Calgary, AB, November 5, 2026 – The Calgary Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see Budget 2026 reflect a sustained focus on Canada’s sovereignty and economic growth. With ongoing trade uncertainty and increasing competition for capital, now is the time to create the conditions that enable businesses to invest, expand and create jobs at home. Budget 2026 tables several key priorities advanced by the Calgary Chamber, particularly regulatory reform, measures to spur entrepreneurship and trade-enabling infrastructure that help achieve the goal of economic growth.
“Budget 2026 takes important steps toward strengthening Canada’s competitiveness, with meaningful measures to encourage private investment, accelerate major projects and expand access to international markets,” says Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “However, the success of these measures will ultimately be determined by their implementation. Businesses need a competitive and predictable tax environment, efficient regulations, access to talent and the infrastructure required to grow.”
Notably, we welcome the Canada Growth Incentive, which will make it easier for entrepreneurs and investors to reinvest up to $15 million in capital gains from a successful startup into the next Canadian small business, by extending the reinvestment period and providing greater flexibility. This is a positive step toward unlocking private capital, supporting entrepreneurship and helping Canadian startups and growing businesses access the investment they need to scale.
While the recently announced Productivity Mega Deduction responds to concerns we have consistently heard from our members about Canada’s ability to compete for investment, it is not a substitute for comprehensive tax reform. Canada’s tax system remains unnecessarily complex, creating administrative burdens and uncertainty for businesses, and we strongly encourage the government to address small business tax competitiveness.
“Targeted incentives send the right signal, but they can’t make up for a tax system that has become too complex for businesses to navigate,” adds Yedlin. “Our members are clear that certainty matters as much as cost. A comprehensive review of the tax system, along with meaningful tax relief for small businesses, would go a long way toward turning today’s commitments into investment on the ground.”
We also welcome the federal government’s commitment of more than $50 billion through the Canada Electricity Strategy, to support the goal of doubling electricity grid capacity by 2050, as well as the extension of the Electricity Investment Tax Credit to 2040. Investments in electricity generation, transmission, interties and grid modernization will be essential to meeting growing demand, supporting electrification and attracting private investment.
Canada has the resources the world needs, but to realize our full potential we need a reliable workforce. This involves removing barriers to immigration and internal labour mobility and supporting our current workforce with the training and skills development needed to succeed. We also need to see continued investments in digitization and the promotion of AI adoption, especially for SMEs, to help businesses improve productivity and remain competitive.
The Calgary Chamber will continue to work closely with the federal government to address outstanding challenges and meet the needs of our business community, particularly for small businesses and Alberta’s major industries.
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About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
The Calgary Chamber exists to empower our business community to advance a prosperous Calgary and Canada. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.
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