Business, Events, Provincial

On October 21, 2025, Edmonton’s small business community started Small Business Week with an open and practical talk from the Hon. Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade, and Immigration. He explained what Alberta is doing to help entrepreneurs and grow the economy.

The event, hosted by Chamber President & CEO Doug Griffiths, brought together local business owners and leaders for a keynote speech and fireside chat after a private roundtable with select Chamber members. Minister Schow said that while Alberta still has strong tax and cost advantages, success now depends more on attracting skilled workers, speeding up approvals, and improving access to markets. Alberta currently leads the country in job growth, with over 70,000 new jobs added in the past year, but the Minister noted that numbers alone don’t show the whole picture.

Our Key Takeaways:

Aligning Immigration with Workforce Needs

The Minister explained that Alberta wants greater control over economic immigration so the province can better match newcomers’ skills with what local employers need. He pointed out that the number of non-permanent residents has grown by 250% since 2021—from about 75,000 to more than 300,000. The Alberta government plans to adjust policies to build the kind of workforce the province needs. There will be a continued focus on bringing in skilled workers and making it easier for employers to hire people with in-demand skills.

Tackling Youth Unemployment & Skills Gaps

With youth unemployment at 17.5%—the highest in Canada—the government is introducing programs like the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive and expanding Indigenous employment partnerships to help young Albertans gain practical, job-ready skills. Employers continue to value soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. The Minister also identified an opportunity for post-secondary schools to continue matching their programs to real-world needs, offering more hands-on learning through polytechnics and partnerships with industry.

Edmonton: Canada’s Entrepreneurial City

Edmonton is overwhelmingly powered by small business with 94% of business in Edmonton being small businesses. The Minister characterized Edmonton as an entrepreneurial city and urged owners to keep engaging with their MLAs and the Chamber so barriers can be identified and addressed quickly.

Speed Matters: Permitting, Red Tape & Municipal Processes

Competitiveness increasingly depends on how fast firms can start, expand, and hire. The Minister called for permitting and approvals that move “at the speed of business,” alongside continued red‑tape reduction to lower costs and uncertainty. According to the Government of Alberta, taxpayers have been saved over $3B to date from their red tape reductions measures.

Trade Diversification Won’t Happen Overnight

Alberta’s success depends on strong connections to customers across Canada and around the world. The Minister highlighted the province’s focus on removing trade barriers between provinces, keeping strong ties with the United States, and investing in infrastructure like railways, highways, and airports to support global trade. Alberta has already removed about 80% of its trade exceptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement and noted that more than 90% of the province’s exports went to the United States last year.

Programs to Leverage Now

Alberta Export Expansion Program ($2M in annual funding to help firms attend trade shows and reach new buyers), Trade Accelerator Program, Business Link, Futurpreneur, and concierge‑style supports that help firms plan their next stage of growth were highlighted by the Minister.

Looking Ahead

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring the voice of business is heard in these critical conversations. We will continue to work closely with government to advocate for policies that support economic growth, business competitiveness, and a strong future for Alberta.