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Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII)

Program Category: Clean Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Community Infrastructure
Program Sub-Category: Energy Efficiency (Housing / Buildings), Renewable Energy, Economic Development, Zero Emission Vehicles and Charging Stations
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Status: Open

Funder

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)

Funder Organization Type

  • Federal Government
  • Financial Institution

The Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII) will enable the building of new infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities. The CIB Initiative will generate more investments in projects that are vital to economic growth and environmental protection with Indigenous communities across Canada.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities will have the opportunity to partner with the CIB to make innovative investments in projects to help address the infrastructure gap in Indigenous communities.

The projects enabled by CIB investments have the potential to provide more low-carbon energy supply and enhanced energy security, reduce greenhouse gases, improve broadband connectivity, more clean and accessible water, as well as create jobs and local economic development.

As part of the ICII, the CIB will tailor its innovative, low-interest and long-term financing to provide loans of at least $5 million for up to 80% of total project capital cost. Community-based revenue-generating projects can be from any of the CIB’s priority sectors: green infrastructure, clean power, broadband, public transit and trade and transportation.

 
Through the ICII, the CIB is looking to invest in community-based projects that provide a service and a direct benefit to an Indigenous community or communities to help to close the infrastructure gap. These projects also must:
  • Generate revenue, but can also be supported by other community revenues;
  • Include Indigenous community capital and/or other industry sponsor investment of at least 20%;
  • Represent a CIB investment of at least $5 million and not more than 80% of total project cost; 
  • Have a robust construction and operations risk mitigation strategy;
  • Be new or represent significant upgrades to existing infrastructure; and
  • Fall within at least one of the Eligible Project Categories below.
Project Category: Clean Power
  • Development of renewable energy-powered microgrids.
  • Development of solar, wind, small-scale hydro, tidal, biomass, and geothermal infrastructure.
  • District energy systems.
  • Transmission installation and upgrades to improve access and reliability of access to electricity.
Project Category: Green Infrastructure
  • Investments that transition communities off diesel generators to renewable energy sources and lower carbon intensive sources of generation. 
  • Investment in retrofits of buildings to make them more energy efficient.
  • Investments that provide a long-term, reliable source of clean drinking water. 
  • Improvement of environmental performance of water and wastewater management systems.
Project Category: Trade & Transport and Public Transit
  • Development of transportation infrastructure for remote or rural communities including roads, bridges, rail, airports, regional bus systems, etc. 
  • Irrigation infrastructure for agricultural communities.
Project Category: Broadband
  • Development of communications infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access for remote or rural communities.

Eligible Community

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, their economic development companies and partners. 

Required Community Contribution

Community contribution required (please see program website)

At least 20% of total project costs must be funded from non-CIB sources. 

Funding Stacking Restrictions

No

Application Limit per Community

1

Professional Input Required

Yes

The CIB has an extensive due diligence process which requires legal advisors and may require financial advisors. It is expected that the project will have significant design completed. 

Other Eligible Applicants

Businesses / For-profit
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits
Economic Development Agencies

Type of Funding

  • Loan

Range of Funding Available per Project

  • Over $1 000 000

Description of Funding

Minimum $5 million and up to $100 million; up to 80% of project capital cost.
 
 

    Percentage of Project Funded

    80%

    Up to 80% 

    Eligible Costs

    Engineering
    Design
    Operational and Maintenance Costs
    Capital Costs
    Equipment/Material Purchase
    Project Management
    Staff Costs

    All costs related to the Project Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). operations and maintenance is only after the greenfield project is built. 

    Reporting Requirements

    Progress reports and final reports

    Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

    At least 6 months.

    One application per project; there is no limit on applications/projects submitted, however.