CCI's 2027 Pre-Budget Recommendations for the Alberta Government

Growing a technology company in Alberta requires access to investment, skilled talent and customers willing to put new solutions to work. Budget 2027 can strengthen all three while helping the province improve public services and build on its economic advantages.

For homegrown companies, the barriers are concrete. Promising health technologies can struggle to move from pilot projects into procurement contracts. Scaling businesses compete for specialized workers and investment capital. Major data centre developments could create opportunities for local suppliers, researchers and technology firms if those connections are built into project expectations.

Alberta also has an opportunity to help companies developing technologies with both commercial and defence applications secure early customers. Public purchasing in areas such as emergency management, environmental monitoring and transportation can help these businesses validate products, generate revenue and reach international markets.

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is putting forward five recommendations for Budget 2027 to help Alberta turn these opportunities into stronger companies, better public services and high-value jobs:

1. Maintain Alberta’s competitive advantage by re-introducing the Alberta Investor Tax Credit.
   ‍
2. Provide efficient, improved healthcare for more Albertans by creating an Alberta Health Innovation Pathway within Alberta Shared Services with representation from Alberta Technology and Innovation, Alberta Innovates, Amii.
   
   
3. Use data centre infrastructure investment to support Alberta’s tech ecosystems.
   ‍
4. Train and retain skilled talent by aligning labour force programs with local firms’ needs.
   ‍
5. Allow more dual-use and defence technologies to scale in Alberta by creating an Alberta Third Frontier procurement arm within the existing DEFENDS program aimed specifically at procuring domestic dual-use technology.

‍

About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity. Learn more at canadianinnovators.org.