Federal political conversations are currently dominated by large-scale infrastructure mega projects which are intended to both stimulate the economy and be moments of nation building. But a strong nation relies on the social infrastructure that keeps communities healthy, safe, and connected. The nonprofit sector is the backbone of that social infrastructure. Every day, nonprofits deliver essential services, bridge systemic gaps, provide affordable cultural and recreational activities, and respond to growing community demands with increasingly stretched resources.
To explore how federal priorities align with frontline realities, we asked leaders from five nonprofits three key questions about Budget 2026: what they are watching for, what their communities need most, and what message they want federal decision-makers to hear.
What they are watching for in Budget 2026
Federal budget consultations provide a crucial avenue for nonprofits to advocate for targeted measures to address community needs. Osvaldo Arias, Executive Director of AGIR (Action LGBTQIA+ avec les ImmigrantEs et RéfugiéEs) highlights that he will be watching for funding for refugee reception and settlement services and want to see "2SLGBTQIA+ migrants named as a priority population, rather than invisibilized." Robin Sokoloski, Director of Programming and Research at Mass Culture points to the necessity of a permanent $140-million annual increase to the Canada Council for the Arts budget. She also wants to see strong AI and copyright protections, noting that these steps "would strengthen artists’ livelihoods and Canada’s cultural sovereignty."
Rabia Khedr, CEO of Disability Without Poverty, emphasizes the need for a time-bound plan to increase the Canada Disability Benefit to end disability poverty, cautioning that "at $200 a month, it will not." Fatema Abdalla, Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy at the National Council of Canadian Muslims stresses the need for increased funding for community safety and anti-racism initiatives. She also highlights that she would like to see more funding dedicated to the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson so that its mandate can be broadened to provide more independent oversight of the Canada Revenue Agency. Finally, Ash Montgomery, Director of Communications at Apathy is Boring underscores the need to strengthen democratic resilience, reminding decision-makers that "protecting our democracy requires sustained investment in civic infrastructure, participation and the organizations doing this work."
On the ground realities - what communities need most
When asked about community needs, stable funding and increased protections for community priorities came up frequently. Arias highlights the need for predictable, multi-year core funding for small organizations serving marginalized communities alongside a faster, fairer asylum system. Khedr stresses the need for improvements to the Disability Tax Benefit, including an adequate income, automatic eligibility for provincial disability assistance recipients, and an end to clawbacks. Abdalla calls for concrete federal protection for Muslim communities through the development of a National Strategy to Combat Islamophobia.
In the arts and culture world, Sokoloski outlines the necessity for sustainable artistic working conditions including predictable public funding, affordable cultural spaces, income protections and creative-export support. Finally, Montgomery points out that Canada lacks dedicated funding mechanisms for democratic infrastructure and advocates for the creation of a Canadian Democracy Fund to support non-partisan civil society initiatives, citizen participation, and civic education.
What else these nonprofits want you to know
Beyond the focus on Budget 2026, Arias emphasizes that community-anchored organizations must be consulted early in government decision-making, noting that "a dollar invested in a small local organization produces an outsized impact." Montgomery makes the link between civic engagement and societal trust, noting that citizens who feel heard are “three times more likely to trust in their government.” Sokoloski frames arts and culture as essential social and economic infrastructure, stating that "supporting culture is an investment in Canada’s resilience, identity, and imagination." Finally, Khedr urges the government to design policies directly with disabled people, emphasizing the principle of "nothing about us without us."
Stay up-to-date with Budget 2026 news for nonprofits
We sincerely thank these organizations for sharing their perspectives on Budget 2026. Following the official budget release, expected some time this fall, Imagine Canada will publish a response statement highlighting key takeaways and implications for the nonprofit sector. Relevant updates will also be delivered directly to your inbox through the Early Alert, our weekly federal politics and advocacy newsletter for nonprofits.
