Budget 2026: Strengthening what matters

Budget 2026 includes billions in investments to strengthen Alberta’s economy.

Alberta continues to lead Canada in average weekly earnings, GDP per capita and strong business investment. However, families continue to feel the pressures of the rising cost of living and higher grocery and energy costs, due to population growth and global market uncertainty. 

Alberta’s government is taking a disciplined approach to protect jobs, support communities and strengthen the foundations of long-term economic growth. Budget 2026 focuses on creating the conditions for investment, training more skilled workers, supporting municipalities and advancing the responsible development of Alberta’s energy sector.

“Budget 2026 is focused on helping Albertans find good jobs and ensuring our children have even greater opportunities down the line. By supporting businesses that invest here, strengthening our municipalities and making disciplined financial choices, we’re building the conditions for long-term stability and success.”

Budget 2026 highlights:

Supporting a strong workforce

Budget 2026 helps attract and develop the skilled workforce Alberta needs with:

• $115 million in 2026-27 for skills and training programs and workforce initiatives to help attract and develop skilled workers to meet the demands of a growing economy.
• $246 million in 2026-27 for Career and Employment Services, including an $80 million increase, to Career and Employment Services to help more people find and retain gainful employment.
• $125 million, or $385 million over three years, for the Innovation Employment Grant Program, to help tech entrepreneurs grow new companies and create new jobs.
• $8 million over three years to establish a new DNA lab which will speed up investigations and prosecutions and reduce reliance on the RCMP’s national lab.
• $2.1 billion in 2026-27 for continued support for affordable child care so more parents can pursue training, education and work opportunities.

“By investing in our future and growing the economy, Alberta’s government is keeping Alberta the best place to live, work and raise a family. We’re helping businesses grow and export, attracting skilled workers, advancing a more sustainable, Alberta-focused approach to immigration, supporting safe, fair and healthy workplaces and building strong, welcoming communities across the province.”

Post-secondary education and skills training

Budget 2026 is focused on growing a highly skilled workforce with:

• $2.2 billion for post-secondary operations in 2026-27, an increase of $115 million from 2025-26, so Alberta’s post-secondary system can continue to transform and modernize post-secondary education while remaining accessible and affordable for those who wish to pursue it.
  • $353 million in continued support for existing targeted enrolment expansion over three years, with an additional $148 million over three years to increase capacity and create new seats to attract talent in programs that support high-demand industries, including engineering, health care and education.
  • $83 million over three years to support doubling of enrolment at the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine program.
  • $1.3 billion in 2026-27 to help students in Alberta access a post-secondary education through loans, grants, scholarships and awards. This includes:
    • $100 million to support foundational learning through assistance grants.
    • $96 million through the Apprenticeship Learning Grant to support increased demand for apprenticeship seat capacity. Registered apprentices in skilled trades have reached a record high of more than 78,000.
    • $75 million in student aid grants and an additional $107 million in scholarships and awards.
    • $887 million in student loans issued at low interest rates, and favorable repayment terms and conditions to aid in post-secondary affordability.
  • $1.8 billion over three years for crucial post-secondary facilities, including capital projects, capital maintenance and renewal funding, and post-secondary institution self-financed contributions, that expand student capacity and help develop a skilled workforce. This includes:
    • $384 million over three years for the NAIT Advanced Skills Centre to address Alberta’s growing demand for skilled trades and technology professionals by adding 5,500 learning spaces.
    • $7 million in new funding for the Lakeland College Beef Yard Upgrade and Horse Pen Relocation.
    • $5 million for planning for the expansion of health programming at Bow Valley College.
    • $2 million for planning for the Centre for Community Wellness at Medicine Hat College.
    • $160 million over three years as continued investment in the development of the Multi-Disciplinary Hub at the University of Calgary to allow more students to access science, technology, engineering and math facilities and training.
    • $90 million over two years for the development of a new building for MacEwan University – School of Business to accommodate up to 30,000 students.
    • $70 million over two years for the redevelopment of the Biological Sciences Centre at the University of Alberta to provide nearly 3,200 spaces in high demand programs.
    • $35 million over two years for the development of University of Lethbridge Rural Medical Teaching School, supporting the training of health care professionals in southeastern Alberta.
    • $483 million over three years in capital maintenance and renewal funding.

“A strong economy starts with a strong post-secondary system. Budget 2026 invests in the programs, training spaces and campus infrastructure needed to prepare Alberta’s students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. We are growing capacity in high-demand fields, supporting apprenticeships and keeping education accessible and affordable – because when Albertans succeed, our province succeeds.”

Supporting communities

Budget 2026 invests in stronger, more resilient communities by investing $7.1 billion to support local infrastructure needs including roads, water systems, bridges and essential community facilities, including:

• $2.6 billion over three years to maintain the Local Government Fiscal Framework providing municipalities with predictable, stable funding, including $563 million for Edmonton and $808 million for Calgary.
• $66 million to replace the existing Smith Bridge in the M.D. of Lesser Slave River. The project will improve access for local industries and residents in the Slave Lake region.
• $39 million for site servicing to accommodate Beaumont’s Innovation Park development.
• $103 million for drought and flood mitigation projects to support communities improve their long-term resilience.
• $38 million for wildfire investment to sustain the province’s commitment to wildfire pre-suppression and response.
• This does not include capital investment for five air tankers, as delivery of these aircrafts is expected to begin in 2031; therefore, funding will be included in future capital plans.
• $19 million for public safety and emergency infrastructure, including Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System and environmental monitoring.
• $21.2 million over three years to expand the electronic monitoring program, helping keep communities safe.

“This budget reflects the difficult but responsible choices required in times of real challenge. By maintaining essential funding and delivering on our commitments, we continue to support communities today while building for the future.”

Energy, pipelines and resource development

Budget 2026 helps maintain Alberta as a global leader of responsible, reliable energy production with:

• $15 million over 2025-26 and 2026-27 for early planning work to advance an oil pipeline to the West Coast. This includes cost estimates and engagement to help inform a credible proposal for federal consideration.
• Funding for system enhancements to implement the Bitumen Royalty In Kind program.
  • System upgrades are needed for this program that could help the province obtain the top global price for oil and spur private investment.
• $530,000 to continue engagement with people across Alberta about nuclear energy and develop a provincial roadmap and regulatory framework.
• Alberta’s government will begin the sale of Renewable Energy Credits to make up a small portion of the losses from the Renewable Energy Program, which was introduced by a previous government.

“Our economy is fuelled by our responsibly produced oil and gas, and the global demand has never been higher or more important. The investments we are making in the energy sector in Budget 2026 will ensure we are able to build hospitals, schools and roads, and power this province for generations to come.”

Supporting trade and diversification

Budget 2026 continues to diversify Alberta’s economy and expand opportunities for businesses with:

• $9 million over three years for the Cooperative Seed Processors Program to upgrade aging infrastructure, equipment and technology in seed processing facilities.
• $4.6 billion over three years to develop and maintain provincially owned network of roads and bridges that connect municipalities and communities throughout Alberta, supporting safe and efficient flow of industrial, commercial and passenger traffic.
• $129 million in 2026 for economic development and trade, supporting investment attraction and enhancing internal and international trade.

Investing in business and industry

Budget 2026 supports business growth, investment attraction and long-term competitiveness through:

• $25 million over three years to support Indigenous-led projects through the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative and the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund.
• $20 million for small-business supports and regional economic development to drive local growth and job creation.
• $385 million over three years for the Innovation and Employment Grant program that provides small- and medium-sized businesses with refundable tax credits for qualifying investments in research and development in the province.
• $15 million over three years to support the Passenger Rail Master Plan to develop a passenger rail network.
• A $76 million investment in Travel Alberta that will create jobs and support family-owned businesses and Indigenous-led tourism operators, helping local economies thrive.
• $4 million for a major rehabilitation of the Cooking Lake Airport’s runway and apron areas.
• $39 million over three years for site servicing to accommodate development of the Innovation Park in Beaumont.
• $87 million over three years for the Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP) that attracts investment and supports Alberta’s position as a global petrochemical producer.
  • To date, Alberta’s government has committed $647 million to five major projects representing $9.1 billion in private-sector investment across petrochemicals, hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
• $225,000 in 2026–27 for the creation of the Premier’s Investment Council Secretariat, which will enable a more consolidated and strategic approach to investment attraction across government departments and key partner agencies, and better track major investment files. 

Budget 2026 is focused on what matters with targeted investments in students and classrooms, health care and the economy, while showing strong fiscal leadership and controlling costs.

Related information

• Budget 2026