Ottawa’s pre‑budget tour stops in Yukon to gather northern input for 2026 plan
Published 5:00 pm Friday, July 24, 2026
Northern feedback gathered in Whitehorse this week will help inform federal decisions on territorial investment and infrastructure funding, and could factor into talks about raising the $1.2‑billion debt cap, according to Wayne Long, Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency.
Long described his July 23 stop in Whitehorse as a national pre‑budget consultation tour as a key step in building Budget 2026, noting that regional input routinely influences federal spending priorities.
During a phone interview, Long said the federal government is seeking northern direction on housing, infrastructure and critical minerals development, adding that investment in the territories is viewed internally as both an economic and sovereignty priority.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that the North is rich in natural resources, in critical minerals, and you know we want to invest in the North,” Long said.
He said the federal government wants to hear whether communities believe the federal government is on the right track or whether adjustments are needed, describing the consultation process as a way to identify gaps, refine programs and respond to emerging regional pressures.
“The budget is one chapter in a big book. It’s not a beginning or an end. It’s a process, and we want to continue to improve,” Long said.
Many of the themes raised during last year’s consultations in Kelowna, Brandon and Fredericton ultimately appeared in Budget 2025, a pattern Long expects the federal government to repeat in the upcoming cycle. Northern feedback is expected to play an important role as Ottawa shapes Budget 2026.
“The feedback that we get does go into making that budget,” Long said.
The secretary of state highlighted the North’s role in critical minerals and major‑project development, saying federal investment in the region is considered essential to long‑term competitiveness. He referenced existing programs such as the Arctic Infrastructure Fund and the Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program.
Long said meetings in Whitehorse with Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, Mayor Kirk Cameron and Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers are aimed at gathering feedback on territorial infrastructure needs, including health‑related capital projects, that he will take back to Ottawa as part of the federal budget process.
Municipal and territorial priorities are a key focus of the consultations, with Long noting widespread infrastructure deficits across the country. Programs such as the Housing Accelerator Fund and Green Inclusive Building Fund were designed to give local governments more direct support.
The Yukon government’s request to raise its debt cap is also expected to be part of those discussions. Long said the premier has already spoken with Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne about the issue, and that the federal government will “look at that” and “do what we can to support” the territory.
Feedback gathered in Whitehorse will be relayed to Champagne and the prime minister, forming part of the evidence the federal government weighs when assessing territorial financial pressures tied to energy, health care and other capital needs.
Long said regional input has shaped previous budgets, pointing to investments in Build Canada Homes, productivity measures, major‑project energy funding and increased support for trades training and small craft harbours. He said those decisions reflected themes heard consistently across communities.
He acknowledged concerns raised about access to the Housing Accelerator Fund, saying the program was designed to provide direct municipal funding to reduce red tape and encourage density. He said federal officials are open to revisiting the model if needed.
Long said weekly internal meetings allow federal officials to compare feedback from across the country and identify common priorities, adding that new initiatives could emerge as consultations continue.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com