Business, City of Edmonton, Events, Municipal, Policy

At the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Leaders Dinner on February 12, 2026, Chamber CEO Doug Griffiths hosted Mayor Andrew Knack for a candid Q&A, joined by Edmonton City councillors, City Manager Eddie Robar, and senior executives within City Administration 

This event was curated to bring Edmonton Chamber members and the broader business community together for an opportunity to connect directly with municipal leaders and focus on the economic priorities that shape business growth. Nearly 200 members of our business community helped launch what is quickly becoming a meaningful annual tradition centred on Edmonton’s economic future. 

Below are our key takeaways from the discussion with Mayor Knack: 

• Safety requires all three orders of government. Attendees heard from Mayor Knack how prevention, treatment to housing transitions, and reintegration need to work in tandem with policing. He noted that Edmonton holds around three times the inmates compared to Calgary, and when those individuals are released, they're dropped into the downtown core with no transition plan; something impending federal bail reform may help address. Lastly, it was highlighted how the city has shifted security officers to peace officers on key LRT stations to improve perceptions and realities of safety.  

• Downtown activation is about people, not just policy. The conversation focused on housing developments advancing near key downtown anchors like the arena district and Convention Centre. The goal is simple: a downtown that feels busy, welcoming, and safe from morning to evening. 

• The four year budget starts with strategy, not numbers. Council is centering shared priorities and outcomes first, then measures and dollars. Multiple engagement points are planned ahead of final decisions, and there will be opportunities for business-led partnerships where they deliver measurable value. He was blunt: some programs will have to lose city funding, and the business community will need to help fill those gaps. 

• The “pebbles in your shoe”. Doug asked for the small, specific things that if changed, would make a real difference. Mayor Knack pointed to council’s growing risk aversion since COVID and the need to give administration more room to test ideas. Councillor Rutherford stressed making it easier for communities to achieve small goals without red tape. Councillor Clark highlighted simple wins, like allowing patio drinks in the river valley to boost tourism. Councillor Paquette spoke about unlocking Rossdale through an Indigenous partnership model to attract investment and build a new destination district. 

• The economy unlocks everything else. City Manager Eddie Robar noted that a stronger non-residential tax base creates room for progress on services and infrastructure. Streamlined permitting, predictable timelines, and smarter local procurement practices were identified as near-term levers to help local firms invest, hire, and scale. 

The evening closed with a direct call to action from Mayor Knack: “be active from February to November and share your ideas. There's a lot of work to do.” 

The Edmonton Chamber extends its thanks to our contributing sponsor, BOMA Edmonton + North for their support of this event.  

Stay tuned for more from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce about the upcoming municipal budget.