On November 5, 2026, the federal government tabled its 2026 Budget: Masters of Our Destiny. The Federation is encouraged to see recognition of the value of Canada's cultural sovereignty.
Budget 2026 invests $783.1 million over five years to support Canada’s national museums and Library and Archives Canada, which remain cornerstones of research, knowledge creation, and dissemination in the humanities and social sciences. The federal government also announced $20 million over four years and $5 million ongoing to renew and increase the Canada Book Fund, which supports organizations associated with Canadian publishing.
Moreover, the federal government announced plans to host the 2028 Francophonie Summit, bringing together up to 90 member nations to showcase Francophonie culture, history, research, and innovation. This summit offers a unique opportunity to spotlight the invaluable work of our Francophone researchers across Canada.
Budget 2026 also announced $6.2 million over four years to support Canada’s participation in the Global Partnership on AI through the International Centre of Expertise in Montreal, advancing the responsible development of AI, an area where humanities and social sciences expertise remains critical.
Finally, the federal government announced additional support for the Post-Secondary Student Support Program. The program will receive $437.9 million over five years to support the next generation of First Nations leaders, professionals, and skilled workers. Bolstering supports and spotlighting Indigenous leaders and knowledge holders remains essential to research and knowledge creation.
The humanities and social sciences remain essential to addressing pressing challenges, and further support and investments in these disciplines are essential to Canada’s prosperous, democratic, and sovereign future.
The Federation will continue to work with the government and partners to ensure that the humanities and sciences can contribute to the federal government’s investments in Canadian culture and our communities.
Links
- Budget 2026: Masters of our Destiny
- The federal government’s Media Release and Highlights
- The Federation’s 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation