London, ON - In a world reshaped by geopolitical competition, protectionism, and rapidly evolving technologies, Canada stands apart. Our abundant natural resources, clean and reliable energy, world-class talent, strong public finances, and access to global markets give us a clear competitive advantage.
These foundations are already translating into results: investment is growing, major projects are being built, and businesses are reaching new markets at home and abroad. Budget 2026 keeps Canada on a path to meet both fiscal anchors: balancing day-to-day operating spending with revenues by 2027-28, a full year ahead of schedule, and keeping the deficit-to-GDP ratio on a declining path.
Today, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Arielle Kayabaga, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Peter Fragiskatos, met with community members in London to highlight key investments from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny in community recreational facilities and ice rinks.
Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities.
Budget 2026 proposes to provide $1.5 billion over nine years through the Build Communities Strong Fund to support the construction, expansion, retrofit, and rehabilitation of community recreational facilities and ice rinks across Canada. This includes $750 million for ice rinks and $750 million for other community recreational facilities. These investments will help extend the life of aging facilities and ensure communities have modern, welcoming places to come together, compete, train, and play.
Budget 2026 is an ambitious plan to meet this moment and shape Canada's economic future: building on our strengths, driving investment, boosting productivity, diversifying our trade, creating good jobs, and making life more affordable for Canadians.
Budget 2026 catalyses growth:
- It mobilises private capital, accelerates Canada's Investment Supercycle, and sets the stage for long-term growth and a stronger, more sovereign Canada.
- It introduces measures to improve competitiveness that will help Canadian businesses, startups and innovators scale and commercialise at home, while the Canada Growth Incentive will mobilise more Canadian capital behind Canadian companies.
- It proposes major tax policy changes, the new Productivity Mega Deduction and the Canada Strong Fund to help make Canada the destination of choice for global investors.
- It provides funding for the Canada Electricity Strategy to double grid capacity by 2050 to meet growing demand, while accelerating electrification, grid modernisation, and clean power expansion.
- It makes investments in nuclear energy and critical minerals that will create high-paying jobs for Canadians, grow exports, and strengthen Canada's position as a global energy superpower.
Budget 2026 delivers for people:
- It puts Canada on a path to end homelessness in 10 years, in coordination with municipalities, provinces, and territories.
- It enhances the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with a 2027 Supplement and expands Nutrition North Canada to lower the cost of food for Canadians.
- It makes the Canada Caregiver Credit fully refundable, helps Canadians get a better deal on their mortgage, and cuts monthly energy bills by supporting one million energy-efficient home retrofits.
- It also takes major steps to tackle long-term pressures by building more homes, strengthening competition across the economy, and recruiting and training the workers Canada needs for the future.
Budget 2026 also strengthens Canada's sovereignty:
- It includes initiatives to support Canadian arts, culture, heritage, and journalism through a flagship Canada 160 Fund, a renewed Canada Strong Pass, permanently free admission to national museums for children and youth under 25, and $1.5 billion to expand, retrofit, and rehabilitate ice rinks and recreational facilities across the country.
- It protects Canada's natural wealth through the Nature Strategy and advances reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through more than $50 billion in investments.
- It strengthens our sovereignty and defence capabilities, supports our Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, and helps ensure Canadians feel safe in their communities, at home, and online.
