Edmonton Businesses Seek Change Amid Familiar Faces on Council

The recent municipal election in Edmonton indicates a continuation of familiar faces on the city council, as the majority of councillors appear set to retain their seats. With the votes still being tallied, local businesses express hope that their calls for change have resonated with both returning members and newly elected mayor, Andrew Knack. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce (ECC) emphasizes that the next four years will require tough, often unglamorous decisions.

Doug Griffiths, president and CEO of the ECC, remarked on the challenging road ahead. “For lack of a better term, it’s going to be a very unsexy four years, where hard decisions are going to have to be made,” Griffiths said. He noted that discussions may shift away from grand infrastructure projects to critical policy choices aimed at stabilizing the city’s finances.

As of mid-afternoon on election day, ballots were still being counted, but initial results suggest that eight councillors will be returning. Griffiths expressed surprise at the electorate’s decision to support many incumbents despite widespread dissatisfaction. “I think somebody’s going to write a book on this, because it doesn’t quite make sense,” he stated, highlighting the disconnect between voter sentiment and election outcomes.

In the lead-up to the elections, the ECC introduced its Municipal Action Plan for 2025, which outlines 14 recommendations covering areas such as construction, business development, and public safety. The plan reflects a desire for actionable policy changes that can support Edmonton’s economic recovery.

The Business Council of Alberta (BCA) also noted a growing consensus among its members about urgent local priorities. Mike Holden, vice president of policy at the BCA, pointed out that while municipal issues are typically outside their scope, the strong concerns voiced by members led to the identification of three key focus areas: efficient growth and development, renewed fiscal stewardship, and enhanced public safety.

Holden highlighted that the emphasis on public safety and crime issues is particularly notable. “At the top of that list, by a good margin, was public safety and crime issues much more so than anything that you might normally expect, like cutting taxes or reducing red tape and permitting time,” he explained. This shift in priorities underscores the pressing nature of safety concerns faced by residents and businesses alike.

Both Griffiths and Holden are optimistic that the new city councils across Alberta will engage with the business community to collaboratively address the significant challenges facing urban areas in the province. “A lot of businesses really just want to be involved. They want to participate. They want to work with governments to create vibrant and prosperous communities,” said Holden.

Griffiths cautioned that failing to foster cooperation could lead to dire financial consequences for the city. “The alternative of not working together is the bankruptcy of this city,” he warned, underscoring the importance of collaboration between government and the business sector.

As Edmonton prepares for another term with many familiar faces, the hope remains that these leaders will heed the calls for essential policy changes to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.