How Alberta Budget 2026 impacts each sector of the economy.
Alberta Budget 2026 sees Agriculture and Irrigation spending drop 43% to $963M as $705M in drought disaster costs do not recur, with $201M in capital planned.
Agriculture and Irrigation Expense
$963M
-43.5%
Alberta Budget 2026 introduces a data centre levy projected to generate $102M by 2028-29, while a $750M eStruxture facility nears completion.
Data Centre Levy Revenue (2028-29)
$102M
New revenue stream
Alberta Budget 2026 invests $722M in new K-12 funding, hires 3,000 teachers, and commits $4B in school capital, but child care faces federal uncertainty.
Education and Childcare Expense
$13.4B
+7.7% ($963M)
Alberta Budget 2026 holds electricity spending steady at $153M while demand is projected to double by 2050, relying on $5.5B in private sector investment.
Affordability and Utilities Expense
$153M
+3.4%
Alberta Budget 2026 cuts environment spending 11% to $484M while pursuing Water Act reform, $75M in flood mitigation, and TIER regulatory changes.
Environment and Protected Areas Expense
$484M
-11.2% ($61M)
Alberta Budget 2026 sees Forestry and Parks spending drop 64% to $421M after $756M in wildfire costs, with a $424.5M capital plan for parks and fire readiness.
Forestry and Parks Expense
$421M
-64.3%
Alberta Budget 2026 adds $1.9B in new healthcare funding across four restructured agencies, targeting surgical backlogs, mental health, and cancer care.
Total Health Sector Expense
$34.4B
+5.0% annually
Alberta Budget 2026 forecasts housing starts declining 27% to 40,000 units, with $768M for affordable housing and $923M for continuing care construction.
Housing Starts Forecast
40,000 units
-27% from 2025 peak
Alberta Budget 2026 brings new Indigenous housing capital ($75M), pipeline co-ownership, and iGaming revenue for FNDF, with cross-ministry investments totalling $148M.
Indigenous Relations Expense
$268M
+4.7% ($11M)
Alberta Budget 2026 gives Technology and Innovation a 10% boost to $1.1B, but a broadband funding cliff and 72% capital drop loom after 2026-27.
Technology and Innovation Expense
$1,103M
+10% ($97M)
Alberta Budget 2026 cuts the JETI ministry 8% to $422M as key programs end, but doubles immigration nominations to 14,000 and expands workforce initiatives.
JETI Ministry Expense
$422M
-8.3% ($38M)
Alberta Budget 2026 invests $2.67B over three years in highway expansion for trade corridors, up $180M from Budget 2025, amid U.S. tariff uncertainty.
Highway Expansion (Three-Year)
$2,670M
+$180M from Budget 2025
Alberta Budget 2026 projects manufacturing exports growing 1.8% after a 2.8% decline, with the province having the lowest U.S. tariff exposure at 1-2%.
Manufacturing Export Growth (2026)
1.8%
After -2.8% in 2025
Alberta Budget 2026 enacts the Mineral Resource Development Act to create a one-window AER regulator for lithium, uranium, and rare earths.
Energy and Minerals Expense
$894M
-13.0%
Alberta Budget 2026 allocates $7.1B over three years for municipal infrastructure, 25% of the total capital plan, with $2.59B through the LGFF.
Municipal Infrastructure Capital Envelope
$7,094M
25% of total capital plan
Alberta Budget 2026 projects bitumen royalty revenue falling $3.0B to $9,688M as WTI drops to US$60.50/bbl, the lowest assumption in recent years.
Bitumen Royalty Revenue
$9,688M
-23.5%
Alberta Budget 2026 invests $424M in parks capital over three years including new campgrounds and trail upgrades, but flat operations amid growing demand.
-64% (wildfire base effect)
Alberta Budget 2026 allocates $87M over three years for APIP, which has leveraged $647M in government funding into $9.1B in private investment.
APIP Three-Year Capital Allocation
$87M
Back-loaded: $7M, $18M, $62M
Alberta Budget 2026 invests $501M in targeted enrolment expansion and $1.8B in campus capital, but operating growth of 0.8% trails inflation.
Advanced Education Expense
$7.7B
+0.8% ($63M)
Alberta Budget 2026 increases public safety spending 4% to $1.5B, launches $319M Compassionate Intervention Centres, and expands Alberta Sheriffs Police.
Public Safety and Emergency Services
$1,509M
+4.1% ($60M)
Alberta Budget 2026 spends $12.2B on assisted living with $2.2B in capital, but cuts seniors income thresholds 9% and introduces 6-month Income Support limits.
Assisted Living and Social Services
$12.2B
+6.0% ($693M)
Alberta Budget 2026 maintains the $16.9B tax advantage but offers limited new small business supports amid trade uncertainty and slowing population growth.
Alberta Tax Advantage
$16.9B
vs. next closest province
Alberta Budget 2026 targets $15.5B in visitor spending and 45% tourism levy growth, but ministry expense declines 6% with minimal capital investment.
Tourism and Sport Expense
$127M
-6% ($8.4M)
Alberta Budget 2026 allocates $8.3B over three years for transportation, the largest ministry capital plan, including $2.35B for Edmonton and Calgary LRT.
Three-Year Capital Plan
$8,253M
Largest ministry allocation
Alberta Budget 2026 holds the Affordability and Utilities ministry at $153M, with 78% of consumers now on competitive electricity contracts.