FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 6, 2026

REGINA, SK – On Nov. 5, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, tabled Budget 2026, “Masters of Our Destiny.” Focused on economic sovereignty and affordability, the budget plans to launch an “Investment Supercycle.”

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) is pleased that Budget 2026 delivers on several of the Chamber’s advocacy priorities. These include the previously announced Productivity Mega Deduction, Bill C-39 (the Building Canada Strong Act), and the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund. They also include:

• Trade-enabling infrastructure, including West Coast gateway projects such as Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and the Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy
• $55.3 million over two years to advance digital trade
• Tax treatment for helium exploration and development in line with conventional oil and gas ($54 million over four years), a first step toward the Chamber’s call to recognize helium as a critical mineral under the Income Tax Act
• $424.4 million to renew the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy
• $518.5 million for the Nuclear Energy Strategy
• Improved access for small and medium-sized businesses to federal procurement and defence supply chains through the Small Business Procurement Program, the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, and Defence Industry Assist
• A pathway for up to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada to become permanent residents by the end of 2027, including 100,000 through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program, along with reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. By increasing the provincial and territorial share of permanent economic immigration, this delivers on a key call from the Chamber and its Western Business Coalition partners for greater provincial flexibility to respond to regional labour-market needs.

Budget 2026 includes additional measures that will help businesses of every size and sector grow. The new Canada Growth Incentive and enhanced small business rollover will encourage founders and investors to reinvest in Canadian companies, while a $930 million expansion of SR&ED will help businesses commercialize new research. A $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund, a $150 million Food Security Fund for small and medium-sized businesses, and a commitment to reduce red tape across the agricultural supply chain will support Saskatchewan’s food producers and processors.

The Chamber is also encouraged to see Saskatchewan’s growing role in the national economy recognized, including Bell’s AI infrastructure hub (more than $50 billion in planned investment) and the McIlvenna Bay Project, which is advancing through the Major Projects Office.

The Chamber recognizes that this year’s projected deficit of $62.3 billion is lower than forecast in the spring, and that the budget targets balancing day-to-day operating spending by 2027–28. With deficits projected through the forecast horizon, the Chamber encourages a clear timeline and measurable commitments toward overall fiscal balance.

Building on the progress in this budget, the Chamber looks forward to working with the Government of Canada on priorities from its 2026 Federal Pre-Budget Submission. These include treating helium the same as other minerals on Canada’s Critical Minerals List, with access to the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, and explicit eligibility for Northern Saskatchewan under the First and Last Mile Fund (formerly the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund). The Chamber also welcomes faster, more coordinated federal reviews under Bill C-39 and encourages the government to build on them by raising Impact Assessment Act thresholds, so that critical minerals projects within provincial expertise can proceed through provincial review.

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“Budget 2026 sends a clear signal that Canada is serious about strengthening our domestic economy and competing with our G7 peers. Faster approvals, stronger trade corridors, and greater provincial flexibility to meet labour-market needs matter to businesses in every sector of an export-driven province whose products reach markets around the world. The next step is implementation and a clear path to fiscal balance. Saskatchewan businesses are ready to do their part.” – Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

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ABOUT SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is a leading advocate for business in the province, committed to driving economic growth and championing a thriving business community. As the “Voice of Saskatchewan Business,” the Chamber represents the interests of over 10,000 individual businesses, industry associations, and local chambers. More information can be found at saskchamber.com or @SaskChamber on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Josie Fries, Vice President, Marketing and Operations

E: jfries@saskchamber.com    |    P: 306-781-3125