• Provinces call on Ottawa to expand mining credit

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-10 12:17:12.0
  Tags: [National, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Taxation, Economy, Resources, Mining, Finance]

  Nearly half of Canada's provinces and territories—specifically Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon—are urging the federal Liberal government to fulfill its 2025 election promise to expand the mineral exploration tax credit to include engineering and feasibility study costs. The Association for Mineral Exploration and the Nunavut and N.W.T. Chamber of Mines argue this measure is crucial to help junior mining companies navigate the late-stage 'valley of death' financing gap. An Ernst & Young report commissioned by the association indicates that covering feasibility and economic viability studies could generate between 14,000 and 34,000 jobs and add $5.2 billion to $12.2 billion in GDP over 10 years. While Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office highlighted recent federal initiatives such as the Productivity Mega Deduction and the Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit, federal expenses under the Canadian exploration expenses framework still exclude economic assessments and feasibility studies.

  Read Original

• Internal documents detail Ottawa's economic worries over Alberta referendum

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-03 08:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Economy, Finance, Energy, Governance]

  Internal documents from Finance Canada and the Justice Department dated June 2026 reveal federal concerns regarding potential economic impacts from Alberta's October 19 separation referendum, including an estimated $18-billion fiscal shock, corporate head office flight, and potential population outflows. The briefing notes highlight that Alberta accounts for 15 per cent of Canada's national GDP, contributes an average of $18 billion annually in net fiscal transfers between 2022 and 2024, and represents 31 per cent of Canada's exports. Furthermore, federal officials warn that existing federal pension legislation governing the Canada Pension Plan contains flawed language and payout formulas that would likely require Supreme Court interpretation if Alberta attempted to withdraw its assets.

  Read Original

• 'Momentous decision': Alberta separation could cost up to $170 billion, says U of C report

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-16 17:30:44.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Finance, Governance, Taxation, Trade]

  A government-commissioned report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy estimates that establishing an independent Alberta would cost between $50 billion and $170 billion in the first five years following separation. Under a 'smooth' secession scenario, the report projects Alberta would add nearly $210 billion in debt—largely from its share of Canada's national debt—along with short-term GDP contraction and initial per-capita tax increases of over $800. Under a 'difficult' scenario involving adversarial negotiations, Alberta's total debt could approach $442 billion (making up nearly 90 per cent of its GDP) with per-capita wage losses reaching $5,500 and short-term tax increases of $5,400 over the first five years. The findings precede an October 19 vote regarding whether the province should further pursue separation, as overseen by Finance Minister Jason Nixon's office and a five-member advisory panel.

  Read Original

• Cost of Alberta separation could be up to $170B: report

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-09-16 16:29:14.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Economy, Finance, Governance]

  An independent report commissioned by the Alberta government and conducted by the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy estimates that the cost for Alberta to separate from Canada could range from $50 billion up to $170 billion in the first five years. The report evaluates two scenarios, outlining that a "difficult" separation path could result in a 10.1 percent loss in GDP, a drop in employment by 10 percent, and a provincial debt reaching $442.3 billion within five years. Conversely, a "smooth" negotiation path would involve lower transition costs and maintain trade market access, though the long-term benefits remain uncertain.

  Read Original