2026 St. John’s Budget Falls Short for Local Businesses

The city’s 2026 budget is concerning as there are no considerations being made for the business community. This past year has been incredibly challenging, with a record number of closures. In response, there was considerable focus and discussion on what businesses, especially those in the downtown core, need to operate sustainably. The City of St. John’s brought the business community together across sectors and industries to hear directly about the pressures they were facing and to explore practical solutions. The Board of Trade also shared a report based on our own engagement with businesses.

This budget does not prioritize the critical areas that businesses identified as being necessary for the sustainability of their operations and our community, such as safety and security, infrastructure improvement, beautification enhancements, etc.

While we acknowledge the investment in economic development initiatives the city has made–the economic activity it promotes can only continue if there is a vibrant business community to support it.

Businesses are facing an unprecedented amount of uncertainty—including rising costs, staffing pressures, and shifting market conditions. When they are invited to share solutions, it’s reasonable to expect that their input will shape decisions. By not acting on these priorities, this budget misses an important opportunity to address real challenges, and without meaningful action, the pressures on local businesses and the broader economy will persist.

City of St. John’s Downtown Forward Secondary Plan for Downtown St. John’s (Released May 2025)