Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative

Tshiuetin Railway

We lend to new infrastructure projects that are for the benefit of and in partnership with Indigenous communities to reduce their infrastructure gap and promote economic participation. We are collaborating with First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada to explore opportunities.

We have a target to invest at least $1 billion in revenue-generating Indigenous infrastructure projects across our five priority sectors: clean power, green infrastructure, public transit, broadband, and trade and transportation.

The Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII) is a collaborative financing solution that offers low-cost and long-term loans to Indigenous infrastructure projects and combines public funding and/or private and institutional investment to get more infrastructure built.

Our Investment team is already active in Indigenous infrastructure projects across Canada. To learn more, please see our ICII eligibility criteria, related partnerships, and other resources.

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Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg

The investment from the CIB was essential to completing the financing for this project, that includes community equity and funding from various other community partners. Our experience with the CIB was an extremely positive one and they are clearly committed to the growth and development of Indigenous communities.

Louis Kwissiwa, Chief, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg
Alexander First Nation

The success of these projects, enabled by the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Arrow Technology Group, will have a lasting impact. By providing access to the same resources and opportunities as the rest of Alberta, we can open a gateway to a brighter future for those who have previously been left behind.

George Arcand Jr., Chief of Alexander First Nation
English River First Nation

This unique partnership with English River First Nation, Des Nedhe Group, the Rural Municipality of Corman Park and Saskatchewan Water Corporation, enabled by CIB financing, signals an important step towards economic reconciliation. We look forward to ensuring we can advance future economic development for years to come.

Vice-Chief Jenny Campbell, English River First Nation
shíshálh Nation

The shíshálh Nation is very pleased with the arrangements finalized for the long-term funding of this project. It exemplifies a great working relationship between our municipal First Nations Government and the CIB.

Chief Henry Warren Paull, shíshálh Nation
Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative Eligibility

Through the ICII, our investment team looks to invest in Indigenous projects that provide a direct benefit to an Indigenous community or communities. These projects must:

  • Fall within at least one of the CIB’s priority sectors and be located in Canada; provide direct benefit to an Indigenous community;
  • Provide direct benefit by closing an Indigenous infrastructure gap or through meaningful Indigenous ownership;
  • 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% of project capital cost net of grants;
  • Represent an investment of at least $5 million and up to $100 million, and not more than 80% of project cost net of grants; evidence that no other lender will provide financing at terms and conditions that make the project viable;
  • Be new or represent significant upgrades to existing infrastructure.