Canada Opens Zero-Emission Transit Applications With Up to $15 Million in Planning and Advisory Funding

OTTAWA — The federal government has launched a new application round under the Zero Emission Transit Fund, offering up to $15 million for planning and advisory services to municipalities and transit agencies across Canada. Housing, Infrastructure and Pacific Economic Development Minister Gregor Robertson announced the call on October 29 in Burlington, Ontario; applications are open from October 29, 2026 to January 14, 2027.

What the money is for: getting the planning right first

Selected not-for-profit organizations and academic institutions will help transit operators prepare for zero-emission buses and related infrastructure, including detailed assessments, analysis and modelling, deployment strategies, performance measurement, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. The government says the work is meant to help operators understand the technical and operational requirements of zero-emission buses before major fleet and infrastructure spending. One distinction matters: this round funds planning and advisory services, not bus purchases themselves; the government says a new capital intake will open in the coming months.

The goal: cleaner, quieter communities

The government says shifting vehicles to zero-emission alternatives will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the impact of climate change on towns and cities, and make communities cleaner and quieter places to live. Public transit, it adds, is essential to affordable and connected communities, helping more Canadians move around quickly, affordably and healthily.