Federal investment creating safe and vibrant public spaces
Administered by Saskatoon Community Foundation in Saskatchewan and Community Foundations of Canada across Canada, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) is a $60 million federal investment targeted for post pandemic enhancements of public spaces.
The initiative directs funding to a broad range of organizations to create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, and provide innovative digital solutions to connect people and improve health. Projects receiving funding ranged from enhanced walking trails, community gardens, and art installations to fitness programs.
Over 1,000 projects were supported in communities in every part of Canada, providing improved safety, better access, digital connections, and healthier quality of life for residents.
The foundation disbursed $381,000 in the first round of funding, $595,000 in the second round, and $1,168,080 in the third round for community-based organizations, municipalities, and First Nations across Saskatchewan on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Project funding in Saskatchewan ranged from the City of Saskatoon’s touchless accessible pedestrian pushbuttons to the STOPS to End Violence virtual community hub. Many communities invested funding in park and playground revitalization, ski and walking trails, and bike access, including Dubuc, Ile a la Crosse, Moosomin, Porcupine Plain, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, and more.
Congratulations to the Saskatchewan recipients of the final round of CHCI funding, announced by the federal government in November 2022:
- Village of Borden – Digitize and Revitalize
- Bridge City Bicycle Co-operative – Supporting a Healthy Saskatoon with Increased Bicycle Access
- Village of Ceylon – Community Play Structure Update
- Sakimay First Nation – Zagime Healthy Community
- Denare Beach Recreation Board – Summer Fun at the Beach Expansion
- Heart Linked Community Service Co-operative – Online Community Hub
- City of Melville – Chambers Microphone and Camera System
- Nutrien Wonderhub – Virtual School Visits
- Town of Porcupine Plain – Walking Paths
- Regina Downtown Business Improvement District – F.W. Hill Mall Revitalization: A Mall for All
- Village of Rush Lake – Park Upgrade
- SaskAbilities – Air Purification Systems Upgrade
- Saskatchewan Science Centre – Outdoor Discovery Space
- City of Saskatoon – Touchless Accessible Pedestrian Pushbuttons
- Saskatoon Council on Aging Inc. – Seniors Connect iPad/Tablet Lending Library
- Saskatoon Broadway Business Improvement District – Broadway Community Patio
- Saskatoon Public Library – Career & Critical Appointment Booth
- Rosthern Station Arts Centre Co-operative – Heritage Centre and Gallery Refresh
- Town of Strasbourg – Lions Park Revitalization Project
These are the Saskatchewan recipients of the second round of CHCI funding announced in March 2022:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon & Area – Volunteer Tracking Platform
- Bridge Point Centre – Youth & Caregiver Recovery Program for Eating Disorders
- City of Melville Parks & Recreation – Melville Disc Golf Course
- City of Swift Current – Safe Places Youth Prevent It!
- City of Yorkton – Yorkton Downtown Bike Lock Station
- Dubuc Recreation Association – Playground Equipment
- Ile a la Crosse Friendship Centre Inc. – Playground Development
- Inclusion Saskatchewan – Virtually Included Program
- Lac La Ronge Indian Band – Kitsakie I.R. #156B Community Garden
- Muskowekwan First Nation – Traditional Hunting and Food Projects for Food Security
- Paradise Hill Care Home Inc. – Care Home Gazebo
- Prince Albert Model Forest Association – Urban Forest Youth Planting Program
- Prince Albert Nordic Ski Club – Development and Maintenance of Cross Country Ski and Walking Trails
- Saskatoon Friendship Inn – Adaptations and Delivery Redesign for Food Security
- Tourism Radville Inc. – Quilt Board Mural
- Town of Herbert– Herbert Memorial Wall Seating Area
- Town of Shaunavon – Audio Visual Equipment for Public Meeting Room
- Town of Stoughton – Stoughton Main Street Greenspace and Patio
- Village of Frontier – Downtown Frontier Community Green Space
These are the Saskatchewan recipients of the first round of CHCI funding announced in 2021:
- Bike Regina– Bike Co-op Access Program
- Churchbridge Public School– EcoAg Program
- Family Service Saskatoon – Making Connections Through Digital Community
- Village of Grayson – Build Accessible Walking Paths in Grayson’s Heritage Park
- MACSI (Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc.) – Addictions Support for Homeless and At-Risk Individuals
- Town of Moosomin – Bradley Park Winter Program Enhancement
- Palliser Regional Library – Follow the Plot Story Trails
- Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation – Strengthening Food Security and Health Through Gardening and Traditional Hunting
- SARBI (The Saskatchewan Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured) – Virtual Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Persons with Acquired Brain Injury
- SCYAP (Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming Inc.) – Our Community, Our Canvas! Youth Facing Barriers Unite Through Art
- Silton Recreation Board– Railway Platform: A Community Hub for Silton
- Town of Whitewood– Virtually Fit Community Program
Visit healthycommunitiesinitiative.ca for more information about CHCI, or visit Community Foundations of Canada to find CHCI results and view the interactive map of Canada showing all of the projects and locations funded.
Applications are now closed.
