EDMONTON – November 5, 2026 – The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce welcomes today's Federal Budget 2026, Masters of our Destiny, and its focus on helping Canadian businesses invest, improve productivity, and compete globally. Several measures align directly with recommendations in the Edmonton Chamber’s 2026 Federal Budget Submission, particularly those related to productivity-enhancing investment, commercialization of innovation, and creating stronger conditions for Canadian businesses to grow and compete globally. 

"Edmonton businesses have consistently told us that it needs to be easier to do business in Canada," said Doug Griffiths, President and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. "Budget 2026 recognizes that a stronger economy starts with businesses having the confidence and capacity to invest, innovate, and expand. The next step is turning these commitments into results for businesses here in Edmonton.” 

The Chamber is encouraged by the government's Productivity Mega Deduction, a measure supported in the Chamber’s federal budget submission The Productivity Mega Deduction will significantly improve Canada's tax competitiveness, putting us first in the G7 and ahead of the United States.  

“Better equipment and technology help Canadian businesses boost output, compete harder and grow,” said Heather Thomson, Vice President of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “Now businesses need to be able to access these incentives quickly and with confidence.”

Canada’s research strengths must translate into more commercially successful products and growing Canadian companies. As such, the Chamber welcomes both the expansion of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive program to include commercialization-related expenses, and the introduction of the Canada Growth Incentive.  

The Chamber applauds the federal government's investments in supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and community mental health and addictions infrastructure. The new Health Infrastructure Fund and Integrated Supports Fund recognize that addressing homelessness requires more than housing alone. These investments align with the Chamber's long-standing position that economic competitiveness and public safety are deeply connected. 

"Businesses want to invest and grow in communities where people feel safe living, working, shopping, and visiting. Investments in mental health, addictions treatment, supportive housing, and community-based care are investments in people and in our city’s economic future” Thomson said.  

Budget 2026 misses an opportunity to strengthen Alberta’s role in Canada’s defence and northern sovereignty priorities through targeted infrastructure investment. Corridors such as Highway 28, connecting Edmonton to Cold Lake, are critical to military readiness and regional economic growth. The Chamber will continue advocating for federal investment in these strategic connections. While encouraged by the direction outlined in Budget 2026, the Chamber notes that implementation will ultimately determine its success. 

We look forward to welcoming Minister Olszewski on November 12 to discuss Budget 2026 and what it means for Edmonton businesses. Limited tickets are available here.