Supporting Indigenous financial participation in infrastructure projects
As of October 1, 2025, the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) is the administrator of the Province’s Indigenous loan guarantee program. Previously known as the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program and managed by the Ontario Financing Authority, the program has facilitated Indigenous participation in electricity infrastructure projects since 2009, making it the longest running Indigenous loan guarantee program in Canada. With the backing of loan guarantees, Indigenous partners have been able to secure capital to invest in eligible electricity infrastructure, creating long-term income streams and lasting economic benefits.
of electricity infrastructure projects in Ontario supported
in Indigenous equity participation enabled
Launched with an initial envelope of $250 million, the loan guarantee program has expanded steadily based on its success in advancing Indigenous access to capital. In the Ontario government’s 2025 Budget, the program was tripled from $1 billion to $3 billion, and its mandate expanded to include eligible projects in energy, critical minerals, and resource development.
BOF is expanding upon the Indigenous loan guarantee program and integrating it into the Fund’s suite of financing tools to offer more financing opportunities for Indigenous partners. Based on engagements with Indigenous partners, BOF plans to offer a one-window approach for Indigenous partners to access a broad array of infrastructure financing tools.
The loan guarantee program is available to entities that are wholly owned by one or more Indigenous partners funding a portion of their equity investments in eligible infrastructure projects with a loan. Eligible projects are required to meet specific criteria.
The program has an extensive due diligence process and all loan guarantees under the program require Ontario government approval. Once a loan guarantee has been executed, a funded project’s financial and operational status are tracked to align with the terms of the agreement.
For more information, please email iofp@buildingonfund.ca.
