Ottawa’s 2025 federal budget is drawing cautious praise and criticism from across the country as the government pledges a decade-long, $51 billion investment in Canadian infrastructure.
Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the Build Communities Strong Fund, a central pillar of Budget 2025, which promises to modernize hospitals, schools, roads, and water systems. The initiative aims to spur more than $1 trillion in overall investment over five years while strengthening Canada’s economic independence and productivity.
The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) called the budget “a reason for optimism,” highlighting the infrastructure funding and removal of the federal portion of HST on first-time home purchases as positive steps. But Executive Director Nadia Todorova said results will depend on Ottawa’s ability to move quickly to get “shovels in the ground.”
The United Steelworkers union said the budget reflects key priorities such as Buy-Canadian procurement and industrial investment but warned that public service cuts could hurt workers who rely on programs like Employment Insurance. National Director Marty Warren said the real test will be whether new commitments “translate into real jobs and production on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Build Canada, a network of entrepreneurs and civic leaders, said the budget “gets some of the direction right” but lacks the boldness and urgency needed to truly unlock growth.
Budget 2025 also includes $60 billion in savings over five years, with major capital investments in housing, defence, and productivity.
For more on the budget, visit Government of Canada releases Budget 2025: Canada Strong – Canada.ca
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
