requires provincial/municipal agreements, matching funds or private investment, so approval and timely delivery are not guaranteed.
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
Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS The lack of adequate training facilities for the Home Wolverines Field Hockey Club limits athlete development, safety, and competitive opportunities; 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. 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.