Minister Hodgson highlights Government of Canada's investments from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny in Southeast Alberta

MEDICINE HAT, AB, Nov. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- In a world being reshaped by geopolitical competition, protectionism and rapidly evolving technologies, Canada stands apart. Our abundant energy and natural resources, world-class talent, strong public finances and access to global markets give us a clear competitive advantage.

We have the strength to build and the discipline to deliver.

This foundation is already translating into results: investment is growing, major projects are being built, and businesses are reaching new markets at home and abroad. Building on that strength, Budget 2026 keeps Canada on a path to meet key fiscal anchors: balancing day-to-day operating spending with revenues by 2027–2028, a full year ahead of schedule, and keeping the deficit-to-GDP ratio on a declining path.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, visited Medicine Hat, Alberta, to highlight how Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny sets out the next phase of the federal government's plan to build a stronger, more affordable, independent and resilient Canadian economy. Budget 2026 includes targeted measures to help manage the cost of everyday essentials, including groceries, housing, energy and caregiving supports.

While in Medicine Hat, Minister Hodgson visited the South Country Co-op 13th Avenue Food Centre to highlight Budget 2026's enhanced Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, under which eligible Canadians will receive additional support to help offset the cost of food and basic necessities. A one-time 50 percent increase to the benefit early next year will provide up to $339 for a single person without children and up to $679 for a couple with two children. Enhancing the Groceries and Essentials Benefit builds on the government's plan to strengthen Canada's economy and create good jobs while addressing the cost of living. Taken together, the measures in Budget 2026 could lift hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty in 2027.

Minister Hodgson also spoke to the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce in Medicine Hat. He underscored how Budget 2026 is accelerating Canada's Investment Supercycle by mobilizing private sector capital, boosting productivity and supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses as they start, scale and compete. Building on Canada's energy and natural resource advantage, the Budget also includes investments to expand electricity infrastructure, advance nuclear energy and bring more critical minerals to market. These investments will create jobs, drive economic growth and build long-term prosperity in Alberta and across Canada.

Budget 2026 is an ambitious plan to meet the moment and shape Canada's economic future: building on our strengths, driving investment, boosting productivity, diversifying trade, creating good jobs and making life more affordable for Canadians.

Quotes: 

"Being masters of our destiny is about having the confidence to build on our strengths and shape our own future. Canada has the resources, talent and ambition to succeed. Budget 2026 builds on those strengths by unlocking investment, building more at home, strengthening our energy and natural resource advantage, and helping Canadian businesses grow and compete on the world stage. That's how we will create good jobs, make life more affordable and build a stronger, more resilient and more united Canada for generations to come."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Finance and National Revenue 

"Building a stronger Canada starts with supporting Canadians where it matters most. Budget 2026 is how we are taking action to make life more affordable, including by enhancing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and putting more money directly into Canadians' pockets. These measures will help families in Medicine Hat manage the rising cost of living while we continue building a stronger Canadian economy."  

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

Associated links:

• Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny
• Spring Economic Update 2026: Canada Strong For All
• Technical Backgrounder: Government of Canada introduces the new Canada Strong Fund to give Canadians a stake in what we build
• Technical Backgrounder: Mortgage Insurance Rule Changes to Support "Missing Middle" Housing
• Action Plan: Powering Canada Strong: From Strategy to Action
• Policy Statement: Canada's National Anti-Fraud Strategy

Quick facts:

• Budget 2026 delivers for people:
  • It puts Canada on a path to end homelessness in 10 years, in co-ordination with municipalities, provinces and territories.
  • It enhances the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit 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.
• Despite a challenging global environment, the Canadian economy has shown resilience:
  • Canada's economy grew by 3.3% in the second quarter, the fastest pace in the G7.
  • The IMF expects Canada to have the second-fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2027.
  • Canada is expected to maintain one of the lowest deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7, signalling fiscal strength and the capacity to invest in the future.
  • More Canadians are benefiting from labour market strength. Over the past year, Canada's economy has added 214,000 jobs in private employment while the unemployment rate has fallen to 6.5%, near its lowest level in two years.
  • Since the end of 2024, Canada has also created nearly twice as many jobs per capita as the United States.
  • Rising productivity is helping lay the foundation for stronger wage growth and higher living standards, with productivity increasing by 1.2% over the last year, compared with average growth of just 0.1% following the pandemic.
  • Foreign direct investment in Canada is at its highest level in nearly two decades. Canada attracted $98 billion in foreign investment in 2025 and has led the G7 in direct investment inflows per capita since early 2025.
  • Canada has the lowest tax burden on new investment in the G7, encouraging businesses to invest, innovate and grow in Canada.
  • Nominal goods and services exports to countries other than the United States increased by $33 billion in 2025 and are on pace to rise by a further $57 billion in 2026, as more Canadian businesses reach new markets.
  • Canada is the only G7 country with free trade agreements with every other G7 member. Through 15 agreements in force covering 51 countries, Canadian businesses already have preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers and economies representing two-thirds of global GDP.
  • Measures to make life more affordable are working. The share of household income needed to cover housing costs has fallen by roughly a quarter, asking rents have dropped for two consecutive years, and the average cost of child care has fallen around 30% nationwide since 2019.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Media may contact: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Charlotte Power, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]