Question Period Note: Main Estimates 2026–2027

Main Estimates 2026–2027

• The budget of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions supports Quebec businesses and communities through strategic investments in grants and contributions.
• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is a key federal player in Quebec’s entrepreneurial network, both through the projects it funds and through its role as a networker and integrator.
• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions implements its program and various ad hoc initiatives tailored to Quebec’s regional realities with a budget of $415.8 million in 2026–2027.

• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions supports Quebec’s SMEs and regions in building a more innovative, stronger, cleaner, and more inclusive economy.
• $360.1 million—86.6% of the budget in the form of grants and contributions—will directly support Quebec businesses and communities during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

• The 2026–2027 Main Estimates contains a detailed list of the resources CED requires during the coming fiscal year to deliver the programs under its purview. This document sets out the spending authorities (credits) as well as the amounts to be included in subsequent appropriation bills that the government will ask Parliament to approve.
• The 2026–2027 Main Estimates total $415.8 million, including $360.1 million in grants and contributions, $48.6 million in operating expenses, and $7.1 million in appropriations.
**Operating expenses
*** 2025-26 : $45,1 M
*** 2026-27 : $48.6 M
*** Difference : $3.5 M
** Grants and contributions
*** 2025-26 : $280,0 M
*** 2026-27 : $360.1 M
*** Difference : $80.1 M
** Contributions to employee benefit plans
*** 2025-26 : $6,1 M
*** 2026-27 : $7.1 M
*** Difference : $1.0 M
** Total
*** 2025-26 : $331.2 M
*** 2026-27 : $415.8 M
*** Difference : $84.6 M
* Totals may not match due to rounding.
** Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
*** 2025-26 : 370
*** 2026-27 : 357
*** Difference : - 13

• The operating budget of $48.6 million includes $43.3 million for employee payroll and $5.3 million for other operating expenses.
• The budgets for grants and contributions by initiative are as follows:
** Regional Economic Growth through Innovation: $155.2 million;
** Regional Tariff Response Initiative: $65.6 million;
** Quebec Economic Development Program: $59.5 million;
** Community Futures Program: $35.0 million;
** Regional defence investment initiative: $21.6 million;
** Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative: $9.6 million;
** Black Entrepreneurship Program: $5.0 million;
** Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund: $2.6 million;
** Regional Quantum Initiative: $2.2 million;
** Local Projects: $2.1 million;
** The Economic Development Initiative: $1.8 million.
• The difference between the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 main budgets stems from the addition of new initiatives, changes in funding for existing initiatives, and the termination of programs.
** The Regional Tariff Response Initiative and the Regional Defense Investment Initiative are new initiatives.
** Certain initiatives have ended, such as the supplementary grant for the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program and the Tourism Growth Program.

This Main Estimates document sets forth the financial requirements for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The 2026–2027 Main Estimates were prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Treasury Board Secretariat.