Alberta budget includes data centre levy, cybersecurity spending
We notice the 2026 Alberta budget includes funding for the Ministry of Technology and Innovation to develop digital government services, protect privacy and personal information, and support startups and innovators.
The budget allocates $5.5 million to advance AI adoption across the government. It also includes $40 million toward software upgrades after the province identified "critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities." The budget introduces a levy on large data centres of up to 2%, with lower rates available to data centres that provide their own power solutions. The levy is expected to generate $102 million in revenue when it comes into effect in 2028.
The government has allocated $141 million to Alberta Innovates, which is about 30% less than last year. Alberta Innovates CEO Mike Mahon said in May, when the funding cut was made known, that the organization would have to cut or consolidate some of the programs it offers. The provincial budget also includes $25 million to support AI, quantum science, and defence innovation. To measure whether Alberta is successful in attracting investment, the government will track sponsored research revenue at Alberta's research universities. It has a target of reaching $1.42 billion by 2029. The government will also track the cumulative value of the Alberta Enterprise Corporation's venture capital funds, with a goal of hitting $1.75 billion by 2029.
