A Plan for Economic Growth that Puts People First
City processes should enable business, not create barriers
I have an ambitious vision for Edmonton’s economy: a city where entrepreneurs can test bold new ideas, existing businesses thrive, we are a top choice for trade and investment, residents and visitors enjoy vibrant experiences, and youth see a bright future here.
City processes should accelerate, not hinder, opportunity. Red tape and delays shouldn’t stand in the way of growth. As Mayor, I will make Edmonton the place where business moves at the speed of ideas.
My Commitments as Mayor
Business Concierge Managers: Pair every business license applicant with a dedicated City staff contact whose mission is to get businesses across the finish line — open, operating, and thriving. This one-on-one support will cut delays, simplify regulatory steps, and help entrepreneurs find the most efficient, affordable path to launch.
Backing Bold Ideas: Expand resources and capacity to support complex projects and large-scale commercial ventures. Edmonton should be the place where ambitious, innovative concepts — the bolder the better — take root and grow.
Cutting Red Tape: Eliminate outdated requirements and streamline regulations so businesses can open faster and at lower cost. We should promote innovation, not punish it.
Smart, Automated Approvals: Expand automated approvals for all routine and low-risk applications — from renovations and upgrades to everyday business permits — reducing wait times and freeing City staff to focus on complex cases.
Stay and Grow in Edmonton: Launch a “Stay and Grow” commitment to help businesses not just start, but scale. By connecting entrepreneurs to new markets, talent, and resources, Edmonton will be known as the city where businesses plant roots and thrive long-term.
Edmonton is positioned as the destination of choice for investment and industrial development
It’s time to be louder about who we are in Edmonton. As Mayor, I will work with our economic development agencies and private-sector partners to position Edmonton as the primary destination for investment and industrial development in Western Canada — both domestically and internationally.
Edmonton already has the right ingredients: strong institutions, committed economic development partners, an unmatched community spirit, and a bold ability to lead. As Mayor, I will bring these strengths together to build an economy that is resilient, future-focused, and inclusive of every Edmontonian.
My Commitments as Mayor
Targeted Incentives for Industrial Growth in Priority Sectors: Expand incentive programs to attract investment in seven high-growth areas: advanced manufacturing, AI and technology, food processing, health and life sciences, transportation and logistics, energy and clean technology, and emerging industries.
Competitive Advantage on Taxation: Explore opportunities for competitive taxation in strategic areas to make Edmonton the location of choice for target industries.
Leverage Edmonton’s Inland Port: Enhance trade by capitalizing on Edmonton’s unique position as an inland port — with direct air access, road links to the U.S. and Mexico, sea access through Prince Rupert and Vancouver, and rail connections to 8 provinces, 16 U.S. states, and Mexico.
Retain and Grow Industrial Businesses: Develop programs to support the retention, expansion, and long-term success of Edmonton’s existing industrial employers.
Accelerate the Innovation District: Fast-track the development of Edmonton’s Innovation District, positioning it as the next global hub for AI, technology, and next-generation innovation.
Advance Edmonton’s Role in Emerging Industries: Position Edmonton as a leader in high-growth, future-focused sectors such as e-sports and digital innovation, diversifying our economy and attracting new investment. Actions will include advocating for the reinstatement of provincial tax incentives for digital industries, and reprofiling City investments to strengthen support for screen industries, with a specific emphasis on gaming.
Improve Connectivity: Collaborate with the Province, Explore Edmonton, airlines, and transportation partners to strengthen Edmonton’s position as a connected hub. This includes attracting more direct flights to and from YEG International Airport, upgrading the route connecting Downtown and the YEG International Airport, supporting the advancement of high-speed rail to Calgary, and strategically leveraging passenger routes that draw visitors, talent, and investment into our city.
Leverage Edmonton’s Post-Secondary Strengths: Partnering with Edmonton Unlimited, AMII, Edmonton Global, the Edmonton Research Park, and local post-secondary institutions to increase commercialization of research, launch new start-ups, scale promising businesses, and attract investment and venture capital.
Edmonton’s main streets are vibrant, accessible, and alive with economic activity — in all neighborhoods, at all times, and in all seasons
Economic development and vibrancy go hand in hand. Families choose cities that are affordable and filled with opportunities to live, work, and play. Businesses thrive where there are natural opportunities for collisions, collaboration, and energetic customer bases. Tourists are drawn to places where they can explore, learn, and immerse themselves in unique local experiences. Young people are drawn to cities that are vibrant, affordable, and alive with activity — places where there’s always something to do, day or night, in every season. Edmonton’s affordability may draw people to this city, but the activity is what keeps them here.
Edmonton’s main streets and business improvement areas offer the perfect platform to meet these needs. They are a strategic, return-filled opportunity for investment in economic development, vibrancy, and community connectivity.
My Commitments as Mayor
Strategically position Edmonton’s main streets and business improvement areas (BIAs) as economic hubs, built on increased residential density and year-round activity. These hubs will benefit from targeted programming, including:
Citywide Vibrancy Fund: Dedicated to enhanced cleaning, beautification, festivals, and business attraction and retention initiatives across all main streets and BIAs.
BIA Infrastructure Renewal Program: Ensuring main streets and BIAs are prioritized in City infrastructure renewal and long-term planning.
Integrated Social Supports: Improved access to social supports to address the impacts of social disorder in commercial districts.
Vacant & Derelict Property Program: Targeted strategies to cut down high vacancy rates and revitalize underused properties, including advocating to the province to formalize penalties for derelict commercial properties.
Reduced Red Tape: Automatic approvals for priority initiatives and applications, including attractive, all-season patios in designated main street and BIA areas.
Targeted Incentive Programming: Property tax incentives and initiatives designed to increase residential opportunities in Downtown, BIAs and main streets.
Ambitiously implement the City’s Nighttime Economy Strategy to support economic activity between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. with a focus on safety, accessibility, and vibrancy.
Ensure that City supports and regulatory services (e.g., permitting, bylaw support, emergency contacts) are accessible to businesses operating outside standard hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Reimagine Edmonton as a 24-hour city with diverse offerings in food, arts, retail, transportation, and nightlife that serve a range of residents, workers, and visitors during all hours of the day.
Review opportunities to regulate shisha establishments in the City, ensuring additional regulations to ensure worker safety - this measure is necessary to counter illicit shisha establishments that are currently occurring.
Support sectors that benefit from vibrant main streets, ensuring small businesses, cultural industries, and local entrepreneurs can flourish in accessible, high-activity areas.
Prioritize the music, arts and creative sector in main streets and BIAs — by growing jobs, attracting more visitors, and making space for artists and creative entrepreneurs to thrive.
Grow Edmonton's profile locally, nationally and internationally as a hub for tourism, event attraction and festivals.
Major events create employment opportunities, give more reason for people to choose Edmonton, and create a more vibrant city for everybody. As Mayor, I will work with Explore Edmonton, and other economic development partners to promote Edmonton’s visitor economy and position the city as a top-tier destination for:
Concerts & tours, leveraging our world-class small, mid-sized and large-scale music and entertainment venues
Sporting events & tournaments, prioritizing City assets capable of hosting national and international competitions that put Edmonton on the global stage.
Conferences & major conventions, raising Edmonton’s profile in global markets and attracting visitors, investment, and opportunities.
Better leverage major events, festivals, conferences, and sporting events as platforms to tell Edmonton’s economic story, facilitate investment, and showcase our city as the destination for business and talent.
Market Edmonton to Edmontonians to strengthen civic pride and support local tourism and commerce.
Edmonton’s economy is diverse, resilient and adaptable, built to withstand economic shocks and remain strong through change
The last few years have exposed the cracks in Edmonton’s economic foundation - we are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic, almost five years later. Tariffs, trade disruptions and other economic shocks consistently test businesses’ ability to survive and strain the City’s budget. It’s clear that we need to rebuild our foundation for today’s economy — one that is less predictable, more volatile, yet responsive to innovation and resilience.
Edmonton has what it takes: innovation, community, and grit. As Mayor, I will ensure we harness the City's strengths to build an economic environment that can not only survive disruption, but emerge stronger from it.
My Commitments as Mayor
Help connect and promote programs across the city that build skills and prepare Edmontonians for the jobs of today and tomorrow—ensuring a resilient, future-ready workforce.
Leverage the City’s buying power to:
Support the creation of more skilled trade jobs in Edmonton by leveraging the City’s Sustainable procurement policy to increase apprenticeships.
Ensure that Edmontonians are seeing the community benefits of City procurement..
Continue to ensure Indigenous-led businesses can access city contracts, particularly on projects that most impact Indigenous people.
Explore opportunities to buy Canadian and buy local. Work with the Federal government to offset any additional cost incurred to “Buy Canadian” procurement strategies.
Invest intentionally in City-Building and housing enabling infrastructure, in partnership with the federal government, to create and support good jobs in our City.
Work with community and economic development partners to create a targeted strategy to tackle youth unemployment. Each year, Edmonton graduates tens of thousands of highly skilled, highly educated young people. Our city should be a place of economic opportunity — where graduates are supported, trained, and shaped into world-class talent — not a place where they face limited prospects and despair.
Strengthen our economy by ensuring everyone can fully participate:
Ensure City programs and services are equipped to support business opportunities for diverse and equity-deserving communities, removing systemic barriers so that equity-deserving entrepreneurs can thrive and fully participate in Edmonton’s economy.
Ensure City processes and programs are optimized to support Indigenous businesses - reduce barriers to navigating City processes and requirements, promote entrepreneurship opportunities, and improve Indigenous knowledge of doing business with the City.
Work with Indigenous communities, entrepreneurs, and partners to grow sustainable Indigenous tourism opportunities in Edmonton that showcase culture and create lasting benefits.
Ensure that First Nations, Indigenous peoples and businesses are meaningfully included in City strategies and programming related to economic development, business attraction, and industrial investment.
Support TRC Call to Action 92(ii)- ensuring that Indigenous peoples have access to jobs, training, and educational opportunities with the City, and that Indigenous communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
