Takeaways from the 2025 Post-Budget Breakfast
The Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal’s annual Post-Budget Breakfast brought together business, government, and community leaders to unpack how Budget 2025 will shape Canada’s, and Ottawa’s, economic future.
Featuring insights from Ryan Turnbull, MP for Whitby and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue; Mayor Mark Sutcliffe; and Gavin Miranda, Regional Tax Leader for Eastern Ontario at MNP, the event also included a dynamic panel with The Honourable Jenna Sudds, MP for Kanata and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement; Brian P. McGuire, President and CEO of Associated Equipment Distributors; and Kevin Page, founding President and CEO of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy. Together, they examined fiscal priorities, economic challenges, and emerging opportunities for Ottawa businesses to innovate, invest, and thrive in a changing economic landscape.
Here were the top takeaways:
Public Service Shifts Could Reshape Ottawa’s Local Economy
With federal workforce reductions projected to affect up to 20,000 jobs in the Ottawa–Gatineau region over the next few years, local consumer spending and confidence may fluctuate. Mayor Sutcliffe emphasized the importance of clear communication from the federal government to help businesses and families plan ahead.
Defense Investment Will Spark New Business Partnerships
The federal government’s $6.6 billion Defense Industrial Strategy marks a significant opportunity for Ottawa’s 330+ aerospace, defense, and security firms. These investments will strengthen local supply chains and create new opportunities for contracts, research, and innovation partnerships.
Federal Budget Prioritizes Economic Competitiveness
MP Turnbull described Budget 2025 as a plan to “Build, Protect, and Empower” the Canadian economy. It prioritizes productivity, innovation, and long-term growth, with $110 billion allocated to competitiveness measures and new tools to help Canadian businesses scale globally. The new Build Canada Strong Fund will direct investments toward housing, healthcare, and climate-resilient infrastructure across the country. For Ottawa, this fund represents a pathway for public-private collaboration, unlocking resources for projects that strengthen communities, support local industries, and generate lasting economic benefits.
New Business Tax Measures Encourage Investment
The introduction of a productivity super deduction allows businesses to immediately expense new capital investments. Combined with expanded SR&ED credits for R&D, these measures create powerful incentives for companies to modernize operations and invest in innovation.
Innovation and Technology Sectors Poised for Growth 
With $1.33 billion in new federal funding for AI and quantum computing, Ottawa’s tech sector is well-positioned to lead. The government’s commitment to expanding the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre further cements Ottawa’s role as a national innovation hub and opens the door for new partnerships in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
Expanded Trade and Procurement Pathways for SMEs
Budget 2025 enhances support for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through improved access to government procurement and expanded trade diversification programs. Ottawa businesses will benefit from new advisory resources to help identify international markets and connect with export opportunities beyond the U.S.
Collaboration is Ottawa’s Strategic Advantage
Throughout the event, speakers underscored a shared message: Ottawa’s economic resilience depends on collaboration. By aligning efforts across government, business, and community sectors, the region can navigate fiscal change, foster innovation, and strengthen its position as one of Canada’s most dynamic and connected business ecosystems.
As Ottawa’s business community adapts to new fiscal realities, the Ottawa Board of Trade remains a leading advocate for inclusive growth, innovation, and competitiveness. You can read our full statement on the 2025 Federal Budget here. Together, we can build a stronger, smarter, and more connected capital for all.