Parliamentary Secretary McKelvie highlights Government of Canada's investments from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny

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Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Nov 12, 2026, 15:17 ET

OSHAWA, ON, Nov. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- 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.

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

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, Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, toured the Feed the Need in Durham, meeting with local residents and stakeholders in Oshawa to highlight key affordability measures from Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny.

Budget 2026 includes more than $22 billion over five years in new measures to help Canadians manage the cost of living, keep more money in their pockets, and build a stronger future. These measures will help workers get ahead, support families with the cost of everyday essentials, lower household energy costs, and ensure economic growth creates opportunities for Canadians across the country.

 Budget 2026 delivers affordability for Canadians by:

  • Enhancing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with a 2027 Supplement to give more than 12 million Canadians a 50% boost, which is $4.1 billion in extra help with groceries and essentials.
  • Making 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.
  • Providing $1.2 billion in 2027-28 to extend mental health, addictions, and home and community care agreements that will help more Canadians access the care they need regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Temporarily suspending the federal fuel excise tax, reducing Canadians' bills at the pump by up to 10 cents per litre on gasoline and up to 4 cents on diesel.

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 

"Our government is taking meaningful action to make life more affordable for Canadians. Through targeted measures like supporting first-time home buyers, lowering the cost of food and gas, and reducing home energy bills, Budget 2026 puts more money back in the pockets of Canadians. I'm proud to support a budget that prioritises affordability, allowing Canadians to provide more for their families and to feel confident about their futures."

Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Canada and Member of Parliament for Ajax

"As a growing number of residents in Durham face the realities of food insecurity, Feed the Need in Durham welcomes these investments as an important commitment to strengthening the supports that individuals and families need to thrive. Investments in housing, income security and local food infrastructure can make a meaningful difference for people facing food and financial insecurity. At Feed the Need in Durham, we see both the impact of these challenges and the strength of community responses every day. We look forward to working closely with government to build on this progress and advance long-term solutions that create greater affordability, resilience and security for all Canadians."

Ben Earle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Feed the Need in Durham

Quick facts

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 be 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, signaling 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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Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Soraya Lemur, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]

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