Edmonton Chamber calls for a Mayor’s Fiscal Task Force within 120 days to turn data into direction and deliver options for a sustainable, regionally competitive trajectory.

EDMONTON, AB — The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce today released its 2025 State of the Economy Report, providing the most comprehensive and data-driven analysis of Edmonton’s economic strengths and challenges to date. 

The report offers a clear and honest view of where Edmonton stands, and where it must focus its efforts to continue to build confidence, competitiveness, and growth. It shows that while the city’s fundamentals remain strong, momentum has slowed, with rising costs, high per-capita debt, and lagging job growth compared to peer metros. 

“Edmonton’s business community has been advocating for support to city council for the past four years,” said Doug Griffiths, President & CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “The reality is, we need focus. We need a council and mayor that will help restore confidence in the city’s direction. This report delivers clear, independent data on Edmonton’s fiscal position, not to criticize but to clarify. Confidence grows from clarity — and clarity starts with collaboration.” 

To turn data into direction, the Chamber is calling on Mayor-elect Andrew Knack and the new City Council to establish a Mayor’s Fiscal Task Force within 120 days. The Task Force would bring together civic, business, and financial leaders to review the City’s finances, programs, and debt. Within 24 months, we want the Fiscal Task Force to deliver practical options to return Edmonton to a sustainable, regionally competitive fiscal path. 

“This is a renewed moment for collaboration,” said Heather Thomson, Vice President, Economy and Engagement. “While much of Council remains the same, we have an opportunity under Mayor Knack’s leadership to refocus the relationship between business and government. This report gives everyone, the City, the business community, and our regional partners, a shared starting point for aligning around Edmonton’s next phase of growth.”

“We applaud the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for this important report, which provides valuable insight into the economic realities and opportunities shaping our region. The findings reinforce what we see every day — that affordability, workforce vitality, and regional collaboration are key to sustaining growth and competitiveness. BILD Edmonton Metro looks forward to partnering with industry, government, and community leaders to address these challenges together and help build a stronger, more inclusive Edmonton Metro Region.”  - Kalen Andersen, CEO & President, BILD

“Thank you to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce for producing the State of the Economy Report. Clarity is what builds confidence, and confidence is what drives investment, jobs, and thriving communities. When government, business, and community share the same understanding of our fiscal direction, Edmonton’s advantages become real and lasting. A Mayor’s Fiscal Task Force will help align us around the facts and strengthen the confidence our city needs to continue to grow.” - Mike Saunders, Senior Vice-President, Qualico

Developed in partnership with Resonance Consultancy and ATB Economics, the State of the Economy Report is designed as a bridge document following the municipal election, a foundation for collaboration, clarity, and accountability across government, business, and the region. 

The Chamber will continue this conversation at the State of the Economy Luncheon on November 7, 2025, to discuss how to translate this data into strategies that drive investment, growth, and shared prosperity. 

“Edmonton’s success fuels regional success,” added Griffiths. “This report is about building alignment, ambition, and accountability, because prosperity is a shared project, and it’s time to move forward together.” 

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