OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's proposed 2026 federal budget opts for big spending to boost business growth, including investment incentives and tax cuts, but must deliver benefits for working Canadians.

"In this economy of uncertainty, government must protect, fortify and expand Canada's industrial footprint and protect good Canadian jobs," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Budget 2026 bets heavily on the business sector, boosting profits to encourage growth. If this approach isn't anchored by long-run industrial strategies, and a promise of good jobs, this experiment in economy-building will fail."  

Unifor welcomes strategic investments to strengthen forestry fibre supply chains, modernize facilities, and establish a Forestry Sector Accelerator that supports the transformation of existing facilities to manufacture new forest products.  These were recommendations included in the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force's final report, released in April 2026.

"Targeted forestry sector investments in Budget 2026 are instructive, and a clear link between investment policy and industrial strategy," Payne said.  

The union also salutes a renewed focus on made-in-Canada technology and secure sovereign supply chains like CANDU nuclear reactor systems.

However, Budget 2026 does not expand on measures to support other tariff-impacted sectors – such as auto, steel and aluminum – nor does it expand tariff relief for businesses that are struggling under the weight of new Section 338 tariffs. Unifor does recognize the important measures announced for the auto and steel sectors in recent weeks.

The Budget proposes a range of tax incentives supporting employers including the $36 billion Productivity Mega Deduction, the $715 million Canada Growth Incentive permitting greater exemption and deferral of capital gains taxes, and $930 million in tax incentives to expand the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED).

While measures to support low-income workers via the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Build Canada Workers Benefit are a positive step, the benefit do not make a dent in affordability challenges.

Long-awaited permanent improvements to key worker supports such as Employment Insurance (EI) were not included in this budget, despite increased slack in the labour market, historically high youth unemployment, and a declining pace of employment growth.

Budget 2026 offers further clarity on how the day-to-day operations and maintenance of Canada's four largest airports will be parcelled off and sold to "experienced investors", while requiring $38 million in public funding over the next three years to develop a framework for these operating concessions.

"Handing over critical pieces of Canada's transportation infrastructure to for-profit operators forces travellers and airport workers to fill the pockets of private investors who will happily treat the airports that we built as their personal ATMs," continued Payne. "Public infrastructure must remain in public hands so that all Canadians can benefit from safe, affordable air travel."

The union applauds Budget 2026's proposed expansion of the Journalism Labour Tax Credit to include broadcasters, as recommended in Unifor's pre-budget submission.

The corporate friendly budget follows the introduction of sweeping legislation to significantly change the Canada Labour Code,

"This government's decision to believe the Business Council of Canada's line that workers' rights impede investment has resulted in legislation to rollback collective bargaining. The opposite is true, Unifor successfully bargains investments in our communities and fights every day for good jobs which grow Canada's economy. Government should reject Bill C-39's attacks on the right to strike," continued Payne.

Unifor's priorities for the federal budget are outlined in the union's Federal Pre-Budget Submission.

Unifor has advocated for actions to protect jobs, build a more resilient economy, and defend Canadian sovereignty. Find information on the union's asks here.  

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future. 

SOURCE Unifor