OTTAWA — NOVEMBER 6, 2026 — The Coalition for a Better Future welcomes Budget 2026 as a positive continuation of the growth agenda and as an acknowledgement of the investment needed for a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.
The budget sets out a broad vision to unlock investment, advance nation-building projects, and strengthen economic security.
The Coalition welcomes the government's recognition of several productivity challenges—something the Coalition has tracked for five years in our Scorecard report. We are encouraged that the government is prioritizing measures to close the productivity gap with the United States, drive technology investments, and support innovation, skills development, and workforce mobility. However, as the Coalition has consistently highlighted, it’s time to execute on the policies that will create the prosperity Canadians need to overcome affordability challenges.
“Big-picture visioning for Canada’s economic future is essential, but the hardest part is getting it done,” said Hon. Lisa Raitt, co-chair of the Coalition for a Better Future. “We need to turn these commitments into job creation, higher incomes, and the sustainable growth needed to support average Canadian families struggling with everyday affordability, and a broader economy suffering from weak productivity."
Hon. Anne McLellan, co-chair of the Coalition for a Better Future, also noted that Budget 2026 contains the right building blocks to encourage private investment and enhance competitiveness. “The real test now is whether the public and private sectors can work together to generate the economic growth necessary to support our public services for generations to come."
The Coalition has long advocated for removing interprovincial trade barriers. We are encouraged to see the budget highlight that eliminating these barriers could boost Canada’s GDP by up to 7%, or $210 billion a year, according to the International Monetary Fund. The Coalition urges all orders of government to work together in facilitating the seamless flow of goods and services across provincial borders.
The Coalition evaluates economic progress using a Scorecard comprised of 21 metrics across three themes: living better, growing sustainably, and winning globally. Reviewing the budget through these, the Coalition welcomed measures to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, enhance private investment, and modernize critical infrastructure.
We highlight the following key measures in Budget 2026 that align with our pillars:
Formalization of the Productivity Mega Deduction that enhances write-offs to spur business capital investment across key industries.
$50 billion over 10 years to advance Indigenous reconciliation in areas like water, infrastructure, housing, and education.
$8.7 billion over four years for the Powering Canada Strong action plan, which will extend the clean technology and clean energy investment tax credits to 2040 and provide $ 4 billion over 10 years to support electricity infrastructure expansion and renewable energy projects
Commitments to simplify the tax system for individuals and SMEs
Expands the Scientific Research and Experimental Development program to encourage businesses to conduct R&D within Canada.
Economic growth is about creating opportunities, raising living standards, and ensuring every Canadian can thrive. As global trade headwinds and geopolitical uncertainties persist, Canada’s window to act is narrow. The Coalition for a Better Future will continue to track progress through our annual Scorecard to ensure government policies effectively foster inclusive, sustainable, long-term economic growth.
About the Coalition for a Better Future
The Coalition for a Better Future represents a diverse and growing community of like-minded organizations in the private and not-for-profit sectors. We are unified in our belief that economic growth is necessary for job creation, rising incomes, a cleaner environment, and a better quality of life.
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact: info@canadacoalition.ca
