Budget 2026, released by the Government of Canada on November 5, 2026, provides a comprehensive and practical plan for taking national action to strengthen Canada’s economy, and advance priorities related to the changing climate. The plan’s measures are backed by significant financial resources in a wide range of areas, which will lever substantial investments by the private sector. Together, these measures recognize that Canada’s economic competitiveness, resource security and environmental wellbeing interconnected.
Highlights of Budget 2026 include:
- $50 billion in investment in a clean and affordable electricity grid, an impressive investment in one million heat pumps that will help Canadians lower their energy bills, and an additional $400 million in support to help industrial and manufacturing businesses reduce their energy costs and boost competitiveness.
- Extending the Clean Technology and Clean Electricity investment tax credits (ITCs) to the end of 2040, which will provide the certainty needed for those undertaking longer-term projects.
- $587 million to renew the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), supporting the expansion of Canada’s national public electric vehicle (EV) charging network through the installation of over 55,000 additional chargers.
- $45 million to fund research and development for charging infrastructure, which will help bring innovative Canadian EV charging solutions to market, delivering more affordable, reliable, and accessible charging.
- $424.5 million to renew the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which will support the strategic investments needed to mine and process our critical minerals and expand our geoscience and research capacity, which is essential for supporting the electrification of Canada’s economy.
- $76 million for the renewal of the Circular Economy for Plastics initiative, supporting efforts to reduce plastic waste and increase circularity through regulatory development, gathering relevant and consistent data, and conducting scientific research activities to inform policy making.
- $4 billion to support a new Forestry Sector Accelerator to make investments in new large-scale facilities and in major transformations of existing facilities, including biorefineries, biofuel facilities, and other facilities producing higher-value and innovative forest products.
As Budget 2026 outlines investments in energy, infrastructure and development, continued attention to freshwater security will be equally important. Ensuring access to clean and reliable water, protecting freshwater ecosystems and making more efficient use of water resources are fundamental to Canada’s economic security and long-term prosperity. Further investment in water conservation, wastewater innovation, and water reuse can help advance these objectives while creating new opportunities for innovation and more sustainable resource management.
“Pollution Probe commends the Government of Canada for the impressive commitments in Budget 2026 to advancing Canada’s environmental and economic priorities, including action on climate change. Together, these investments provide an important foundation for achieving Canada’s net-zero ambitions.
The commitments highlighted in this statement, together with others identified in Budget 2026, will help to build a cleaner, more competitive economy and create employment opportunities for Canadians. In addition, they provide a strong independent foundation for collaboration and partnerships with like-minded countries internationally.
Pollution Probe looks forward to supporting and partnering with the Government of Canada on the implementation of Budget 2026 measures to translate these investments into meaningful, lasting outcomes.”
– Melissa DeYoung, Chief Executive Officer, Pollution Probe