Canadian Business Executives Divided on Budget 2025: Canada Strong
The federal government’s proposed Budget 2025, titled "Canada Strong," has sparked mixed reactions among business executives. Some describe it as a missed opportunity, while others see it as a transformative plan for the national economy.
Key Provisions and Goals
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne introduced the budget on Tuesday, highlighting tax reforms aimed at attracting major infrastructure investment and fostering innovation. The proposal reflects Ottawa’s effort to strengthen domestic growth and reduce economic reliance on the United States by seeking new trade partners.
Business Leaders’ Perspectives
“This budget is predominantly an inputs budget, where we’re seeing the government willing to commit billions of dollars for things like dual-purpose defence technology; lots of what could potentially become investments.”
Benjamin Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Investors, told BNN Bloomberg the budget represents a meaningful step toward building trust with innovators. However, he underscored the importance of determining “the mechanisms we’re going to use to capture wealth.”
Domestic Growth and Sovereignty
Bergen also emphasized that while international trade expansion is valuable, the government should focus more on encouraging Canadian firms to buy from one another. He argued that converting government spending into domestic prosperity and stronger sovereignty should remain a central priority.
Author Summary
The 2025 federal budget has split business leaders, balancing optimism for innovation and investment with concerns over its ability to generate lasting domestic wealth.