2025-2026 Alberta Budget Summary

The 2025-2026 Alberta Budget responds to a complex financial landscape for businesses, emphasizing significant investments in infrastructure, health care, and education, while projecting a $5.2 billion deficit influenced by declining oil revenues and rising debt. In light of these challenges, Alberta Chambers of Commerce and businesses are encouraged to focus on risk mitigation, capitalizing on infrastructure investments, and advocating for measures that strengthen business competitiveness.

Key Financial Highlights

• Revenue: $74.1 billion, a decrease of $6.6 billion from the prior year.

• Expenses: $79.3 billion, an increase of $6.1 billion largely due to increased expenditures in health care and infrastructure.

• Deficit: $5.2 billion, with a goal to reduce this to $2 billion by 2027-2028.

• Debt: $83 billion taxpayer-supported, with annual servicing costs of $3 billion.

Challenges & Opportunities Identified in the Fiscal Plan

• Challenges:

  • Lower corporate profits could impact capital spending and employment.

  • Higher borrowing costs due to debt servicing.

  • Economic uncertainty impacting consumer spending.

  • Potential policy adjustments may alter the business landscape (e.g. tariffs.)

• Opportunities:

  • Government-funded infrastructure projects.

  • Growth in health and education sectors for service providers.

  • Workforce development initiatives to meet skills needs.