Budget 2026: Liberals announce new temporary funding for CBC, local journalism program

Ottawa is renewing a $150 million funding top-up for CBC/Radio-Canada for the next two years — but the federal budget didn’t mention a mandate review for the public broadcaster, which has long been sought by advocates. The budget, tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday, announced an additional $300 million for CBC will be distributed through the 2027-28 fiscal year. Last year’s budget had introduced a one-time $150 million injection, though the government hadn’t yet committed to further support for the Crown corporation prior to the budget. The new funding will help offset a $192 million year-over-year decrease facing the CBC outlined in the federal government’s spending estimates for 2026-27. The organization is currently slated to receive $1.38 billion over the fiscal year. “Canada’s public broadcaster — CBC/Radio-Canada — has been a staple of Canadian art and culture since it began in 1936,” read the fiscal document. “We are continuing to invest in CBC/Radio-Canada to ensure that it remains a strong and trusted national institution that connects Canadians, reflects our stories and values, and reinforces a shared sense of identity.” Advocacy groups had been hoping Budget 2026 would introduce a stabilized long-term funding model for the public broadcaster, as well as a commitment to update the CBC’s mandate, which has gone untouched since 1991, though neither materialized in the government’s economic plan. During last year’s federal election campaign, the Liberals promised to “strengthen” the CBC’s mandate by reworking its funding system, improving accountability, and bolstering the broadcaster’s local news coverage. Ahead of the budget, Sebastien Higgins, director of communications for the advocacy group Friends of Canadian Media, told The Wire Report a new mandate is needed to “take the CBC into the 21st century.” “We know the government has a lot of priorities on their plate right now,” said Higgins. “We can’t predict the future, but we’re confident this falls within their mandate, falls within what they promised to Canadians.” Journalism tax credit extended to broadcasters Budget 2026 also included the widely-anticipated decision to expand a journalism labour tax credit to radio and television broadcasters, which had previously been ineligible. Under the changes, broadcasters would be eligible to receive a 35 per cent credit for a journalist’s salary or hourly wages, up to a maximum of $29,750 per person (expenditures are currently capped at $85,000). That rate was scheduled to fall back to 25 per cent at the end of the calendar year, though Budget 2026 extended the increased level through 2028. To qualify, employees must spend at least 75 per cent of their time working on the production or post-production of original news content for a qualified journalistic organization. The extension is set to take effect immediately, and the Liberals promised to introduce relevant amendments to the Income Tax Act in Parliament. Extending the tax credit to broadcasters is expected to cost $501 million over the next six fiscal years, according to government estimates. The Liberals had previously floated the policy change in this past year’s spring economic update. The government also conducted a public consultation on the idea over the summer. “A strong country is one where people feel connected to it, and to each other,” said Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice—Champlain, Que.) during his speech in the House of Commons. “Our writers, musicians, filmmakers, journalists, and artists are carrying Canada’s voice to the four corners of the country.” “This is why we want to give them the best chances of succeeding at home. With Budget 2026, we will… support the publishers, local journalists, and cultural institutions that bring our stories to life.” Champagne’s budget also included $134 million over four years for the Local Journalism Initiative in an effort to support “independent, reliable, and diverse local news organisations across the country.” The program, which helps outlets hire additional reporters, was also allocated $41 million on an “ongoing” basis. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

Budget 2026: Liberals announce new temporary funding for CBC, local journalism program

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By Davis Legree
|November 5, 2026

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Budget 2026: Liberals announce new temporary funding for CBC, local journalism program

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