Carney and Smith Announce $510 Million Alberta Housing Fund

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a joint infrastructure partnership in Red Deer on July 29, 2026, to accelerate affordable homebuilding. Through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, the federal government will invest over $510 million over eight years to upgrade water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste systems in Alberta municipalities. The Government of Alberta committed to contributing at least one-third of eligible project costs, totaling up to $428 million. At least $100 million of the total funding is reserved for rural and Indigenous communities.

The agreement supports Alberta's goal of constructing 25,000 additional affordable homes by 2031 and is expected to support 750 skilled trades jobs annually. The announcement in Red Deer also served as a gesture of goodwill after the city lost a $12-million Housing Accelerator Fund grant due to zoning non-compliance.

During the visit, Carney also touted a $3 billion trade deal with China to benefit canola farmers and visited Antler Valley Farm. Despite the cooperative announcement, the visit took place amid significant political tension. Approximately 30 separatist supporters protested Carney's visit as Alberta prepares for an October 19 referendum regarding the province's continued membership in the Canadian Confederation.